Mutual funds have transformed from a niche product to a ₹68 lakh crore ecosystem empowering millions. The formula for success is simple: Start early, invest regularly, diversify strategically, and ignore short-term noise. The article brings into the limelight the role that mutual funds can play in your investment journey 

Women are transforming their financial futures through mutual funds, breaking stereotypes and building wealth. Prajwal Wakhare explores how women can invest confidently, leverage SIPs, and navigate risks in this cover story. You will also learn why mutual funds are the key to financial empowerment, offering diversification, tax benefits, and liquidity. Take charge of your finances – start investing today! 

Tax loss harvesting and tax gain harvesting are powerful tools that can help investors optimise their portfolio returns by minimising the tax liabilities. While tax loss harvesting enables investors to offset losses strategically to reduce their tax burden, tax gain harvesting allows them to book profits without incurring taxes, promoting long-term tax efficiency 

Tax loss harvesting and tax gain harvesting are powerful tools that can help investors optimise their portfolio returns by minimising the tax liabilities. While tax loss harvesting enables investors to offset losses strategically to reduce their tax burden, tax gain harvesting allows them to book profits without incurring taxes, promoting long-term tax efficiency 

In the financial world, it is of utmost importance to be aware of what an investor or individual must avoid, rather than merely knowing what to do or adopt. So, in this article, not only will we discuss financial habits to build a strong 2025, but we will also focus on what should be avoided, which will ultimately help you significantly 

Gold has long been a culturally significant asset in India and has transitioned from being a physical commodity to an attractive investment option through gold funds. These funds, including gold exchange traded funds and gold fund of funds, provide a convenient means to gain exposure to gold without the complexities of owning and storing physical gold. The article explains what lies beyond the glitter 

As an investor, you may have parked your money in domestic mutual funds. But wouldn’t you also like to be a part of the growth story of such international companies as Tesla, Amazon or Google? If so, you can invest in international mutual funds that will not only help you reap rich rewards but also expand your portfolio in a way that provides for hedging during market downturns. The article explains the nittygritty of investing in international mutual funds while also outlining the risks involved 

While Norway stands out as a classic example of environmental, social and governance (ESG)- driven divestment through its sovereign wealth fund exiting investments in major oil, coal and mining companies, the scenario in India has been lagging behind with investor interest in ESG-promoting companies still to match the world standards. The article takes an overview of what ESG investing stands for and how it may shape up in the years to come 

Most of the investors are now well aware of the systematic investment plan (SIP) which helps in the accumulation of wealth over a period to be able to meet your financial commitments. But there is also another way in which you can increase your wealth, which is the way of the Step-Up SIP.

Choosing the right mutual fund is a critical decision that can significantly impact your financial future.

Exiting the market intelligently is just as crucial as entering it. We generally plan our entry through SIPs properly but forget to plan when and how to exit. To ensure a seamless exit, having a well-thought-out plan is essential, and for this, a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) can be a fruitful solution, not only for retirees but also for young investors with a good corpus. Rakesh Deshmukh takes a closer look at how SWP can work in your favour 

The article provides insights on how to factor human capital into your asset allocation strategy so that you accumulate wealth over the years and also set aside a corpus for your future needs such as higher education, buying a property, marriage-related expenditure, retirement funds, and so on

Adopting a middle-of-the-road approach, Smart Beta funds combine the aspects of reliability and creativity to offer investors profitable returns. They aim to outperform the traditional market indices without the unpredictability of active management. 

Never in history have the markets remained stable for such a long period. Volatility is the trademark of the markets that investors have to face up to. As such, what should be the strategy that investors must adopt to be able to stay invested and achieve long-term wealth generation goals? The article provides some salient tips 

Sectoral mutual funds are equity schemes that focus on specific sectors of the economy, such as automotive, BFSI, energy or infrastructure. They aim to invest in sectors anticipated to perform well while avoiding those expected to underperform. Rakesh Deshmukh takes you through the selection of the right sectors and explains why including sectoral funds in your portfolio is beneficial 

If you are a market participant, you have probably heard the quote ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’, which suggests diversification. Investors often focus on diversifying across categories like large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap, but they may unintentionally overlook diversification across different AMCs. The question arises: is AMC-wise diversification really necessary? Rakesh Deshmukh takes a closer look at this scenario

Despite diligently investing in mutual funds via regular SIPs with honesty and consistency, investors may still encounter negative returns. In such situations, it’s crucial for investors to understand the underlying factors leading to negative returns and take necessary steps. Rakesh Deshmukh takes a closer look at this scenario 

Mutual funds can be the cornerstone of your financial success. By understanding their benefits, aligning them with your goals and investing consistently, you will be well on your way to achieving your financial dreams. The article highlights how you can use mutual funds to make your dreams come true 

Most of us tend to ignore the glaring fact that our financial needs will be as much or maybe even greater after retirement from an active professional phase. Not only will the sources of monthly income dry up, certain factors like rising healthcare costs and inflation cannot be ignored. Therefore, financial planning to be able to continue living a secured and comfortable life is highly crucial. This article will equip you with the knowledge to navigate this significant aspect of your financial journey 

While the high growth potential of small-cap funds is enticing, the investment comes with a significant downside. Compared to large-cap funds, small-caps experience deeper maximum drawdown during market downturns. The article examines the how, why and when of investing in small-cap funds 

Whether you lean towards equity, debt or hybrid investments, recognising your risk tolerance is paramount. By conducting a risk profile assessment, you gain foresight into potential investment risks, mitigating any future unease before it arises. Rakesh Deshmukh takes a closer look at the scenario to see how it works 

From the fun of theme parties to the depth of thematic investing, explore how focusing on specific themes can shape your investment journey. Various investment themes are trending these days, with thematic PSU funds being one of them. Rakesh Deshmukh takes a closer look at the scenario 

Now that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has made it mandatory for fund houses to undertake stress tests for mid-cap and small-cap funds to see if redemptions can be made within a short period in the face of any financial crisis,

Given that small-cap and mid-cap stocks have started correcting from the second week of March and the general elections next month could act as a trigger, this seems to be the right time to transition to large-cap stocks. Besides, the global scenario is also not looking very favourable for the equity market, thereby creating a lot of volatility in the equity market 

Commodities serve as tangible assets that offer investors a means to engage with the real economy and provide a degree of insulation from financial system disruptions. In this scenario, multi-asset allocation funds represent a more efficient vehicle for commodity exposure compared to hybrid schemes. Here are the details 

As more investors embrace the potential of mutual funds, they are not only unlocking opportunities for wealth creation but also contributing to the broader financial inclusion and prosperity of the nation. DSIJ highlights why investors should look at mutual funds more seriously. 

The Equal Weight Index diverges from conventional indices by assigning equal weight to each constituent, in contrast to the market capitalization weight assigned in typical indices. This article explores the distinctions between the two approaches and evaluates whether opting for an equal-weighted index makes sense compared to a market-cap-weighted one. 

ELSS or Equity Linked Saving Schemes are mutual funds which enjoy a tax-saving benefit under Section 80 C of the Income Tax Act, 1961.

It is often the practice in the corporate and financial domains to give executives fancy titles in order they are able to attract the attention of their clients. 

The common tendency among those who invest in mutual funds is to simply look at some data and pick out the one that has been at the top, assuming that a fund which is performing well today will continue to do so in the future as well. There is something terribly wrong with such a strategy if you want your mutual fund to create wealth over the long term. The article explains the factors that must be taken into consideration prior to choosing the winner 

Investors often assume that investing in the pharmaceutical sector is a safe bet given that its products and services are always in demand.

A significant shift is underway in India's financial landscape- the rise of millennial investors. Individuals born between 1980 and 1995, grouped as millennials, are actively reshaping the investment industry in their 30s and 40s. And their preferred avenue is mutual funds. The article highlights the details of the trend

While there has been a lot of interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds, a cause for concern is that in recent times the outflow has been more than the inflow, suggesting that investors do not find ESG funds a ‘profitable’ choice even though they may be high on the ‘social cause’ list. The article explores the reasons why ESG funds have failed to live up to expectations by comparing them to regular funds using certain tried and tested metrics

The price of gold has steadily risen over the decades. This underscores the attractiveness of gold investments as they tend to keep pace with inflation. Furthermore, investing in this precious metal is often seen as a means of preserving and safeguarding one’s wealth 

In the ever-evolving landscape of financial investments, equity linked saving schemes (ELSS) were once a popular choice among investors looking for long-term wealth creation. 

Hybrid mutual funds are a type of mutual fund that invests in both equity and debt securities.

While the period following the pandemic turned challenging for the pharmaceutical and information technology sectors, events in recent times have shaped out to be tailwinds for both these sectors and the mutual funds that invest in such sectoral themes.

Given the historical tendency for mid-cap funds to outperform large-cap funds in the long run.

While it is true that harnessing the potential of systematic investment plans helps reach your goals faster, there is a need to understand whether step-up SIP works better than standard or static SIP. The article highlights the finer differences between the two strategies

More often than not, when a fund in your investment portfolio begins to show signs of wilting or fading away from the limelight of growth, you may want to sell it. But what are the factors on which such a decision should be made?

There are various reasons why investors are choosing stocks and not other financial investment avenues for long-term growth. The article highlights the domain of equity mutual funds to help understand this trend.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) have emerged as a popular investment option in India, providing investors with a convenient and cost-effective way to gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of securities. These funds have achieved significant traction due to their unique characteristics and potential benefits. Vardan Pandhare explores the world of ETFs as an investment avenue

This article examines the performance and risk factors of multi-cap funds, emphasizing their risk-adjusted returns and their integration into your portfolio

Recently, interest in international funds was rejuvenated when US company Nvidia Corp created windfall gains for its investors.

The impact of the performance of the small-cap stocks is clearly visible in the performance of funds dedicated to this cap.

The EPS is a savings scheme that is part of the larger EPF in India.

The current valuations are beaming mixed signals and the performance of the equity markets continues to look volatile. As such, it makes sense to take a look at the current market conditions before investing in mutual funds. In this article, DSIJ analyses the market waves and how they are affecting the tides of mutual fund investments

Welcome to this guide on how to accumulate Rs 10 crore in 30 years with SIP, a reliable and proven investment strategy. Investing in SIP or systematic investment plan is an excellent way to create wealth in the long run, even for those with a limited budget. The key to success lies in starting early, being disciplined and sticking to the plan consistently

Planning for retirement can assist people in achieving financial freedom and maintaining their preferred lifestyle during their retirement years.

When it comes to mutual fund selection, a fund manager is one of the important aspects to look at before investing.

Retirement planning is often misunderstood as planning of finances during retirement. Although this is one of the aspects, retirement planning starts from the accumulation phase and ends at the distribution phase. Though very few people realise the importance of retirement planning, there are even fewer who understand the right way of saving and investing for retirement. In this article, Henil Shah discusses retirement planning and its importance and illustrates with a case study which asset allocation is suitable for both the phases

A fantastic approach to accumulate wealth is through mutual funds. Depending on your risk tolerance, you may choose the best mix of funds from a range of options. Furthermore, you do not need to be wealthy to become wealthy. To begin your wealth creation journey, you can invest in mutual funds gradually using SIP. In this article, Henil Shah presents the top 15 mutual funds that have made investors wealthy in last five years.

In the world of mutual funds, you are spoilt for options when looking for the most appropriate investment avenues. With the increasing popularity of passive funds, several fund houses are offering a passive investment style option as it requires less portfolio management and is less expensive than active funds. Vardan Pandhare explains the intricacies of passive funds to build wealth

Tax planning is an essential component of any financial plan. You can claim a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act of 1961. One such investment that qualifies for such a deduction is an ELSS. With roughly 41 ELSS schemes available, it might be tough to select the best one. In this article, Henil Shah discusses why investing in ELSS makes more sense than other options and presents the top five cherry-picked ELSS funds

The year 2022 was quite eventful with the equity markets being resilient and outperforming majority of the equity markets across the world. However, mutual funds had their own winners and losers. In this article, Henil Shah analyses the mutual fund industry and also lists those who brought about a change in the overall momentum

Mutual funds (MFs) and portfolio management services (PMS) are frequently seen through the same prism. The two, however, are very different. MFs cater to a far wider audience and provide much less customisation while PMS caters to a specific investment demographic and offers superior customisation. Vardan Pandhare helps you to decode both options as an investment avenue for 2023.

Investing in debt mutual funds at times is a tricky affair. It requires a good understanding of bond markets, interest rate cycles, macroeconomic sentiments and the central bank’s monetary policy. In this article, Henil Shah explains the nitty-gritty of investing in debt mutual funds

Mutual funds are one of the most effective instruments for building wealth over time. Indeed, for people with little or no expertise of financial markets, mutual funds are a godsend. Furthermore, you don’t have to be affluent to become wealthy. The mutual fund SIP path is the finest approach to begin your wealth creation journey. With all of these advantages, it is critical to understand which funds to invest in. On the occasion of the 1,000th issue of DSIJ, Henil Shah identifies some top wealth-creating mutual funds across categories.

The new-age millennial investor today has a plethora of options when it comes to financial investment. However, one thing that hinders their decision is choosing between mutual funds or investing directly through equities. Vardan Pandhare lays bare the nitty-gritty of this investment process to resolve your issue

Market turbulence is a common phenomenon caused by several factors. A bit of research can give us the facts on how lengthy crashes, bear markets and corrections have prevailed. But should you discontinue SIP in such circumstances? Vardan Pandhare details the impact of falling market scenario on your SIP strategy

Diwali is regarded as one of the most auspicious days for purchasing gold. However, with so many options for investing in gold widely available, it adds to investors’ perplexity. In this article, Henil Shah explores the importance of having exposure to gold as well as multiple ways to invest in gold, and also reveals which is the wisest approach to invest in gold this Diwali.

If you think the volatile nature of the equity market is not your cup of tea, then mutual funds should be your ‘go to’ investment plan as returns generated here are higher than the conventional options. Vardan Pandhare shares insights that can churn healthy returns from your mutual fund investment

The demand for commercial real estate is skyrocketing as the economy recovers and the majority of the workforce returns to the workplace. In this story, Henil Shah discusses if now is the ideal time to invest in REITs, as well as how to choose one.

If you are a sports enthusiast, you know how vital the role of a captain in a team sport is. Along the same lines, the expertise and experience of a fund manager are as critical to a fund’s performance. Vardan Pandhare helps you to decode the impact of a fund manager's exit.

The total number of mutual fund folios has reached a record high of 13.55 crore, up 29 per cent year over year and one per cent month over month. It is time then to see the ranking that some of the leading funds can lay claims to

Retirement is unavoidable, as are the costs incurred throughout the retirement phase. As a result, retirement planning is critical. With inflation eating away at your spending power and investments becoming more complex, having a comprehensive retirement plan in place can help you weather the storm. Henil Shah explains the necessity of retirement planning, the steps involved, and the value of having a Will in this article

Portfolio diversification is one of the most effective risk-reduction strategies. Overdoing it, on the other hand, often results in portfolio overlap. Henil Shah outlines how to avoid portfolio overlap and optimise your mutual fund portfolio.

Investing in a mutual fund is not an ad hoc process. It requires a disciplined approach that will help you in achieving your financial goals, some of which may be your ‘needs’ and some would be ‘wants’. In this article, Henil Shah explains how to build a diversified mutual fund portfolio from scratch

The markets have declined quite a bit from their all-time highs made in October 2021. This decline calls for a review and re-balancing of your mutual fund investments. The fall can prove to be a great opportunity to accumulate units of equity mutual funds. In this article, Henil Shah discusses the performance of the markets and mutual funds in H1 CY 2022 and also lists top performing mutual funds.

Mutual funds carry risks owing to the fact that they invest in a diverse variety of volatile financial instruments such as equities, corporate bonds, government securities, and many more. Armaan Madhani sheds light on the various kinds of risks and how they can be measured

Value is a precious asset and more so given today’s precarious times. Having faith in your investment to create long-term wealth might be jolted due to a slump in the global markets, but it also presents the right opportunity to devote your finances to companies with good fundamental values. Vardan Pandhare decodes the importance of having a value fund in your portfolio

Investing in Multi-Cap Funds Diversification is the key to success in equity markets and multi-cap funds serve the diversification needs better than flexi-cap funds. In this article, Henil Shah shares insights on multi-cap funds and also compares them with flexi-cap funds and large & mid-cap funds

Hybrid funds are a lethal combination of equity and debt funds. However, it is usually difficult for a first-time investor to select the best fund among the many accessible possibilities. Henil Shah sheds some light on the hybrid fund category in this story and advises first-time investors in picking the correct hybrid fund

here are two schools of thought: one that favours active investing and one that favors passive investing. Between these two schools of thought, there has always been a tug of war.

There are many reasons why despite making some good investments as per your own judgement, the mutual funds that you have invested in may not seem to be generating returns on expected lines. The article takes a deeper look at why a portfolio may turn into a fizzled out affair.

To understand how debt mutual funds react to increases in the repo rate, we analysed a few past occurrences when the repo rate was increased. We attempted to figure out the performance of debt funds three months previous to the increase in the repo rate, as well as three months, six months and one year following the increase in the repo rate [

Inflation is something that reduces the purchasing power of money over the period. Simply put, it is a passive money-eater acting like slow poison. Therefore, to combat this you need to have a strong investment portfolio that will not just help you to cover inflation risk but also let you create wealth over the long term

Investing through mutual funds is a great way to build wealth. You get different options and can select the right combination based on your risk appetite to invest

At present the market seems to be directionless and is down by 6 per cent from its recent lows. In such a scenario, investors often try bottom fishing and invest at the bottom to get maximum returns

The route to becoming crorepati for retail investors demands a very systematic and disciplined approach. DSIJ team explains how you can achieve this goal with different durations, returns on investment and investment amounts.

The most fundamental aspect that impacts wealth creation and is ignored by a majority of individuals is the investment amount.

ELSS funds provide the best of both worlds. They help us to save on tax as well as provide the benefit of equity investing. Here are then five cherry-picked ELSS funds to help you in your investment journey

The current market volatility indicates that your portfolio needs to be rebalanced while booking profits.

In the last few years we have been witnessing exponential rise in assets under management of passively managed funds. These have outstripped growth in actively managed funds. Even in terms of inflows, passively managed funds have seen better inflows than actively managed counterparts. The report compares the two to know which is better

History suggests that small-cap and mid-cap companies tend to grow faster than the large-cap universe in an economic recovery scenario. 

Diwali brings with it loads of enthusiasm and a strong positive feeling.

Debts taken for funding and backing investments like house, capital for starting business, educating children, etc. is good debt.

Identifying the top and bottom of the market is extremely difficult and even the most seasoned investors cannot vouch for it on a consistent basis.

When you start the process of portfolio construction it is important for you to understand the reason why you are investing and the purpose or the goal the portfolio will try to achieve.

Both debt funds and the public provident fund have their advantages and drawbacks when it comes to returns, withdrawal facility and taxation. The article takes a deeper look at how these work out for an individual investor and provides guidelines that may match your requirements

Payment and other ancillary costs associated with buying a house can be a daunting prospect. The article walks you through the steps required to fulfil your dream of buying a house.

Every portfolio should hold various asset classes which at best should be inversely related or have very low correlation.

The last one year has been quite hectic in terms of launch of new fund offers (NFOs).

Over the last 15 months the entire equity market has been performing exceptionally well.

Inflation is like rust. It corrodes the value of your investment over time and therefore it is right for investors to worry about the rising inflation. The article provides a picture of the relationship between your investments and inflation and how best you can make the most out of the current situation 

Asset allocation is the process of dividing our investments among different kinds of asset classes (equity, debt, commodity and cash) to minimise our risk, and also to maximise return at the given level of risk.

The primary goal of satellite investment is to juice up your overall returns.

India has now exited the technical recession phase.

Given the economically uncertain times that we now live in, most people prefer to embark on a sound investment plan at an early age to be able to generate a fixed income during their years of retirement.