The tax saving season has arrived one month early this time as many investors have started their search for tax-saving instruments now, instead of waiting for the month of January. In the already crowded space, the recent move by the government to ease some of the constraints imposed on NPS (National Pension Scheme) earlier has increased one more contender

The following table lists top-ranked equity funds based on DSIJ's proprietary research methodology. We have evaluated each funds underlying portfolio of stocks and ranked them based on their expected portfolio returns. 

There are a number of factors like diversification, professional money management, tax efficiency of returns, liquidity and transparency that makes mutual funds an ideal investment option for investors with varied time horizons and risk profiles. 

Reason for recommendation

The magical power of compounding helps your investments grow faster. That said, the best way to benefit from compounding is to start early, as it gives your investments more time to grow.

One of the most popular financial products among retail investors is the savings bank (SB) account. The SB account is one of the most easy and convenient way to park your earnings. The SB account is a basic financial product which almost everyone has, especially the salaried people. This was given further boost by the government initiative, i.e. “Jan Dhan Yojana”, which enabled the large un-banked section of the population in India to have an SB account.

Most of the Indian families keep on working to figure out finances for their life’s goals. Majority of these people live in a state of uncertainty throughout their lives, but a few of them show diligence by opting the route of appropriate financial planning. Amit Shukla, a 38-year-old officer at a Central government corporation, decided to reach out to manojshrivastava.com for a financial planning that may put him on the path of financially secured future. 

Many of you may have come across insurance agents or even the bank representatives pitching you about an investment option that comes with insurance cover with a fancy name such as wealth builder or wealth creator, etc.. He is actually talking about a financial product known as ULIP (Unit Linked Insurance Plan). Maximum people would have owned these products at some point of time or still holding it as they feel ULIPs are much safer options than mutual funds.

I am a regular reader of your magazine and I like the content that you provide. This time the cover story was very insightful as it helped me figure out how much I need to invest to get Rs. 50,000 per month, after I retire. 

India’s gross financial savings of the household sector has n hit a seven-year high figure in the last fiscal, as per the annual report published by the Reserve Bank of India. It exhibited that India’s gross financial savings touched 11.1 per cent of gross national disposable income (GNDI)in FY18 from 9.1 per cent in the last fiscal (FY17). Another interesting aspect of the financial savings of household sector was that the share of equity shares and debentures within the financial savings has increased from 0.2 per cent of GNDI in FY17 to 0.9 per cent in FY18. Despite such increase in the share, it is lower than the share of 1.9 per cent that goes into insurance funds.

Fundamental Analysis of 2 Stocks (with 180 days horizon)

Subscribers can ask their queries regarding stocks they hold and get our expert guidance.

Technical Analysis of 1 Stock (with 15 days horizon)

Review on 2 stocks recommended in past

Markets Awaiting Outcomes Of Multiple Events To Seek Direction

The following table lists top-ranked equity funds based on DSIJ's proprietary research methodology. We have evaluated each funds underlying portfolio of stocks and ranked them based on their expected portfolio returns. 

Every mutual fund investor wants to build a portfolio of funds that have the potential to do well over time. One of the ways to analyse the future potential of a fund is to analyse its long-term performance track record. The long-term consistent performance track record of a fund confirms its ability to perform well over different market cycles. However, a fund with a long-term track record usually grows too large in size. Unfortunately, the large size of the fund often creates a dilemma in the minds of investors about its future prospects. Therefore, the question that needs to be addressed is whether the size of a fund should be a concern for you while investing in a fund.

Have you ever wondered how people are fortunate to be free of financial worries? This article aims to help individuals achieve their personal financial goals. The process of goal-based planning may sound to be very simple, given the data points and other facts, but it requires lot of experience and data crunching to fit the numbers to the specific future goals.

Reason for recommendation

Mutual funds have the potential to give better risk-adjusted returns than real estate. DSIJ explains how the different approaches towards real estate and mutual fund investments deliver different investment experience.

Even without realising, you are leading a lifestyle that can be broadly bucketed into three categories. Let’s learn the character of these lifestyles and which one defines you most closely 

‘Get lifetime income of Rs120,000 p.a by investing in our retirement plan’. This is a typical marketing message you might be getting in your inbox or message box. This is usually broadcast by many insurance and mutual fund houses to entice investors into investing in their plans. They try to exploit our deep-rooted desire to make extra income in a legitimate way. There are various ways of getting an extra income; however, many of you do not know that your savings channelised into proper investment avenues can also help you to earn that extra income and fulfil your wishes. 

If you want to earn a decent return on your investment, it is time in the market that is more important than timing the market. Various studies worldwide vindicate this. According to one of the studies, CGM Focus (CGMFX) was the highest-return equity fund from 2000 through 2010 in USA. It had an average annual return of 18.2%, beating its closest rival by 3.4%. During the same time, the fund’s typical shareholders lost 10%. Investors, motivated by greed and fear, added heavily to the fund near the top and exited as the fund neared its bottom. This shows the importance of remaining invested, irrespective of market conditions. 

In this edition, we have reviewed Tata Chemicals and Trent. We suggest our reader-investors to HOLD Tata Chemicals and Trent 

Suzlon Energy Limited is engaged in the provision of renewable energy solutions.

The recommendations provided in this column are taken from various market sources such as brokers, analysts, dealers and investment strategists, etc. These recommendations may not be backed by strong fundamentals. Therefore we advise readers to use their own discretion before investing in these recommendation

Unlike last year, Indian stock market bulls have failed to welcome Samvat 2075 with arms wide open. Markets in 2018 have witnessed one of the worst performing Octobers, which is to a certain degree akin to that of 2008, 

Fundamental Analysis of 2 Stocks (with 180 days horizon)

Review on 2 stocks recommended in past

Technical Analysis of 1 Stock (with 15 days horizon)

Subscribers can ask their queries regarding stocks they hold and get our expert guidance.

Subscribers can ask their queries regarding stocks they hold and get our expert guidance.

High risk taking investors can take exposure in Pfizer

Technical Analysis of 1 Stock (with 15 days horizon)

Value: Actual cost of the stock assigned by the security issuer and shown in the certificate.

The month of July 2018 happens to be the 50 th consecutive month when the domestic mutual fund industry has witnessed a rise in the number of folios. It has increased from 4.76 crore at the end of FY16 to 7.55 crore at the end of July 2018, increasing at a CAGR of little more than 20 per cent. The folios are numbers designated to individual investor accounts and, therefore, one investor can have multiple accounts. It roughly indicates the number of investors investing in mutual fund schemes.

The question may look strange as you might be thinking that everyone retires only once. But I have seen some people retiring and then joining again as they did not have enough money or had done improper planning. Some people would have also experienced temporary retirement due to job loss and the period could have been anywhere between a month to years. Retirement is just like a long vacation–the only difference between a formal retirement and informal retirement is the expected change and sudden change in income and lifestyle. 

In this edition, we have reviewed KSB Pumps and Force Motors. We suggest our reader-investors to HOLD KSB Pumps and Force Motors.

Mutual funds are a simple yet the most dynamic investment vehicle. However, to get the best from them, it is important to make the right selection in terms of schemes, options as well as the strategy. However, many investors face dilemmas while doing so and hence often find it difficult to make the right choices. Here are a few of the dilemmas faced by investors and how these can be tackled.

The following table lists top-ranked equity funds based on DSIJ's proprietary research methodology. We have evaluated each funds underlying portfolio of stocks and ranked them based on their expected portfolio returns. This way we are also able to rank newly launched funds that are not rated by others due to their short duration of existence.

This is a super house of financial data on 3500 corporates with up to date information. In the Magazine version the top 1100 - 1400 companies are covered while the data on the entire 3500 companies is available in excel

Saving is all about sacrificing your present consumption for some future comfort or luxury. Therefore, there should be a compelling reason for you to cut your current spending so that you can enjoy the fruits at some future date. This saving needs to be invested so that inflation does not eat up your purchasing power. There are various instruments and products where you can invest and this can be done through goal-based investment. 

The recommendations provided in this column are taken from various market sources such as brokers, analysts, dealers and investment strategists, etc. These recommendations may not be backed by strong fundamentals. Therefore we advise readers to use their own discretion before investing in these recommendation

NBCC (India) is engaged in providing civil engineering construction services. The company operates in three segments, viz. project management consultancy (PMC), real estate development and engineering, procurement and construction (EPC).

These days, the system immediately intimates you that your return is defective since you have not paid tax or it may process the return and raise tax demand on you

Arun Bhojwani is a veteran in the stock market. He has invested in the markets for more than 20 years now. He has had very few multi-baggers in his portfolio as he has very rarely held any stock in the portfolio for more than one or two years. However, he has managed to beat Sensex year-on-year over these years. "Timely profit-booking is the secret of my portfolio success", say Bhojwani.

Investors are always advised that they should never try to catch a falling knife. Tanay Loya and Yogesh Supekar explain why catching a falling knife deftly can be highly profitable.

The company is engaged in the purchase, manufacture and sale of motor vehicles, its components and spare parts (automobiles). The other activities of the company include facilitation of pre-owned car sales, fleet management and also car financing.

India's largest digital Infrastructure, BSE StAR MF recorded 6000 SIP in single a day by Arihant Capital on August 20, 2018. Mutual funds Distributors leveraging BSE StAR MF have created progressively and frequently creating records for SIP registration in a single day.

In this edition, we have reviewed Esab India and Fairchem Speciality. We suggest our reader-investors to HOLD Esab India and Fairchem Speciality

The 52-week high-low data is among the most tracked by the investors. Shohini Nath and DSIJ Research Team find out whether any strategy can be devised around such interesting market data

Paper stocks have surprised investors in the past one month or so. Amir Shaikh finds out what is brewing in the paper industry and whether paper stocks present an investment opportunity.

The scrips in this column have been recommended with a 15-day investment horizon in mind and carry high risk. Therefore, investors are advised to take into account their risk appetite before investing, as fundamentals may or may not back the recommendations.

Indian stock market bulls are on a shopping spree, buying a select few at a premium with quality assurance, while ignoring the cheaper ones. A handful of frontline index stocks have driven more than 95% of the key benchmark indices' rally to the record levels.

Vinati Organics Ltd (VOL) is a specialty chemical company producing aromatics, monomers, polymers and other specialty products. VOL has been able to deal effectively with the cost advantage of Chinese counterparts in the recent past. Technological advance and economies of scale have helped the company to become a key producer of specialty chemicals. VOL is amongst the largest producers of 2-acrylamido 2 methylpropane sulfonic acid (ATBS), IBB (iso butyl benzene) and IB (iso butylene) products in India.

Face Value: Actual cost of the stock assigned by the security issuer and shown in the certificate. Year: First two digits shows Year while last two digits showmonth of calender , eg. 1103 shows March 2011 results.

The following table lists top-ranked equity funds based on DSIJ's proprietary research methodology. We have evaluated each funds underlying portfolio of stocks and ranked them based on their expected portfolio returns. This way we are also able to rank newly launched funds that are not rated by others due to their short duration of existence.

Retail investors who procrastinate in filing their income tax returns (ITRs) till the last week of July have found another reason to delay filing their ITR. The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has extended the due date for filing IT returns from July 31 to August 31 for the assessment year 2018-19. Individuals and entities whose accounts are not required to be audited need to file their IT returns by August 31, 2018 for AY 2018-19, without attracting any penalties. 

It has been a challenging market environment for equity investors in CY18 so far, in spite of the indices doing well and inching up by 11 per cent on a YTD basis.

CFOs are often the most trusted management resource for the investors. Leading CFOs of Corporate India interact with the DSIJ TEAM and share their company's vision and strategies in this CFO special edition

Our top three strategies include having a strong top line growth, margin expansion and continued efforts to maintain a conservative balance sheet while funding company's growth plan

As a CFO, my top three strategic priorities are transparency, optimal use of free cash flow and communicating with shareholders at large. Out of these three, optimal use of free cash flow is the top priority as it is the only matter which can make or break any organisation. 

Close involvement in strategy, fundraising and investor relations have become three major strategic priorities for CFO in the current dynamic corporate world. The CFO plays a major role in validating the many new strategic initiatives like expansions, diversification and mergers and acquisitions by the company on the financial front. 

Recently your company has raised around Rs.59 crore. Can you tell us how you will be deploying these funds? Also, do you think your company would be in need for additional funds?

The top three priorities are: 1. To facilitate company's medium to long term strategy by enhancing share of specialised films, i.e., working towards de-commoditising the business model.

The top three key priorities are to maximize capital efficiency, optimize cost and ensure business is adequately funded with a right mix of debt and equity. 

With the introduction of a wide array of alternative content, the exhibition business is all set for a major disruption. The aim is to strike a balance between the growth levers of the business and the core of the existing business.

As a Director (Finance), my priority area shall be to arrange funds for both short term working capital requirements for daily operations and long term loan requirements for various energy reduction schemes and other ongoing capex schemes for upgradation of electrical and instrumentation systems, information technology, i.e., implementation of ERP, etc..

The entire graphite electrodes industry is globally facing a tremendous shortage of needle coke - one of the critical raw materials. We fully import this raw material which is supplied by only three companies worldwide.

IIFL is one of the largest financial services firms in India. We primarily have three businesses — IIF Finance, IIFL Wealth & IIFL Securities. IIFL Finance has loan AUMs of Rs.311.3 billion, which is retail-focused and diversified.

Sanjay Upadhyay is an Associate Member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India. He is also a Fellow Member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. He has also completed Advanced Management Program from Wharton, USA. He has vast experience in the areas of finance, accounts, commercial and secretarial functions. He is associated with the company since 1994.

Kumar Subbiah joined CEAT in Feb 2015 after spending little over 20 years with Unilever and Hindustan Unilever, where he handled various finance and commercial roles in India and outside India. Kumar is a B.Com graduate from Loyola College, Chennai. He is also a Chartered Accountant and a Cost Accountant with professional interests both in finance and supply chain

Anupam Jindal has been associated with the Vedanta Group since 1998 in various business verticals, including its aluminium and copper businesses. Having set up a large finance team for one of the aluminium entities in 2001-03 for a US$ 1 billion greenfield project, he moved to Australia in 2003 as head of finance for Vedanta Group's two copper mines,

Mr. Naresh H. Bhansali has been awarded the Best CFO in the ‘Healthy Balance Sheet Management — Mid Size Corporate' category by YES BANK-BW BusinessWorld for the year 2018. For three years in a row since 2015-16, Mr Bhansali has been adjudged the BEST CFO by YES BANK-BW BusinessWorld, which is indeed a commendable achievement.

A Finance professional with over three decades of experience in India and abroad, Lalit oversees the Accounting, Business Support, Financial Planning and Analysis, Mergers & Acquisitions, Internal audit and Tax functions at Dabur globally. He is a strong proponent of good Corporate Governance Practices and believes that transparency is the key ingredient for success of any organisation. 

Balaji is a global finance professional with over two decades of experience in the corporate sector. He started his career with Unilever in 1995 and worked in different corporate finance roles across Asian markets, Switzerland, UK and India

Mr. Sharma has rich and varied experience in Petroleum Industry. He joined IndianOil in 1983 and has handled various assignments in Finance function both in Marketing as well as the Refinery Division of Indian Oil. 

Subscribers can ask their queries regarding stocks they hold and get our expert guidance.

Technical Analysis of 1 Stock (with 15 days horizon)

Fundamental Analysis of 2 Stocks (with 180 days horizon).

Review on 2 stocks recommended in past.

Broader Markets Present Bottom-Fishing Chance Even As Benchmarks Hit Peaks 

We had recommended Blue Star Ltd in volume 33, issue no 9 dated April 30-May 2018, under ‘Choice Scrip section when the stock was trading at Rs.785. The recommendation was justified on account of the robust products launched (100 products) by the company due to which the company was expecting to generate almost Rs.1700 crore in revenue. Apart from this, the company had announced its partnership with Sands International to be the official distributor in KSA for its unitary products range.

The recommendations provided in this column are taken from various market sources such as brokers, analysts, dealers and investment strategists, etc. These recommendations may not be backed by strong fundamentals. Therefore we advise readers to use their own discretion before investing in these recommendation

This is an open-ended equity scheme, which seeks to invest in a diversified manner in the stocks of large-cap and mid-cap companies. The portfolio of the fund shows that the scheme invests equally in the large-cap and mid-cap space. Both of these categories carry around 45% weightage in the fund's portfolio. 

Mutual fund investments are assessed globally based on the fundamentals of the underlying and the suitability of the fund for an investor's risk-return profile. Some of the professional organisations around the world use five ‘P's, namely People, Process, Parent, Performance and Price, to select the right kind of mutual fund for investing. The reason these firms employ such methodology is because mutual fund investments are meant for the long term and these fundamental parameters help in assessing the fund's performance over the long run. 

Creation of Prosperity with Peace & Serenity Nadeem Ahmed, a salaried executive of 31 years, approached us in June 2006 for financial guidance. He was still single and had many challenges to meet. The only good thing he had done was buying a ready flat in Mumbai's suburbs. He disclosed to us all his financial and personal information and reposed absolute faith in our expertise. 

Selecting The Right DEBT Mutual Fund Debt funds are as versatile as equity funds. DSIJ guides on how to use debt funds to complement your equity portfolio. 

The volatility in the equity market has deterred many investors from adding in fresh money into mutual funds. DSIJ explains, how and where to invest in these times

The Rise And Rise Of Retail MF Investors Mutual fund investors who had invested at the start of the year in equity schemes might be seeing red in their portfolio. Barring a couple of sectoral funds and large-cap dedicated funds, all categories of funds have given negative returns in the last three months to six months.

The Indian rupee fell to its all-time low last month against US dollar, breaching the 69 per USD level for the very first time in its history. The rise in crude oil prices and the ballooning fiscal deficit took a toll on the rupee, which lost more value than most emerging-market currencies this year. In fact, the rupee has emerged as the worst performing currency in Asia in 2018 till date.

Markets are at all-time highs, yet large number of investors are dismayed by the under performance of their portfolios. Yogesh Supekar and Tanay Loya delve into the reasons for the under performance of individual portfolios and suggest some remedial measures.

The following table lists top-ranked equity funds based on DSIJ's proprietary research methodology. We have evaluated each funds underlying portfolio of stocks and ranked them based on their expected portfolio returns. This way we are also able to rank newly launched funds that are not rated by others due to their short duration of existence.

This is a super house of financial data on 3500 corporates with up to date information. In the Magazine version the top 1100 - 1400 companies are covered while the data on the entire 3500 companies is available in excel

In this edition, we have reviewed Caplin Point Lab and Dwarikesh Sugar. We suggest our reader-investors to HOLD in Caplin Point Lab and Dwarikesh Sugar.

Genesys International Corporation is engaged in computer programming, consultancy and related activities.

The rule of 80-20 is all-pervasive and you can find it in every aspect of life, including investments. The rule states that 80% of the effect comes from 20% of the causes. If you analyse your portfolio, you will find that 20% of your investment is generating 80% of your overall portfolio returns. This rule of 80-20 was first developed by Vilfredo Pareto, an Italian economist and mathematician. Therefore, this rule is also better known as the Pareto principle.

Reliance Consumption Fund - Direct Plan-Growth Reason for recommendation This is an open-ended equity scheme, which seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing at least 80% of its net assets in equity/equity related instruments of the companies which are expected to benefit from the domestic consumption-led demand.