A mutual fund in India is a type of investment vehicle that pools money from multiple investors to purchase securities, such as stocks, bonds, and other financial assets. The fund is managed by a professional fund manager who makes investment decisions on behalf of the fund’s investors. Mutual funds in India are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
To start investing in mutual funds in India, you can follow these steps:
- Choose the type of mutual fund you want to invest in. There are several types of mutual funds in India, including equity funds, debt funds, balanced funds, and index funds, each with their own investment objectives and risk-return profile.
- Open a mutual fund account with a mutual fund house or a distributor. You will need to provide your personal and financial information, and complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) process.
- Fund your account by transferring money from your bank account.
- Select the mutual fund scheme you want to invest in and fill in the application form. You can also invest through SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) which allows you to invest small amounts regularly.
- Wait for the NAV (Net Asset Value) to be declared on the day of the transaction, and the units will be allotted to your account.
- Monitor your investments regularly and make adjustments as needed.
It is important to keep in mind that mutual funds are subject to market risk and past performance is not indicative of future results. It is also recommended to seek financial advice from a professional and to read the offer documents before investing.
It’s also important to note that, depending on the mutual fund scheme, there may be exit load (a fee charged when redeeming units before a certain period) or lock-in period (a period during which units cannot be redeemed). It’s important to be aware of these terms and conditions before investing.
What is NAV (Net Asset Value)
Net Asset Value (NAV) is a measure of the per-unit value of a mutual fund or an ETF (Exchange Traded Fund). It represents the total value of the fund’s assets, minus liabilities, divided by the number of outstanding units. NAV is calculated at the end of each trading day, and the value is published by the fund house.
For example, if a mutual fund has assets worth Rs. 100 crores and liabilities of Rs. 10 crores, and there are 10 crores units outstanding, the NAV of the fund would be Rs. 90 (100 – 10)/10 crores.
NAV is used to determine the price at which units of a mutual fund can be bought or sold. It is an important metric for mutual fund investors because it provides a way to compare the performance of different funds. A fund with a higher NAV is generally considered to be more expensive than a fund with a lower NAV.
It’s important to note that NAV is only one of the factors to consider when choosing a mutual fund and it’s not the only indicator of a mutual fund’s performance. It’s always recommended to seek professional financial advice before making any investment decisions.