SIP contributions continued to be strong in January, crossing Rs 26,000 crore. The month recorded total inflows of Rs 26,400 crore, a slight 0.2% dip from December’s Rs 26,459 crore.
According to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), in January 2025, the net flow into small-cap funds amounted to Rs 5,720.87 crore, higher than the Rs 4,667.70 crore recorded in December 2024. Meanwhile, midcap funds saw an inflow of Rs 5,147.87 crore during the same period.
Amid discussions about whether to stay invested in SIPs of mid-caps and small-caps during market dips, Deepak Shenoy, Founder of Capital Mind, said that there is a 10-20% dip in the markets, and investors should expect such volatility in a market cycle.
Due to ongoing losses in the equity markets, many small-cap funds have displayed negative returns on their one-year Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) over the past six months. This trend has caused concern among investors.
Smallcap SIP investors: In the past 6 months, the Nifty Smallcap 250 Index has declined significantly by 11.68% over the past six months, though it maintained a positive return of 5.23% over the year.
Sovereign Gold Bonds: As per government regulations, premature redemption of these bonds is allowed after five years from the date of issuance, in line with the interest payment timetable.Â
Naren pointed out that the median P/E ratio for mid- and small-cap stocks has soared to 43x, a level he considers “absurd” and unsustainable.
Gupta in a post emphasized the importance of maintaining a sensible, diversified approach and holding investments for at least 10 years or more.
According to experts, investors who have invested in debt mutual funds may benefit from some significant tax-saving changes introduced in Budget 2025. However, the extent of tax benefits will vary depending on the timing of their investment.
The Union Cabinet approved the new Income Tax Bill on Friday, which is poised to replace the existing Income Tax Act of 1961.
The decrease in deposit rates results in diminished returns for fixed deposit (FD) investors, particularly senior citizens who depend on interest income.
Govt expects healthy contributions to PPF despite more taxpayers moving to new income tax regime
When interest rates decrease, the bonds within debt funds, especially those with higher coupon rates, become more valuable as they continue to provide higher interest rates compared to newly issued bonds. This increase in value pushes up bond prices, ultimately boosting the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the debt fund.
Investors should note the recent 25 basis points rate cut by the RBI signals a departure from the high-interest rate environment of the past four years.
An emergency fund serves as a financial buffer specifically designated for unforeseen circumstances like medical emergencies, household repairs, or unexpected unemployment.
The RBI's repo rate impacts the interest rates banks charge for loans and the rates they set for investments like fixed deposits. It acts as a guide for banks on the interest rates they should offer.
The RBI repo rate is a crucial factor in determining loan rates, including those for home loans. A dip in the repo rate by the RBI generally leads banks to slash their lending rates, resulting in lower interest rates on home loans, whether fixed or floating, and vice versa.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expanded tax exemptions for NPS Vatsalya, including Sections 80CCD(1B), 12(B), and 80CCD(3). This exemption is above the normal Rs 1.5 lakh under Section 80C.Â
It is recommended for investors to establish an emergency fund that can cover 6-9 months of expenses, which should be held in liquid investments such as arbitrage funds. The emergency fund can serve as either a long-term or short-term financial buffer. The amount of money set aside to build this fund should equate to several months' worth of expenses.
As per Budget 2025, starting April 1, 2025, all insurance policies acquired from an IFSC registered office will receive tax exemption under section 10(10D), regardless of premium amounts exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh for ULIPs and Rs 5 lakh for other policies.
With no fresh issuances, there is an opportunity to buy SGBs through the secondary market.
Copyright©2025 Living Media India Limited. For reprint rights: Syndications Today