iifl-logo

Invest wise with Expert advice

By continuing, I accept the T&C and agree to receive communication on Whatsapp

sidebar image

How to Pick the Best Mutual Funds for A Prosperous Long-Term Investment

12 Sep 2024 , 11:14 AM

Whether it is retirement, buying a house, or funding your child’s education, long-term investment in mutual funds is an ideal way to achieve these goals. The only problem is there are too many different varieties of mutual funds out there. Knowing how to pick the right mutual funds to invest in India for long-term investments may likely make a big difference in your investment journey.

So the question always remains: how does one choose the best mutual fund to invest for long-term growth?

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Mutual Fund for Long Term

1. Understanding Your Financial Goals

It’s crucial to align your financial objectives with investment decisions before beginning your journey of finding the best mutual funds. Do you want to create wealth, generate a regular income, or both? The mutual fund that suits your requirements depends on your aspirations. For instance, equity mutual funds are more suitable for long-term capital appreciation. On the other hand, Debt mutual funds, are a better option if you’re looking for stability and consistent income.

2. Performance of Funds over Time

One can always assess the performance of a mutual fund in the past while selecting the best mutual fund to invest in. Consider a number of market cycles rather than just one or two.  Consistency of return is a very good indicator of a well-managed fund, especially during market downturns. However, just past performance is not a good indicator. One needs to understand why the performance improved and whether the conditions that led to the change are going to continue.

3. The Cost of Investing: Expense Ratio

One of the major determinants of your return will be the expense ratio. This percentage highlights the yearly fee taken by investors of all mutual funds. It pays for the management fees, administrative charges, and running costs of the fund. Lower expense ratios are considered better since they keep a larger portion of your money in the market. Always compare the expense ratios of similar funds whenever trying to select the best mutual fund for long-term investment.

4. The Expertise of the Fund Manager

The success of any fund is very closely linked with the expertise and experience of the fund management. A fund manager’s ability to handle various market conditions and make prudent choices of investment gets translated directly into the performance of a mutual fund. Study the history of the fund manager and his style of management when you choose the best mutual funds for long-term investments in India. A manager who has a disciplined and uniform investment approach is most likely to generate superior returns over time.

5. Assessing the Fund’s Portfolio Diversification

It can be minimized by apportioning the investments between different industries, sectors, and classes of assets, which will, in turn, provide diversification to the portfolio of the mutual fund. A diversified fund would less than likely experience huge losses if one sector performs below par. When you go about choosing the finest mutual fund to invest in for the long term, make sure that the mix of assets is appropriate for the portfolio. In a well-diversified portfolio, your assets will be better cushioned against market swings and yield more steady returns.

6. Judging the Investment Strategy of the Fund

Every mutual fund makes an investment decision based on its applicable investment strategy. While there are some funds that concentrate on returns through dividends from equities, others focus on growth by providing finances to those companies that have promising potential for growth. The investment strategy adopted by the fund is needed for analyzing whether or not the fund aligns with your long-term goals. While looking for the best mutual funds in India for long-term investment, also see if the approach followed by the fund fits with your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

7. Consider the Risk-Return Profile of the Fund

A mutual fund risk-return profile shows the quantum of risk one is taking in regards to the predicted returns. The larger the gain, the more risks one usually takes. Your risk tolerance is something to be carefully considered for a long-term mutual fund choice. If your investing horizon is longer and you can tolerate a higher level of risk, you may opt for equity funds due to their higher growth potential. If you prefer to take lesser risk, you can either lean towards debt funds or balanced funds.

8. Consistency in Dividend Payouts

Another thing that investors should consider when trying to select the finest mutual fund for investment over a long period is the dividend distribution consistency of a mutual fund. Those fund schemes that regularly pay dividends can be great for conservative investors looking for steady income. Consider the history of dividend payments by the mutual fund and how often these distributions have taken place when choosing the best long-term investment.

9. Tax Efficiency of the Fund

Another important consideration when making long-term investments in mutual funds is tax efficiency. In India, gains on mutual funds invested in stocks that exceed Rs 1 lakh in a fiscal year are taxed at a rate of 10% on long-term capital gains (LTCG). However, because equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS) are eligible for tax advantages under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, they are a tax-efficient long-term investment option. When choosing the best mutual funds for long-term investing in India, take tax implications into account. Funds that strike a balance between tax efficiency and growth should be chosen.

10. Monitoring and Regularly Reviewing Your Investment

Long-term investing in mutual funds does not mean set it and forget it. You can still make sure that your investments are positioned to be aligned with your goals and also positioning in the market by periodically monitoring your portfolio. Keep a close eye on what that fund manager is doing, as well as the performance of the fund. This proactive approach will help you stay on track towards achieving your goals.

Mutual Fund Categories for Long-Term Investment

The best mutual funds to invest for long term can be divided into four main categories: solution-oriented, hybrid, debt, and equity funds. Every category caters to distinct risk tolerances and investment goals.

1. Equity Funds:

Despite their increased volatility, equity funds that invest mostly in stocks are the best choice for long-term growth because of their potential for large gains.

2. Debt Funds:

Debt funds, which invest in fixed-income securities, are appropriate for conservative investors because they provide stability and a consistent income stream.

3. Hybrid Funds:

Investors seeking moderate risk and returns may find hybrid funds appealing since they provide a balanced approach by combining debt and equity investments.

4. Solution-Oriented Funds:

Funds that are solution-oriented, like retirement accounts and plans for the education of children, are made to achieve particular financial objectives.
With an understanding of these categories, you may more effectively align your investing approach with the top mutual funds available in India for long-term investments, ensuring that your portfolio aligns with your financial goals.

Conclusion

The best mutual fund for long term investments in India should be chosen after thorough consideration of your financial objectives. You can make wise judgments that support your investing goals by taking into account variables like past performance , expense ratios, fund manager experience, portfolio diversification, and tax efficiency. To ensure effective long-term investing, select funds based on your investment horizon, risk tolerance, and financial objectives.

FAQ’s

1. What should I consider when selecting the best mutual fund to invest in India for long term?

When choosing a mutual fund for long-term investment, consider factors such as your financial goals, the fund’s historical performance, expense ratio, fund manager’s expertise, portfolio diversification, investment strategy, risk-return profile, consistency in dividend payouts, and tax efficiency.

2. What is the difference between equity funds and debt funds?

Equity funds invest primarily in stocks and are suited for long-term growth due to their potential for high returns but come with higher volatility. Debt funds invest in fixed-income securities and offer stability and consistent income, making them suitable for conservative investors.

3. How important is the expense ratio when selecting a mutual fund?

The expense ratio is crucial as it represents the annual fees charged by the fund, which can impact your overall returns. Generally, lower expense ratios are preferable as they allow more of your investment to stay in the market.

4. What role does the fund manager play in a mutual fund’s performance?

The fund manager’s expertise is vital to a mutual fund’s success. A skilled manager can make informed investment decisions and navigate market conditions effectively, which can significantly influence the fund’s performance.

5. How can I determine if a mutual fund is tax-efficient?

In India, mutual funds with equity investments benefit from lower long-term capital gains tax rates. Equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS) also offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act. Consider these tax advantages and how they align with your investment goals when choosing a fund.

Related Tags

  • Debt Mutual Funds
  • funds
  • mutual fund
sidebar mobile

BLOGS AND PERSONAL FINANCE

Read More

Most Read News

SBI Card Q4 Profit Slips 20%
25 Apr 2025|11:17 PM
HUL Q4 Net Profit Rises to ₹2,493 Crore
25 Apr 2025|10:59 PM
Sensex and Nifty in Red on April 25, 2025
25 Apr 2025|02:08 PM
Read More

Invest Right News

BSE: Firing on all cylinders
9 Apr 2024|10:33 AM
Read More

Invest wise with Expert advice

By continuing, I accept the T&C and agree to receive communication on Whatsapp

Knowledge Center
Logo

Logo IIFL Customer Care Number
(Gold/NCD/NBFC/Insurance/NPS)
1860-267-3000 / 7039-050-000

Logo IIFL Capital Services Support WhatsApp Number
+91 9892691696

Download The App Now

appapp
Loading...

Follow us on

facebooktwitterrssyoutubeinstagramlinkedintelegram

2025, IIFL Capital Services Ltd. All Rights Reserved

ATTENTION INVESTORS

RISK DISCLOSURE ON DERIVATIVES

Copyright © IIFL Capital Services Limited (Formerly known as IIFL Securities Ltd). All rights Reserved.

IIFL Capital Services Limited - Stock Broker SEBI Regn. No: INZ000164132, PMS SEBI Regn. No: INP000002213,IA SEBI Regn. No: INA000000623, SEBI RA Regn. No: INH000000248
ARN NO : 47791 (AMFI Registered Mutual Fund Distributor)

ISO certification icon
We are ISO 27001:2013 Certified.

This Certificate Demonstrates That IIFL As An Organization Has Defined And Put In Place Best-Practice Information Security Processes.