Dividend Stripping Strategy

Do you know that Dividend stripping is an investing strategy that can potentially save you a lot of money? If you invest in Mutual Funds or Stocks, understanding this strategy can be quite a handful to get that extra advantage...Read on...

Stocks vs Mutual Funds

Most of us feel that investing in direct company stocks is risky. Of course, it is. But so is investing in mutual funds, for the simple reason that mutual funds also invest in company stocks. You may feel that mutual funds is still safer because of the expertise that the fund house has as regards fund management and detailed analytical reports, but then remember that rewards are always in proportion to the risk. Let us do a pointwise analysis of Mutual Funds and Stocks...read on...

13 Mutual Fund Myths Busted

The moment we talk about Mutual Funds, what are the first thoughts that come to your mind? If it is risk, market, stocks, unsafe, low growth or anything that does not generate a positive momentum, then probably you are one of the billions who would love to burst some of your mutual fund myths...read on...

Gold Funds Vs Gold ETFs

When it comes to having a balanced portfolio, Gold is one commodity that provides a key balance. If you are serious about Gold as an electronic investment, you must understand the options available to you : Gold Funds, Gold ETFs, and e-Gold. Let us have a closer look so that you can invest it right..read on..

Mutual Fund SIPs and their Capital Gains Taxation

Systematic Investment Plans Or SIPs is a very convenient and most commonly used method for most investors to enter the equity market via Mutual Funds. By understanding the tax implications of SIP transactions, you can time your withdrawals accurately and save on taxes.

New Kisan Vikas Patra KVP 2014 Vs other Debt based investments

Kisan Vikas Patra (KVP) has been in news off late considering that it has been revamped and relaunched by the government with some seemingly attractive features...but is it good enough? Have a look at the comparison between the revamped KVP and other commonly available investment tools...

Seven (7) Income Tax related changes in Budget 2014 that you ought to know

Indian Union Budget 2014 came up with many surprises for an individual tax payer. Here are the 7 (seven) rule changes that you must leverage to the hilt. Remember that increasing the returns on your investments are as important as increasing your income, if not more.

Is switching of funds taxable (QandA : 010)

Question : 010
Is switching of funds taxable?
Let us say you want to switch from one mutual fund to another (of the same or another company) fund in less than 12 months. Will the switching attract short term capital gains tax?

What are the best Mutual Funds i can invest in? (QandA : 006)

Question 006
What are the best Mutual Funds you can invest in?
Considering that the Indian market is now stable and upward looking, what are the best mutual funds i can invest in, for the next 5 years?

What are micro SIPs

Many investors are keen to start SIPs of small amounts for their household helps, drivers or other small investors. However, these investors may not have a PAN card or other documentation required for mutual fund investments.
In order to facilitate such small-ticket investments, Sebi has withdrawn the requirement of PAN for SIPs that do not exceed Rs 50,000 in a financial year. Such installments are called micro SIPs... read on...

10 most common Mutual Fund Myths

Mutual Funds are just the right solution for investors ready to take reasonable risk and do not have time to analyse and dissect organisation data. Each one of us will probably touch Mutual Funds at some point of our financial investment cycle. Here are the 10 most common myths surrounding Mutual Funds that you must be aware of .. read on...

What is Securities Transaction Tax (STT)

Did you know that with every mutual fund or stock transaction, a TDS is being deducted by the government (by the name of Securities Transaction Tax or STT) and you may just be missing on asking for the refund. Let us understand more about STT.

Save Taxes on Capital Gains

Capital Gains are different from money gains. These are the biggest gains that you would ever earn in your life. Understand how to get smarter with capital gains and saving taxes arising out of such gains.. Read More.

What is Dividend Distribution Tax for AY 2014-15

Understanding that the Dividends paid to you are not "actually" tax free and attract hidden taxes, you can take much more informed decisions when it comes to investing for Dividend based Income. Let us understand what is Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) and how does this understanding can help us...Read on..

What are Thematic Funds

A thematic fund is a specialized mutual fund - one where the fund's objective is to deliver optimal returns by investing in stocks which qualify to belong within the particular theme that is considered. The theme could vary from multi-sector, international exposure, commodity exposure etc...read on...

What are REIT (Real Estate Investment Trusts)

REITs (Real Estate investment Trusts) first originated in the United States. REITs were created in order to give all investors the opportunity to invest in large-scale, diversified portfolios of income-producing real estate in the same way they typically invest in other asset classes – through the purchase and sale of liquid securities. See whats happening in India on the REIT front now a days, and this can potentially change the way we manage our wealth portfolios today.

e Gold Vs Gold ETFs

The debate about physical gold versus gold exchange-traded funds, or ETFs, was settled in favour of the latter a long time ago. Now, e-gold, another product that gives exposure to the gold market, is laying claim to the crown. But before you take a plunge with your investments, make sure you understand the pros and cons about each one of them.

What are Gilt Funds

Gilts or Gilt funds, as they are conveniently called, are mutual fund schemes floated by asset management companies with exclusive investments in government securities. Gilts are securities issued by the central government and are said to carry sovereign or minimal risk. Lets understand more about them.

What are Direct Mutual Funds in India

Mutual fund investors have definitely turned smarter. An increasing number are taking the direct investments route to spice up their returns. Indeed, going by a Crisil report, direct plans now constitute 25% of the assets under management (AUM) of mutual funds. If you invest in mutual funds and plan to do so, you better understand what is a Direct Plan for every mutual fund scheme.

What are Index Funds in India

In this series of posts, we are studying about various kinds of mutual funds available in the Indian market. In the last post, we studied about Income Funds. Today, we would study about another important category called as Index Funds.