A reader says, “I have invested in equity mutual funds for the last four years. Can I now start buying stocks?” Here are some guidelines to decide. Why do you want to invest in stocks? Is it because you heard multibagger stories on social media and feel you are missing out on something? Or did…

Readers often ask us,  “What return can I expect if I invest via SIP in an equity mutual fund for 10 years?”. The honest answer to “What return can I expect from a 10-year equity MF SIP?”, is “no idea”.  We have discussed this at length before Do not expect returns from mutual fund SIPs!…

With the SIP campaign a grand success, the mutual fund industry has started promoting SWPs. The sales pitch is this: Invest a lump sum in a hybrid fund like balanced advantage, dynamic asset allocation, aggressive hybrid and the like. As you keep systematically withdrawing, the remaining corpus will grow. Don’t worry about intermittent volatility; the…

We discuss some minimalist equity MF portfolios. This is intended for beginners new to the capital markets. Existing investors with multiple funds need not act on this. However, they should tell themselves not to buy more anymore and try to de-clutter as and when possible in the future. New investors should also recognise that a…

This is a list of the worst-performing equity mutual funds across every possible five-, four-, and three-period study period from the inception of direct plans (Jan 2013) to Dec 20th 2025. Some caveats before we begin:  (1) The definition of a “worst mutual fund” is as arbitrary as the definition of a “best mutual fund”….

Bond platforms are becoming popular in India. Thanks to many finfluencers, bond investments are recommended to the “retail investor”. I had recently published a video in English – Do not buy bonds unless you need an income! and in Tamil – வருமானம் தேவையில்லை என்றால், பத்திரங்களை வாங்க வேண்டாம்! In these videos, I argued that unless you…

A reader says, ” I am 30, married, and have a 3-year-old daughter. I come from a middle-class background, and although I have completed my bachelor’s degree, I’ve worked in HR more out of necessity than passion”. “Over time, I became interested in financial literacy, especially through watching YouTube videos on equity investing. As I…

Rolling return charts have recently become popular among DIY investors and advisors for mutual fund analysis. However, few users understand how rolling return charts are computed and their benefits and limitations. We discuss how not to use these charts! Rolling lump sum, rolling SIP, and many other mutual fund and time series analysis and financial…

For years, a prevailing sense of security has comforted the average mutual fund investor. Until now, cybercrimes primarily involved bank accounts, credit cards, or UPI scams, leaving mutual fund investors relatively peaceful in the knowledge that their units were safe. This confidence stemmed from the structural design of the investment; mutual funds operated under a…

We live in the golden age of financial access. With a smartphone and a 4G connection, you can buy a piece of India’s top companies or a global index fund while waiting for your coffee. But there is a dark side to this democratisation. About the author: Ajay Pruthi is a fee-only SEBI-registered investment advisor….

A reader says, “Could you please consider writing or making a video on how investors can think about allocating across: (a) FD + Liquid Funds for near-term needs/emergency fund (1-2 Years), (b) Medium Duration Funds (2-3 years), and (c)Credit Risk Funds for medium-term goals (3–5 years), particularly for those in the 30% tax slab who…

A reader says, “I read your blog on financial planning where you mentioned that it’s better to invest in mutual funds through a joint account as the transfer of units is easier than via nomination. But there is a lot of confusion regarding its taxation”. “I read about a couple online who handle their mutual…

Recently, someone on X referenced a trailing 5,7,10Y SIP returns comparison of direct plan large cap funds vs the Nifty 100 TRI and concluded that most active funds beat the index. They also noted that using SIP returns avoids the bias introduced by trailing returns. I responded that using a 5Y or 10Y SIP is…

A reader says, “Is having all my net worth in digital assets (equity MF/Demat or debt PF/PPF, etc.) safe?  What may happen if some hacker hacks my digital life or, worst case, hacks into the government or AMC database and deletes our holdings? What will happen if our CDSL accounts are hacked or erased, or…

Many investors cannot stop themselves from buying mutual fund NFOs and clutter up their portfolios. This guide may help you think rationally and focus on the right priorities. 9.99 out of 10 mutual fund NFOs are not necessary. Hundreds of existing mutual fund options can be used to build a good MF portfolio. Investors often…