Rolling return charts have gained popularity among DIY investors and advisors for analysing mutual funds. 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, time series analysis, and financial planning tools…

Here is how you can be a successful equity mutual fund investor. This also applies to the long-term direct equity (stock) investing. Understand the true nature of the stock market: All those stories of “compounding” that you have been fed do not pan out in real life. See: Don’t get fooled: Mutual funds have no…

Some investment decisions are prudent with reasonable risk, while others are reckless with unreasonable risk. Some risks have a reasonable chance (not a probability) of success based on common sense and/or history if given enough time, and other safety measures are in place. For other risks, the data (history) tells you that most people fail….

I recently mentioned in a talk that many three-letter acronyms introduced by the MF industry are unnecessary. Allow me to expound. The three-letter acronyms (TLAs), aka initialisms, I mean, are SIP, STP, SWP and SIF. We can also include the associated products – PMS and AIFs. SIP: You need a system to start investing. You…

We were recently asked some questions on mutual fund systematic withdrawal plans (SWPs). I thought it best to prepare for the interview by writing an article answering the questions. The essentials of an SWP have already been covered in a previous FAQ. So we will dive right into the questions. What is your opinion on…

Can we build generational wealth with mutual funds? Ms Sonia Shenoy asked me this interesting question in a podcast. My answer was that it would be extremely hard. Let me expand on my answer in this article. To build generational wealth, returns from an asset class alone are not enough. Each generation must earn more…

In Aug 2026, we published a report comparing Active Mid-Cap Mutual Funds with the Nifty Midcap 150. We used 5-year, 4-year and 3-year rolling returns. What about the performance over longer time frames? Is it worth staying invested in an active mid-cap fund, paying a high management fee in the hope that it will beat…

Although the Indian Succession Act, 1925 does not prescribe a standard form or specific terminology for drafting Wills, careful drafting is essential to avoid ambiguity and potential disputes. Word choice can have significant legal consequences. For the importance of clear communication while drafting a Will, please read our previous article, “Why clear communication is extremely…

Imagine sitting at a dinner table with your close friends. The conversation turns to the future, and you honestly say, I want to build a business that makes a lot of money so I can buy a big house and leave a large inheritance for my kids. Instead of cheering you on, the room gets…

In June, we launched NaviPlan: a privacy-focused multi-asset tracker and Goal Planner. Developed by Gokul of Naviran Technologies in association with freefincal, this tool lets users track mutual funds*, stocks*, FDs, global assets, NPS, pension funds, and insurance policies! The user can tag these to financial goals and track their progress. The tool also offers options…

PPFAS Gift City announced yesterday that they have slashed the minimum investment required to invest in its outbound funds – Parag Parikh IFSC S&P 500 FOF and  Parag Parikh IFSC Nasdaq 100 FOF – from 5000 USD to 500 USD. This 500 USD minimum also applies to subsequent investments. Given how hard it is to…

We discuss the performance consistency of actively managed mid cap funds by comparing them with the Nifty Midcap 150 index. This is the Aug 2026 report. The freefincal active equity mutual fund screener, published monthly, uses the Midcap 150 to compare small cap funds. This is the link to the latest screener. If you read…

“Which mutual fund should a beginner choose?” Someone recently asked me this question after a talk. A discussion. Let us assume that the person is a young earner who has subscribed to the EPF via her employer. If she is a freelancer or entrepreneur, the PPF is a good substitute. That will be the fixed-income…