Since past performance doesn’t dictate future returns, why not buy MF NFOs?

Ask in any personal finance forum, “Can I invest in XYZ NFO?” there would be an immediate refrain, “Never buy NFOs!”. Context is often the first casualty in such a forum, and this response is no different. All mutual funds carry a past performance disclaimer – past returns do not indicate future returns. Then why…

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Why we must not use probabilities or odds for stock market returns

You might have often seen statements like, “Our analysis shows that, over the long term, the stock market shows poor returns for only two out of every ten periods tests. This means that the probability of losing money is quite small”. Such statements are wrong. You cannot, well, must not associate probabilities with stock market…

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Will gains from Parag Parikh Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund be taxed as per slab?

In response to our article – Parag Parikh Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund: Who should invest? – many readers are not clear about the taxation status of the fund. Some even claim that it will be taxed as per slab. In this article, we explain the fund’s taxation status. Note: Tax rules change often. The rules mentioned…

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Why are you recommending index funds when your portfolio has beat the market?

In response to Portfolio Audit 2023: The annual review of my goal-based investments, a reader asks, “Why are you recommending index funds when your portfolio has beat the market?” If you take a casual look at the growth of my retirement portfolio*, it may seem like my portfolio has comfortably beat the market.  *compared with…

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How many equity funds are required for adequate diversification?

A subscriber to our YouTube channel asks, “How many equity funds are required for adequate diversification?” At first glance, the answer seems easy, but it is not. Diversification can refer to diversification across asset classes like equity, fixed income, gold, and real estate or diversification within an asset class. We believe the subscriber refers to…

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How should I choose mutual funds if my risk appetite is moderate?

“I have a long-term investment goal and a moderate risk appetite. Which mutual funds should I select?” This is a query often seen on personal finance forums. We delve into what actions should be taken by investors in such scenarios. However, when asked the seemingly simple follow-up question, “What does a moderate risk appetite entail?”…

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