What returns can we expect from Sovereign Gold Bonds?
Have you ever wonder what returns one could get by buying Sovereign Gold Bonds? Here are some hard numbers.
Continue reading →This “buy high, sell low” market timing strategy surprisingly works!
In this article, we discuss the results of a buy when high, sell when low market timing strategy that surprisingly works with the best results out of all the timing strategies studied so far.
Continue reading →How your parents can easily implement “Who gets what?” (legacy planning)
If your parents (or you yourself) have significant assets (property, gold, bank deposits, mutual funds, stocks etc) and more than one legal heir, a few simple steps can ensure who gets what asset after their (or your) time. A discussion (and this is not just about writing a will!). You can gently share this article…
Continue reading →Can we buy gilt mutual funds now? They have given more than 10% returns in the last year!
In the last year (as on 29th May), two gilts ETFs returned 13% and all direct plan gilt funds moved up between 10% to 17%. Is this then a good time to buy gilt mutual funds?
Continue reading →Is this a good time to buy gold? A tactical buying strategy for gold
When we look at “long term” gold charts, it is quite easy to assume, “gold always tend to given good returns” without realising how volatile it can be. There are ways to reduce the risk associated with buying gold and perhaps even get more returns if we are lucky. In this article, we discuss a…
Continue reading →How much return can I expect from Arbitrage mutual funds?
With RBI 7.75% bonds no longer available and yields from tax-free bonds destroyed by increasing demand, investors looking for a “reasonable” mix of low volatility, credit quality, tax efficiency and liquidity can consider arbitrage mutual funds for long-term goals. How can return can we expect from arbitrage funds? An analysis of all the funds in…
Continue reading →Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Scheme (DTVSV) 2020 for settling tax disputes
The Government recently announced the Direct Tax Vivad se Vishwas Scheme (DTVSV) 2020 to reduce litigation related to direct tax matters and provide an opportunity to willing taxpayers to settle their outstanding tax disputes under very favourable terms without payment of any interest or penalty (in cases of disputed tax demand). Let’s have a closer…
Continue reading →RBI 7.75% Bonds no longer available: Where to invest now?
The RBI has announced the cessation of its 7.75 per cent Savings (Taxable) Bonds, 2018 with effect from the end of business day, May 28th 2020. Where should one invest now?
Continue reading →Tax-free bond vs RBI 7.75% bonds: Which is better?
A comparison between tax-free bonds that are available in the secondary market and RBI 7.75% bonds that can be obtained in the primary market. Which is better and how demand for tax-free bonds have quickly made them less attractive.
Continue reading →PM Vaya Vandana Yojana (2020) is now open: Key Features
These are the key features of the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (Modified- 2020) Scheme that launches today, May 26th 2020.
Continue reading →Where should senior citizens invest in 2020?
Falling interest rates and “risky” mutual funds have spooked senior citizens and their self-appointed advisors – their children. As always, wrong questions like “should I invest in “7.75% RBI bonds?”, “Should I buy PM Vaya Vandana Yojana?” are doing the rounds. A look at how senior citizens should invest in 2020.
Continue reading →Will covid-19 insurance claims face trouble? Will premiums increase?
Covid-19 health insurance claims are rapidly increasing in the country. With no standardised hospital pricing and reports of huge hospital bills, insurers are finding it difficult to pay out claims in full. This could mean difficulties in claim processing and future increase in the already-high premiums. What should policyholders do?
Continue reading →NPS equity schemes underperform Nifty, Nifty 100: time for passive approach?
Considering how the NPS equity schemes have underperformed Nifty 50 and Nifty 100 total return indices, it is high time PFRDA mandates these “low cost” fund to passively track an index instead of classifying them as “active funds” that can invest in the Nifty, Nifty 100 universe.
Continue reading →How falling interest rates and lower equity returns can affect a retirement plan
With the repo rate at its lowest, fixed-income investment rates which were already heading south over the last few years are likely to stay there and move down further in future. Equity returns have been consistently heading lower and lower too. This can destroy all financial plans especially retirement which does not come with a…
Continue reading →Why you should avoid equity (scheme E) in your NPS portfolio!
The NPS has a portfolio management fee of 0.01%. There is an additional custodian fee of 0.0032% and various transaction fee applicable on the investment amount (much like an airline charging extra for the seat, leg space and food). Nonetheless, a fee of 0.01320% is not only enticing but also leads one to assume we…
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