Readers' Corner: Mutual Fund

Balanced funds offer dual advantage of investing in debt and equity, at one go, says Nimesh Shah

One-year returns of many international funds are attractive. Should one invest in these? What portion of an investor’s equity portfolio should they constitute? Would you advise investing in an international fund that invests across geographies or in country/region-specific funds (like the US, Europe, etc)?

Investing based on past returns is like driving by looking at the rearview mirror. It is imperative for an investor to understand that investment decisions have to be made on the outlook for an asset class and one’s financial goals. 

By investing in an international fund(s), one gets exposure to global companies/industries. This investment brings geographical