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Quant Funds: Algo-driven approach reduces human bias, risk of style drift

Quant funds adopt a systematic, rules-based approach to stock selection and portfolio management. They don't rely on fund managers to make investment decisions

Consumption funds: Strong returns await investors who can endure slowdowns

Over the past year, consumption funds yielded returns of 28.6 per cent, lower than PSU (46.4 per cent), pharma (42 per cent), infrastructure (39.1 per cent), and technology (37.8 per cent)

Gold outlook: Buy on dips, temper return expectations after strong runup

Improvement in US GDP figures, easing of tensions in the Middle East, and stable or rising interest rates in the US are other factors that could hurt gold prices

Business Cycle Funds: Macro-driven funds that can fall prey to timing risk

Business cycle funds aim to optimise returns by aligning their portfolios with different phases of the economic cycle

Link UPI app to bank account having limited funds; set daily limits

Fraudsters also place fake QR codes over legitimate ones-on parking meters, donation boxes, etc. When users scan them, the payment goes to fraudsters' accounts

LDFs: Suitable for long-term investors with higher risk appetite

LDFs carry significant interest rate risks. Rapid rate increases could result in MTM losses

Beating insurance mis-selling by banks: Use e-banking, reduce branch visits

Echoing her views, Debasish Panda, chairman of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), also underscored growing concerns regarding banks mis-selling insurance products

Sector and thematic funds: Stay invested if you can assess prospects

Sector and thematic funds allocate at least 80% of their portfolios to stocks within a specific sector or theme

Liquid funds: Go for fund with large AUM, high credit quality and low cost

These funds invest in money market instruments maturing in less than 91 days, including treasury bills, commercial papers issued by corporates, and certificates of deposits issued by banks

Child insurance: Waiver of premium can help secure education goal

These plans generally mature when the child reaches 18 to 25 years. Thus, their payouts are aligned to milestones like higher education and marriage

Arbitrage funds: Tax-friendly debt alternative, but expect minor dips

Arbitrage funds capitalise on price differences between the spot and futures markets

Non-disclosure of foreign property invites Rs 10 lakh penalty per year

Rental income from a foreign property is taxed under the head "Income from House Property". This income must be declared in the Foreign Source Income schedule of the ITR

With benchmarks becoming harder to beat, avoid very high-cost funds

Portfolio construction begins with asset allocation, which depends on risk appetite and investment horizon

Multi-asset funds: Align fund's equity strategy with your risk appetite

Investors often latch on to an asset class after it has moved up considerably. Even if they are not reactive in their portfolio allocation, it is not an easy strategy to implement

Keep health cover comprehensive and contemporary by adding riders

Some base policies have restrictions, such as co-payment or room rent sub-limit. A rider can overcome these restrictions

Dynamic bond funds: Outsource duration investment bets to fund managers

Some dynamic bond funds could take on higher credit risk to boost returns as there is no regulatory curb on them in this regard

Unnerved by volatility? Trim mid, small and sector fund exposure

Foreign institutional investor outflows from India in October exceeded Rs 1 lakh crore, a level not seen even during Covid.

Pharma and health care funds: Defensive bets amid growing volatility

Altogether, 26 funds focused on pharma and healthcare collectively manage Rs 30,306 crore. Some of them offer exposure to global pharma stocks

After recent silver rally, limit exposure to 5%, enter with 7-year horizon

A weaker US dollar and lower Treasury yields have enhanced the appeal of precious metals

For exposure to stable and resilient businesses, bet on MNC funds

MNC funds invest in companies where foreign promoters have more than 50% shareholding