Tuesday, January 8, 2013


Various types of Investment Options

By this time you are better informed on the why invest proposition and the real-rate of return, Now, you may want to understand more about the common investment options available to us in India, its effects, taxability, risk and typical return levels associated with each instrument.
Deposit Certificates
These are short-to-medium-term interest bearing, debt instruments offered by banks. And are low-risk, low-return instruments. There is usually an early withdrawal penalty. Fixed deposits, recurring deposits etc. are some of these.
Average rate of return is usually between 6-9%, depending on duration/instrument. Returns are taxable.
Bonds
These are fixed income (debt) instruments issued for a period of more than one year with the purpose of raising capital. The central or state government, corporations and similar institutions sell bonds. A bond is generally a promise to repay the principal along with fixed rate of interest on a specified maturity date.
The average rate of return on bonds and securities in India has been around 10-12% p.a. Returns are taxable.
Public Provident Fund (PPF)
One of the best instruments available. Must have in your investment portfolio. Scheme can be opened with SBI, leading Pvt. Banks, and Post offices. This is a long term investment vehicle with a term 15 years. Max deposit in a year Rs. 70,000 with the current rate of return fixed at 8%. It's a good idea to first max this Rs. 70,000 limit every year before putting surplus money into other investments.
Why? For one, because of the longer term you can unleash the miracle power of compunding to good effect here. Besides its a tax saving instrument, completely safe, risk-free government guaranteed instrument. Returns too are currently, tax free.
Post Office MIS (POMIS)
This is another popular scheme among those who need some regular monthly income, say e.g. Senior Citizens. You may not need the regular monthly income, but you could put that regular stream of cash to other investment avenues, such as mutual funds.
Again a risk-free instrument you can invest with at Post Offices. Maturity period is of 6 years, with current rate of interest fixed at 8% compounding. Automatic credit facility of monthly interest to a linked savings account at the post office. There is a bonus 5% payable on maturity, so effective compounding return goes over 10%. Returns are taxable.
Stocks
Investment in shares of companies, is investing in Stocks. Stocks can be bought/sold from the exchanges (secondary market) or via IPOs – Initial Public Offerings (primary market).
However unlike Bonds or Certificate of Deposits, investing in stocks isn't risk free. The market returns over the long term is dependent on the company's business performance - after all buying a share is a part ownership in the company! If you are going to trust your investment with a company for the longer term, you need to be reasonably sure the company will stay in business for next 10-15 years, and profitably! Investing in shares is not for everyone, requires hard work, a lot of discipline and patience to make a success of it. Else all the analysts would be sitting at home 

Having said that, history shows us that investment in quality stocks have proven to be the ideal long term investment. On an average an investment in stocks in India has provided returns of 15-25% p.a. over the medium to long term. Dividend Income and Long Term Capital gains (>1 year) in India are currently, tax free.
Mutual Funds
These are open and close ended funds operated by an investment company which raises money from the public and invests in a group of assets, based on a published set of objectives.
Investing in Mutual Funds provide benefits of diversification (investments spread over a larger number of stocks and thus lesser risk)and professional money management -they have the team of researchers and analysts to pick the best stocks for you.

The rate of return again is market-performance related; generally substantially more than what is earned in fixed deposits. Each mutual fund has a rate of return dependent on how well its stock-picks have performed in the market.
Good Mutual funds in India have given a return of 15–20% p.a. over the long term. Dividend Income and Long Term Capital gains (>1 year) in India are currently, tax free.

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