What is SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) in Mutual Funds?


Finance Guru Speaks: SIP stands for "Systematic Investment Plan" which is very common while investing in Mutual Funds. 

SIP and Cheque Book
SIP

Reasons to Invest in SIPs:-


Fact No. 1: Over a long-term horizon, equity investments have given returns that far exceed those of debt-based instruments. They are probably the only investment option, which can build large wealth.

Fact No. 2: In the short term, equities exhibit very sharp volatility, which many of us find difficult to stomach.

Fact No. 3: Equities carry a lot of risks even to the extent of losing one's entire corpus.

Fact No. 4: Investment in equities requires one to be in constant touch with the market.

Fact No. 5: Equity investment requires a lot of research. 

Fact No. 6: Buying good scrips requires one to invest fairly large amounts.
Systematic investing in a mutual fund is the answer to preventing the pitfalls of equity investment and still enjoying high returns. And it makes all the more sense today when the stock markets are booming.


It's an Expert's Field - Let's Leave it To Them:

Management of the fund by professionals or experts is one of the key advantages of investing through a mutual fund. They regularly carry out extensive research - on the company, the industry, and the economy - thus ensuring informed investment. Secondly, they regularly track the market. Thus for many of us who do not have the desired expertise and are too busy with our vocation to devote sufficient time and effort to investing in equity, mutual funds offer an attractive alternative.


Putting Eggs in Different Baskets:


Another advantage of investing through mutual funds is that even with small amounts we can enjoy the benefits of diversification. Huge amounts would be required for an individual to achieve the desired diversification, which would not be possible for many of us. Diversification reduces the overall impact on the returns from a portfolio, on account of a loss in a particular company/sector.

It's All Transparent & Well Regulated:

The Mutual Fund industry is well regulated both by the Securities and Exchange Board of India and the Association of Mutual Funds in India. They have, over the years, introduced regulations, which ensure smooth and transparent functioning of the mutual funds industry. This makes it safer and more convenient for investors to invest through mutual funds.


Market Timing Becomes Irrelevant:

One of the biggest difficulties in equity investing is WHEN to invest, apart from the other big question WHERE to invest. While investing in a mutual fund solves the issue of 'where' to invest, SIP helps us to overcome the problem of 'when'. SIP is a disciplined investing irrespective of the state of the market. It thus makes the market timing totally irrelevant. And today when the markets are high, it may not be prudent to commit large sums at one go. With the next 2-3 years looking good from the Indian Economy's point of view, one can expect handsome returns through regular investing.

Does Not Strain Your Day-to-day Finances:

Mutual Funds allow us to invest very small amounts (Rs 500 - Rs 1000) in SIP, as against larger one-time investment required, if we were to buy directly from the market. This makes investing easier as it does not strain our monthly finances. It, therefore, becomes an ideal investment option for a small-time investor, who would otherwise not be able to enjoy the benefits of investing in the equity market.


Reduces the Average Cost:

In SIP we are investing a fixed amount regularly. Therefore, we end up buying more units when the markets are down and NAV is low and less number of units when the markets are up and the NAV is high. This is called rupee cost averaging. Generally, we would stay away from buying when the markets are down. We generally tend to invest when the markets are rising. SIP works as a good discipline as it forces us to buy even when the markets are low, which actually is the best time to buy.

Helps To Fulfill Our Dreams:

The investments we make are ultimately for some objectives such as buying a house, children's education, marriage, etc. And many of them require a huge one-time investment. As it would usually not be possible to raise such large amounts at short notice, we need to build the corpus over a longer period, through small but regular investments. 


This is what SIP is all about.  

Small investments, over a period of time, result in large wealth and help fulfill our dreams & aspirations.


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