I would like to invest in international funds. How can I invest in them and is it prudent to invest in them? Do you recommend investing in them?
- Vikas Anand
We do recommend international funds to our investors as they help you diversify your portfolio and shield against poor performance of Indian companies, markets or the rupee. Indian markets won't be the best-performing markets at all times and there may be phases when other stock markets beat Indian equities. Having an international fund in your portfolio will thus de-risk your investment and provide you with global exposure.
You can acquire international exposure in three ways: First, by buying funds that invest 65 per cent of their portfolios in Indian stocks and the rest globally. In this case you will enjoy the tax breaks available to domestic equity funds. Templeton India Equity Income or Birla Sun Life International Equity Fund are the funds that follow this approach.
Second, you can invest in a feeder fund playing on a region or currency that you think will deliver good returns. We are recommending US equity funds at this juncture because of the high-quality stocks available in the US market as well as dollar strength. Franklin US Equities Fund and ICICI Prudential US Bluechip Equity Fund are good options. But remember that such funds are not eligible for the tax benefits of domestic equity funds.
Third, funds playing on a theme such as energy, agriculture or commodities, such as DSP BlackRock World Energy Fund or BlackRock Agriculture Fund or L&T Global Real Assets Fund are also an option. But invest in them only if you have special knowledge about the theme.
This article was originally published on July 28, 2015.
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