Value Research Online

Your idle ₹1 lakh deserves better than a savings account

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 19:37:33 +0530

Savings accounts barely beat inflation. A three-layer approach using liquid funds and short-duration debt funds can earn 6-7 per cent with similar liquidity and lower tax.

Short-term investor? Here's why you should skip SIFs

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0530

SIFs allow hedge-fund strategies from Rs 10 lakh, but redemptions can take 15 days and lock-ins apply. For short horizons, the liquidity risk outweighs the appeal.

Debt funds or fixed deposits: Where to park your money?

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 09:41:54 +0530

We compare debt funds and FDs in terms of tax, liquidity, and returns to find the smarter choice between the two.

Can you redeem ELSS before three years?

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 18:09:19 +0530

Let’s understand the redemption case when it comes to ELSS mutual funds and see if ELSS can be redeemed before three years.

Can a small-cap fund get too big for its own good?

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 13:02:39 +0530

Large small-cap funds struggle to take high-conviction positions in thinly traded stocks. Here is what happens as AUM grows and what investors should actually watch for.

How to pick a fund without being fooled by past returns?

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 13:43:35 +0530

We see how to look for mutual funds beyond past performance. Expert checklist for evaluating fund consistency, manager track record, and market resilience.

Why most investors should choose multi-cap funds

Wed, 25 Jul 2018 10:00:00 +0530

Dhirendra Kumar says why a regular investor should choose multi-cap funds over the other options

Planning to invest in SCSS? Here's the maximum you can put

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 18:30:43 +0530

The SCSS limit is Rs 30 lakh per individual, raised from Rs 15 lakh in 2023. A senior couple can invest up to Rs 60 lakh combined and earn Rs 41,000 a month guaranteed.

Should you exit a mutual fund after two bad years?

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 12:05:22 +0530

Two bad years may not mean a bad fund. Here is how to tell if your fund is genuinely underperforming its peers, when to wait it out and when to finally exit.

4 steps to know if your mutual funds are working for you

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:00:00 +0530

Last year's returns tell you almost nothing. Here is a four-step framework covering rolling returns, risk ratios, expense ratio and portfolio drift to judge any fund.

How to double your money in five years

Mon, 13 May 2024 19:09:55 +0530

Doubling money in five years needs 15 per cent annual returns, a stretch for most. Here is how a retiring investor should actually split equity and debt to grow their corpus.

Investing Rs 40,000 a month for the long haul? Here's how

Mon, 18 May 2026 16:44:54 +0530

High risk appetite and a long horizon? Allocate 80-85 per cent to equities across large-, mid- and small-cap funds. Here's how to split Rs 40,000 a month through SIPs.

Do the NAVs of direct and regular mutual fund plans differ?

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 12:07:58 +0530

Understand the impact of expense ratios on the net asset values of mutual funds

Can the value of a mutual fund investment drop to zero?

Mon, 09 Dec 2019 07:00:00 +0530

Dhirendra Kumar rules out such a scenario and says that the structure of mutual funds is well-equipped

Should you chase last year's top fund? Here's the truth

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0530

No flexi-cap fund topped the chart two years in a row over the last decade. Here's what the data shows about chasing only winners and why consistency is key.

Switching to direct funds: Pay once, gain for years

Fri, 01 May 2026 20:29:12 +0530

Switching from regular to direct mutual funds triggers LTCG tax, but delaying it can cost more. Here’s why paying once now could boost long-term returns.

How does year-to-date return help assess fund performance?

Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:46:26 +0530

YTD or year-to-date return shows how a mutual fund has performed since January 1. Here's how it works in a nutshell and why it differs from trailing returns.

Can I withdraw from EPF multiple times for the same reason?

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 18:29:45 +0530

Let's delve into the intricacies of EPF withdrawal regulations

Can you claim NPS's ₹50,000 deduction under the new regime?

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:42:51 +0530

NPS’s extra Rs 50,000 tax deduction is available under the old tax regime. A clear breakdown of tax benefits under NPS irrespective of tax regime opted.

Sold a fund at a loss? It could save you tax

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 13:45:45 +0530

A short-term capital loss can reduce taxable LTCG from equity mutual funds. A Rs 50,000 loss on one fund can cut your tax bill by Rs 6,250. Here is exactly how it works.