Value Research Online

Should I move my money from an equity fund to a liquid fund?

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 13:47:51 +0530

Unsure whether to book profits on your equity investments and switch to a liquid fund? Here's a guide to help you decide.

Is the PPF interest rate fixed for 15 years?

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 16:35:06 +0530

PPF interest rates change quarterly and are not fixed for the 15-year tenure. Learn how interest is calculated monthly based on the lowest balance in your account between the 5th and last day of the month.

Is this flexi-cap giant losing its shine?

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 14:44:28 +0530

Has the Kotak Flexicap Fund lost its edge? See what explains its recent underperformance, how its Value Research rating is determined and whether a switch makes sense.

Should I disclose my PF payout when filing my ITR?

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 17:36:57 +0530

If you’ve just received your PF payout, do you have to disclose it while filing an ITR? We answer this question and explain where you should declare it.

Drowning in EMIs? Repay them in this order

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 17:12:58 +0530

The debt avalanche method clears the costliest loan first. Here is the right order for paying off credit card debt, a car loan and a home loan as efficiently as possible.

Confused between ETFs and FoFs? Read this

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 18:56:58 +0530

Confused between ETFs and FoFs? Compare how they differ in investing, costs, liquidity, taxation and convenience to choose the right passive investment.

REITs or InvITs: Same wrapper, different engines

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0530

One earns rent, the other tolls. Why InvIT yields look higher, why part of that payout is your own capital coming back, and how to judge which is safer for you.

Direct plans cost less. Switching to them might not be free

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 18:38:54 +0530

Switching to a direct plan triggers capital gains tax on existing gains. Exit loads no longer apply. Here is how to switch across four routes and what to do with your SIP.

How long should my term insurance be?

Wed, 01 May 2024 14:49:19 +0530

Having term insurance can help you protect your family from the ups and downs of life. We delve deep to find out what is its ideal duration.

Gifting stocks to family? The tax may stay with you

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 10:35:19 +0530

Gifts to spouse and children are tax-free at transfer, but future dividends and gains can still be clubbed with your income. Here is how the process works and what to watch.

Why returns alone can fool mutual fund investors

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 17:16:01 +0530

Alpha measures a fund manager's skill after adjusting for risk taken. Value and large-and-mid-cap funds lead with over 90 per cent of funds generating positive alpha.

How to invest over Rs 50,000 a month in mutual funds

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 07:00:00 +0530

More than Rs 50,000 a month does not mean more funds. Here is why three to four equity funds are enough and how to think about flexi-cap, multi-cap and small-cap splits.

Did your IDCW payout actually add to your wealth?

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 19:00:02 +0530

When a fund pays IDCW, the NAV falls by exactly the same amount. The payout does not make you wealthier. Here is what IDCW actually is and when it makes sense to use it.

Is buying on dips actually better than a monthly SIP?

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 17:54:29 +0530

Perfect market timing beats a monthly SIP by just 0.2 percentage points a year over 30 years. Here is why the effort of watching dips buys you almost nothing extra.

Is it wise to invest in an NFO?

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 15:41:40 +0530

NFOs often generate buzz but rarely offer true innovation. Before investing, determine if the fund offers something new, meets your financial needs or competes with well-established funds.

Can I get physical gold in exchange for SGBs?

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 08:50:46 +0530

Let’s clarify whether investors can claim physical gold upon maturity of their sovereign gold bonds

How are debt funds purchased before 2023 taxed?

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 09:39:29 +0530

Discover how debt funds bought before 2023 are taxed, the impact of recent tax changes, and when you can still claim the indexation benefit.

What is the difference between an ETF and an FoF?

Tue, 24 Sep 2019 09:05:41 +0530

Dhirendra Kumar highlights the pros and cons of investing in an exchange-traded fund and a fund of fund

The ideal large-, mid- and small-cap fund mix

Thu, 06 Jul 2017 12:36:08 +0530

Dhirendra Kumar breaks down what would be a suitable mutual fund portfolio allocation

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.