Load is the factor that is applied to the Net Asset Value (NAV) of a mutual fund scheme to arrive at the price. If a commission is paid to agents to bring in new business this represents the cost incurred by the mutual fund for additional sale. The fund may therefore decide that, investors who are already in the scheme need not bear this cost. Therefore, it may decide to impose this cost on the new investors by increasing the price at which they can buy units. This is called the sales load. Similarly, if an investor stays in a fund for a short while and decides to repurchase his units, the fund may incur some costs in liquidating the portfolio and paying off this investor. The fund may want to impose the cost of this operation on the exiting investor in the form of a load. This is called Continue reading
Mutual Fund Investments
Organization of Mutual Fund
Mutual fund is a trust that pools the savings of a number of investors who share a common financial goal. This pool of money is invested in accordance with a stated objective. The joint ownership of the fund is thus “Mutual”, i.e. the fund belongs to all investors. The money thus collected is then invested in capital market instruments such as shares, debentures and other securities. The income earned through these investments and the capital appreciations realized are shared by its unit holders in proportion the number of units owned by them. Thus a Mutual Fund is the most suitable investment for the common man as it offers an opportunity to invest in a diversified, professionally managed basket of securities at a relatively low cost. A Mutual Fund is an investment tool that allows small investors access to a well-diversified portfolio of equities, bonds and other securities. Each shareholder participates Continue reading
Definition of Portfolio Managers
Portfolio managers are defined as persons who, in pursuance of a contract with client, advise/ direct undertake on their behalf the management/ administration of portfolio of securities/ funds of clients. The term portfolio means the total holding of securities belonging to any person. The portfolio management can be: Discretionary: the first type of portfolio management permits the exercise of discretion in regard to investment/ management of the portfolio of the securities /funds. Non-discretionary: the non-discretionary portfolio manager should manage the funds in accordance with the direction of client. In order to carry on portfolio management services, a certificate of registration from SEBI is mandatory for all portfolio managers. But for category 1 and 2 merchant banker a separate registration is not required to act as a portfolio manager. They have, however, To carry on the portfolio management activity within the framework of SEBI regulations applicable to portfolio managers. The SEBI Continue reading
Mutual Fund Ownership Documents
In terms of practice that has evolved in the mutual funds industry, mutual funds have stopped issuing certificates to investors, in their open-ended schemes. Investors instead get an account statement, which shows their holdings and the price at which they were bought. Mutual fund holdings of an investor are identified by the account number. Investors can, if they wish, consolidate their holdings in a mutual fund across various schemes and receive a consolidated account statement. The account statement is computer generated and has no signature. It is also not an instrument that can be traded or transferred. It is a very safe way of holding mutual fund units. The account statement shows the holding details, the number of units outstanding and the value of the holdings. All transactions relating to purchase of units, redemption of units, dividends, re-investment etc., are shown in the account statement. The investors’ holdings in a Continue reading
Different Types/Categories of Mutual Fund Products
Investment companies or investment trusts obtain funds from large number of investors through sale of units. The funds collected from the investors are placed under professional management for the benefit of the investors. There are a variety of ways in which mutual funds are created to accommodate varied risk and return requirements of investors. Depending on the investment portfolio that is created and the segments of the various markets in which funds are invested, there is a choice of funds to investors. Mutual funds can offer further broad choices to the investors in terms of: Nature of participation: Open and close-end funds. Nature of income distribution: Dividend, growth and reinvestment of dividends. Mutual Fund Products based on the Nature of Participation 1. Open-Ended Mutual Funds An open-ended mutual fund remains open for issue and redemption of its shares throughout its unlimited duration. As an open-ended mutual fund is required to Continue reading
Things to Know Before Investing in Mutual Funds
Most important of all, there are certain precautions investors should take while investing in mutual funds: Always the investor should keep a photo copy of the application form. This can be filed to know the manner in which application was made (single, joint ownership and order of ownership). Investors will also be able to see how they have signed the forms (many investors change their signatures over time; some investors have different signatures for banking and investment transactions). Investors will also know the choice they have exercised (dividend and redemption option). The investor must preserve the counterfoil/acknowledgement issued by the collecting agency. This acknowledgement has the application number. If account statement or certificate is not received, the acknowledgement is the proof of purchase, with which investors can approach the registrar and the transfer agent. It is preferable to have joint ownership so that investments will pass on to the joint Continue reading