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Investment Strategies under Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) are a new category introduced by SEBI to bridge the gap between mutual funds and AIFs/PMS. They combine the regulatory and taxation benefits of mutual funds with the strategic flexibility of alternative funds. SIFs allow fund houses to launch strategies across equity, debt, and hybrid categories , with controlled use of derivatives and limited short exposure. Equity-Oriented Strategies Equity Long-Short Fund Open-ended or interval strategy. Minimum 80% investment in equity and equity-related instruments. Can take short positions through unhedged derivatives up to 25%. Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund Focuses on companies outside the top 100 by market capitalization. Minimum 65% allocation to equity in this segment. Short exposure allowed up to 25%. Sector Rotation Long-Short Fund Concentrated strategy investing in a maximum of four sectors. At ...

Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) – A New Era in Indian Investing Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) have officially entered India, creating a middle ground between mutual funds and portfolio management services. They combine the governance and tax benefits of mutual funds with the strategic flexibility of alternative investment funds (AIFs). 1. qSIF Equity Long-Short Fund Launch: September 17, 2025 NFO closes: October 1, 2025 Category: Flexi-cap equity long-short strategy Objective: To benefit from both rising and falling markets. Asset Allocation: 65–100% in all-cap cash equity/equity arbitrage 0–35% in all-cap unhedged derivative strategies (long) 0–25% in all-cap unhedged derivative strategies (short) 0–100% in hedging 0–15% in margins (cash, T-bills, G-secs) Minimum equity exposure (Long + Short): 80% Benchmark: Nifty 500 TRI Fund Managers: Sandeep Tandon, Lokesh Garg, Sameer Kate, Ankit Pande, Sanjeev Sharma 2. Altiva Hyb...

Asset Management Company (AMC): Meaning, Functions & Role in Investments What is an AMC? An Asset Management Company (AMC) pools money from investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities like gold and silver , with the goal of generating returns while managing risk. AMCs provide professional portfolio management, in-depth research, and robust risk assessment , all under regulatory oversight from SEBI to ensure transparency and protect investor interests. While managing money is the core objective, the AMC also creates a variety of products such as active funds, passive funds, Alternative Investment Funds, and pension funds . There are a variety of funds created by the AMC so that investors get an opportunity to invest in ready-made portfolios of different risk profiles. Role and Functions of an AMC The role of an Asset Management Company (AMC) is multifaceted . It plays a crucial role in mobilizing savings, channeling them in...

  Procedure to Claim Units / Proceeds upon Death of a Unitholder When a mutual fund unitholder passes away, the units held in their account need to be transferred (transmission) to the rightful claimant — either the surviving joint holder(s), the registered nominee(s), or the legal heirs, as applicable. Below are the detailed procedures and documents required under different scenarios: 1. Deletion of Name of Deceased Joint Holder (2nd and/or 3rd Holder) If one of the joint holders (other than the first holder) passes away: Form Required : Form T1 – Request by surviving holder(s) for deletion of the deceased holder’s name. Documents Needed : Death Certificate (original OR self-attested copy, notarized/gazetted officer attestation). Fresh Bank Mandate Form + cancelled cheque (if bank details are changing). Fresh Nomination Form (if no nomination exists or if surviving holders wish to update/change nomination). KYC compliance of surviving holders (process compl...

All About SIP – Systematic Investment Plan Explained Simply A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) is one of the most popular and convenient ways to invest in mutual funds . Instead of investing a big amount in one go, SIP allows you to invest a small fixed sum regularly – it could be monthly, quarterly, or even weekly. You can start a SIP with as little as ₹500 , making it affordable for everyone. Think of SIP like planting a tree – you water it regularly, and over time, it grows into something big. Similarly, SIP helps you create wealth step by step without worrying about market ups and downs. Why Should You Start a SIP? ✅ Rupee Cost Averaging – When markets are low, you automatically buy more units. When markets are high, you buy fewer units. Over time, this averages out the cost of your investments. ✅ Power of Compounding – SIP allows your money to earn returns, and those returns start earning more returns. The earlier you start, the more powerful compounding works in your fa...

  Mutual Fund Jargons Simplified For many investors, financial jargon often becomes a roadblock to understanding mutual funds. Let’s break down some commonly used terms so that you can navigate your investments with confidence. Core Terms You Must Know 1. Assets Under Management (AUM) AUM refers to the total market value of all the investments a mutual fund or investment firm manages on behalf of its investors. 2. Asset Management Company (AMC) An AMC is the professional manager of a mutual fund. It invests the pooled money in stocks, bonds, or other securities and takes care of all buy/sell decisions. 3. Net Asset Value (NAV) NAV is the per-unit value of a mutual fund, calculated after accounting for expenses. It is updated daily and determines the price at which investors buy or sell units of a scheme. 4. Units When you invest in a mutual fund, you receive units that represent your share in the scheme. For example, if you invest ₹10,000 in a fund with an NAV of ₹100, y...

  What is Inflation and How to Beat It Imagine this: you are currently earning ₹50,000 per month. Would the same amount be enough to maintain your present lifestyle ten years down the line? Most likely, the answer is no . That’s because the cost of goods and services tends to rise over time, and what feels sufficient today may fall short tomorrow. This steady increase in prices is called inflation . In simple terms, inflation reduces the purchasing power of money. Over time, the same amount of money buys you less than it did before. How Inflation Impacts You Daily essentials like groceries, fuel, and utilities get costlier every year. Long-term expenses such as healthcare, housing, and education rise significantly over time. Savings kept in low-yield instruments may fail to keep pace with inflation, eroding real wealth. How to Beat Inflation The most effective way to counter inflation is to invest in financial instruments that have the potential to generate retur...

  In the early years, investors often focus on capital appreciation —growing their wealth and taking advantage of long-term opportunities. However, as responsibilities increase and retirement nears, the focus naturally shifts toward capital preservation and generating a steady income stream . The key to achieving these goals lies in understanding the different investment avenues available and selecting those that align with your financial plan, risk appetite, and liquidity needs. Popular Investment Options in India 1. Bank Fixed Deposits (FDs) Bank FDs remain one of the most trusted investment options in India. The tenure and interest rate are fixed at the time of investment, ensuring predictability of returns. For conservative investors, FDs provide safety and stability. 2. Corporate Fixed Deposits Much like bank FDs, companies issue fixed deposits to borrow from investors. These generally offer higher interest rates but come with slightly higher risk since repayment depend...

  Why Invest in Mutual Funds? For many new investors, the financial markets can seem intimidating. Questions like “Which stock should I buy?” , “When is the right time to invest?” or “How do I manage risk?” often stop people from taking the first step. This is where mutual funds play an important role. Mutual funds allow investors to participate in financial markets through a vehicle that offers professional management, diversification, affordability, and convenience , thereby reducing risks compared to direct investing. Let’s explore the key benefits that make mutual funds one of the most popular investment choices. 1. Professional Management Every mutual fund scheme is managed by a qualified fund manager backed by a strong research and support team. These professionals study markets, analyze companies, monitor risks, and make informed buy-and-sell decisions on your behalf. This means you don’t need to worry about timing the market or choosing the right stocks/bonds you...

  Understanding the Different Types of Mutual Funds Mutual funds are one of the most popular investment options today. They pool money from multiple investors and invest across different asset classes, giving people the benefit of professional management, diversification, and liquidity. While mutual funds can be classified in many ways, the most practical approach is to look at them based on the asset class they invest in . Each asset class comes with its own level of risk and expected return. Alongside, funds can also be categorized by management style and investment structure . Let’s explore these in detail. Mutual Funds by Asset Class Equity Mutual Funds These funds invest in shares of domestic or international companies. Since stock markets can be volatile in the short term, equity funds are considered high-risk but high-return options. They are most suitable for long-term wealth creation. Debt Mutual Funds Debt funds invest in fixed income instruments such as gover...