Equity/Growth Schemes
The aim of growth funds is to provide capital appreciation over the medium to long- term. Such schemes normally invest a major part of their corpus in equities. Such funds have comparatively high risks. These schemes provide different options to the investors like dividend option, capital appreciation, etc. and the investors may choose an option depending on their preferences. The investors must indicate the option in the application form. The mutual funds also allow the investors to change the options at a later date. Growth schemes are good for investors having a long-term outlook seeking appreciation over a period of time.
The aim of income funds is to provide regular and steady income to investors. Such schemes generally invest in fixed income securities such as bonds, corporate debentures, Government securities and money market instruments. Such funds are less risky compared to equity schemes. These funds are not affected because of fluctuations in equity markets. However, opportunities of capital appreciation are also limited in such funds. The NAVs of such funds are affected because of change in interest rates in the country. If the interest rates fall, NAVs of such funds are likely to increase in the short run and vice versa. However, long term investors may not bother about these fluctuations.
Sector Specific Schemes
These are the funds/schemes which invest in the securities of only those sectors or industries as specified in the offer documents. e.g. Pharmaceuticals, Software, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Petroleum stocks, etc. The returns in these funds are dependent on the performance of the respective sectors/industries. While these funds may give higher returns, they are more risky compared to diversified funds. Investors need to keep a watch on the performance of those sectors/industries and must exit at an appropriate time. They may also seek advice of an expert.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are usually passively managed mutual fund schemes tracking a benchmark index and reflect the performance of that index. These schemes are listed on the stock exchange and therefore have the flexibility of trading like a share on the stock exchange. It can also be looked as a security that tracks an index, a commodity or a basket of assets like an index fund, but trades like a stock on an exchange, thus experiencing price changes throughout the day as it is bought and sold.
Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs)
Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) are basically debt oriented investment schemes with a pre-specified tenure offered by mutual funds. FMPs invest in a portfolio of debt instruments whose maturity coincides with the maturity of the concerned FMP. The primary objective of a FMP is to generate income while aiming to protect the capital by investing in a portfolio of debt and money market securities. Since FMPs are available with several maturity options, one can invest in the relevant plan depending upon his investment horizon and the requirement of cash flows.
