Investing in the stock market is like riding the waves as a surfer. Just as a surfer needs skills, experience, and timing to navigate the waves successfully, an investor needs knowledge, expertise, and market insight to make the right investment decisions. However, timing the market can be challenging, and constantly monitoring market movements can be time-consuming. This is where Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) come in.
Systematic Investment Plans – what are these?
Another easier way to overcome market volatility is through systematic investment plans (SIPs). When you start an SIP, a predetermined amount is invested in your chosen mutual funds at regular intervals. A disciplined investment approach is beneficial to build wealth over the long-term. Here is how SIPs simplify your investment journey:
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Does not require a huge amount
You can start an SIP investment with as little as INR 500, which is an affordable way to make regular investments. Therefore, you can start your journey even if you have limited earnings. Moreover, the amount can be increased as your earnings rise over the years to build a larger corpus.
Also read: How to Invest in SIP?
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Compounding effect
A significant benefit of investing in SIP is the compounding effect. The earnings of your SIPs are reinvested, which allows you to compound the total earnings. The compounding effect can be a highly efficient way to build wealth over the long-term.
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Cost averaging
The SIP amount is invested in the chosen funds on a predetermined date at regular intervals. Therefore, a fixed amount is regularly invested at different levels without actively timing the market. You don’t need to worry about varying market cycles and determining the right time to invest your funds. Rupee cost averaging allows you to accumulate more units when the markets are down and vice versa. This helps to average your purchase price and reduce the effects of short-term market volatility.
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Convenient
SIPs are a convenient way to achieve investment discipline and do not require proactive tracking every market move. These are one of the excellent ways of investing on autopilot where a predetermined amount is invested on a particular date as per your convenience. You can choose monthly, quarterly, or half-yearly option. Some mutual fund houses offer smart SIPs that allow varied contributions based on certain pre-specified criteria like price-earnings ratio or index levels. You can also increase or decrease the SIP amount based on your financial situation.
Also read: How to change your SIP instructions - Step up, Pause or Stop?
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Relatively better returns
Mutual fund schemes are professionally managed by experienced professionals with proven track records. Fund managers are assisted by a team of qualified research analysts and consistently aim to generate optimum returns on the fund corpus. Investing via SIPs allows you to benefit from the professional expertise of the fund managers at an affordable investment made at regular intervals. Additionally, if you invest in tax-saving mutual funds or equity-linked saving schemes (ELSS), you can enjoy tax benefits of up to INR 1.5 lakh under section 80C of the Income Tax Act.
Also read: What Is ELSS Mutual Fund
The multiple benefits offered by SIPs make it an affordable and rewarding strategy to earn inflation-beating returns on investments and build a higher corpus to meet your long-term financial goals. However, like other investment options, mutual funds have certain risks, and you should ensure the chosen funds meet your strategy, risk appetite, and investment horizon.
SIPs make investing simple, is light on the pocket, doesn’t require you to time the market, and builds investment discipline to achieve your financial goals.
SIP DISCLAIMER:
SIP does not assure a profit or guarantee protection against loss in a declining market. Nothing contained herein shall amount to an offer, invitation, advertisement, promotion or sponsor of any product or services. In view of individual nature of tax consequences, each investor is advised to consult his / her own professional tax advisor before taking any investment decision.
Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.