Physical Gold Vs ETFs- Which one should you pick?

Let’s look at the two main ways to purchase Gold in India:

1) Physical gold via jewelry or coins

2) Gold mutual funds or ETFs

Why bother about the form of Gold you purchase?

If the purpose is consumption, for e.g., a wedding, you should buy gold physically.

But if you are looking to accumulate gold for instance for the marriage of your children or for investment purposes, you should consider buying gold ETFs.

Buying gold is a hassle

You have to check numerous things before buying gold jewelry or gold coins such as hallmark certificates for purity and physically look for an choose the right piece which suits your needs. There is then a 20%-30% making charge involved. In comparison buying gold via an ETF is as simple as buying any other mutual fund. You can even buy just 1 unit of gold whereas even the smallest piece of jewelry weighs a minimum of 4 grams.

Gold ETFs are economical and easily liquefiable

The only cost investors have to consider when buying gold ETFs is a minimal fund management fee of around 1%. ETFs can be easily sold back at prevailing market rates. In comparison, when selling physical gold in the market you stand to lose up to 25-30% of your initial investment as making charges are discounted for and typically jewelers buy back gold at 2-3% below prevailing market rates.

Tax benefits

After an ownership period of 3 years, physical gold attracts wealth tax and VAT, neither of which happens when you own ETFs.

Storage is expensive

Buyers need to find safe physical storage such as bank lockers to store their gold and this may prove expensive. But for Gold ETF, storage is taken care of by the fund. Investors hold the gold ETFs in a demat account, and don’t need to bother about its security as in the case of physical gold.

Quality Assurance of Gold ETFs

Gold ETFs are backed by gold of 99.5% purity, so investors can be assured about the quality of gold.

Do not be misled into purchasing the wrong form of Gold. Do consider your investment purpose carefully before heading out to purchase the shining metal.

Mutual Funds- How does it work and Why should you Invest in them?

One of the easiest ways to begin your journey as an investor today is to invest in a mutual fund. The concept of a Mutual fund is simple.

Article content:

One of the easiest ways to begin your journey as an investor today is to invest in a mutual fund. The concept of a Mutual fund is simple.

Money obtained from investors is pooled together. Investors may be individuals or companies.

A fund manager manages this pool of money and invests the cash on behalf of the investors. His goal varies depending on the type of fund he manages.

For example, a fixed-income fund manager seeks the highest yield at the lowest risk for his investors.

How you can benefit from Mutual Funds

A key reason for investing in mutual funds is that it’s simple and convenient.

But that’s not just it.

The industry is also tightly regulated in comparison to our friends in the banking and insurance sectors. In recent times, investing in Mutual Funds is being considered relatively as a safer and more lucrative option to certain financial instruments.

In addition, your investment will be managed as part of a pool by a professional fund manager who constantly monitors the stocks and bonds in the fund’s portfolio. We can certainly accept that a fund manager can devote considerably more time to selecting investments than an individual investor.

This is a very convenient option as you will be able to invest in an informed manner without having to stress over analyzing financial statements of companies and picking a stock yourselves.

So here’s our quick roundup on Why should you invest in Mutual Funds?

Low Minimum Investment: Start your investment from as low as Rs. 500/- in SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) or Rs. 5000/- in lump sum.
Liquidity: Unlike bank fixed deposits, mutual funds have a flexible withdrawal process, which makes availability of money possible easily. Investor can redeem their units at any point in time.
Professionally Managed: Once you invest through Mutual Funds, you can relax that an expert will make desired changes to scheme portfolio wherein you have invested.
Diversification: You can invest across different asset classes like equity, debt and gold allowing you to diversify your investments and protect it from inflation, recessions and any other market uncertainties.
You can achieve you goals, be it long-term, short-term, tax saving or your emergency needs.

Achieve Financial Goals: A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) will help you make the most of the compounding effect. You can find a suitable scheme for all your different financial goals such as wealth creation, child’s marriage or retirement.

Transparency: The Mutual fund industry is regulated by The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). SEBI has defined comprehensive processes, rules and regulations in order to protect the interest of investors and ensure transparency. It is mandatory for all Asset Management Companies (AMCs) to follow these processes and to disclose their scheme portfolios every month to maintain utmost transparency.

Mutual Fund Types and how do you choose

Mutual Funds are of many kinds and it’s easy to get lost even for an experienced investor amongst the wide array of funds available to you in the market.

To enable our investors to pick the best mutual fund to achieve their financial freedom, let’s understand in details, the ways in which mutual funds are classified.

Mutual funds can be classified on the basis of investment objective or on the basis of maturity period.

Closed vs. Open-Ended Funds

Open ended Funds

Subscription: Open ended Funds offer units for sale without specifying any duration for redemption.
Selling price: Redemption value is on the basis of the ongoing NAV
Maturity: Doesn’t have a set number of shares or maturity period
How is it traded: Not traded on the open market (like stocks), NAV of such schemes is generally less fluctuating
Liquidity: Can be redeemed anytime
Closed-ended funds

Subscription: Subscription opens at the time of New Fund Offer (NFO) and for a defined period only.
Selling Price: Price varies depending on supply and demand
Maturity: Set number of shares and a fixed maturity period.
How is it traded: Listed on a recognised stock exchange. They can be traded at any time of the day when the market is open
Liquidity: Fixed lock-in time period, however can be bought and sold on a recognized stock exchange where they are listed.
Mutual fund can be categorized as per asset classes. Broadly, they can be classified under the following seven broad categories:

Equity Mutual Fund
Debt Mutual Fund
Gold Mutual Fund
Multi Asset Fund
Hybrid Mutual Fund
Solution Oriented Schemes and
Other Mutual Fund
Knowing which fund is right for you is essential to making confident investment decisions to grow your wealth in a sustained manner.

What is an emergency fund and why do I need one?

This financial emergency could be in the form of

Medical expenses
A job loss
Repair work to your home or car
Unexpected travel expenses
or any other tough time.
2020 taught us the importance of saving for uncertainties, when unemployment rose and people started redeeming from their investments and increasing their debts. Having an emergency fund keeps you away from tapping into mutual funds reserved for long term goals.

How much to save

It is recommended that you need to have enough money at your disposal that can keep up with your consumption pattern for ideally 12 months. If your monthly expenses are Rs 50,000 then your emergency fund should save 50,000×12 = Rs.6,00,000 for your emergency fund.

However, the size of your emergency fund will vary depending on your lifestyle, monthly expenses, income, and financial dependents. Those who have EMIs or higher monthly expenses might need to start building a larger emergency corpus. If you have no financial obligations or if you are young, you can reduce your weightage to six months’ worth of expenses.

Where to invest

Follow the SLR (safety, liquidity, and return) philosophy while building this corpus. Consider financial instruments that prioritizes safety and liquidity of your money over returns. Consider bank deposits and liquid funds (with a short duration of 3 months) for building your emergency corpus. Those who are beginning to save can start with one month and then gradually build it up from there. As per SEBI norms, liquid funds invest in debt and money market securities with maturity of up to 91 days. The invested money is parked in market instruments such as Certificate of Deposits, Commercial Papers, Term Deposits, Call Money, Treasury Bills, and so on.

Things to consider when building your emergency corpus

Liquidity: Liquidity refers to how quickly your investments can be converted to cash. Invest in instruments that does not attract high penalties or exit loads.

Safety: Avoid saving in instruments that have high risk for capital erosion, instead, prioritize safety over returns.
Co-relation with other asset classes: Your investment portfolio has several asset classes, it’s important to evaluate how your emergency fund fits in with the rest of your portfolio.
Risk appetite: If you are conservative and have a low threshold for risk, you might want to consider a higher sum dedicated to your emergency fund.

How Forex Trading Can Change Your Financial Future

Foreign exchange or forex is the global marketplace for all the world’s currencies. It is the biggest financial market worldwide. Forex trading has many benefits that can impact your financial future. Every forex trader will tell you a different reason why it’s worth a try. There is also lots of information about this particular market out there. Understanding the impact it can have on your finances will help you make a more informed decision. Here are the financial benefits of forex trading.

High Liquidity
The Forex market is the most liquid in the world. The ease in which something can be sold or bought is referred to as liquidity in trading. There are a lot of traders looking to sell or buy at any time with forex. Over 5 trillion dollars’ worth of currencies is traded there every day by companies, banks, and individual traders. With the right prop trading firms, your chances of making trades and profits will seriously increase. If you are trading with major currency pairs, your assets will be exchanged with a variance to their values. The slight variance means little profit, but you can increase the earnings because of the high liquidity. It also allows you to trade with minimal risks.

Convenient Market Hours
All the trading transactions in forex are done through computer networks; there is no one-on-one centralized exchange. For that reason, one can trade at any time across all the time zones. The trading hours add to the financial advantages of forex trading. As long as there is one open market somewhere in the world, you can make a trade. However, on weekends the market is closed to retail traders. But banks and other related institutions continue operations on weekends. You can trade on weekends, but if you don’t want to expose yourself to gapping risks, close your operations on Friday too. The market has incredible hours and doesn’t require a lot of capital to get started. This means you can start with small amounts and grow from there; the convenient hours will boost your finances. All the trading is done over the counter (OTC), and since forex is a global market, you won’t lack someone to trade with.

Leverage Makes Your Money Go Further
You can benefit from leverage in forex, which is probably the most appealing advantage. Leverage is using borrowed funds to increase financial trading position. It’s offered mainly by brokers to give traders a chance to go beyond their cash limitations. That means you can increase your return on the investment. However, you should know that leverage can also amplify losses. So before you use it, you have to consider all the possibilities. It’s the only way to avoid losing your money in forex. When used correctly, leverage can make you impressive profits. Stop-loss orders are essential when you are using leverage. They will protect your trades from any unexpected market shifts. Your losses will not accumulate and limit your financial goals; instead, you will be able to trade and improve your trading position. You can leverage large amounts of money and make significant trades that you could not have managed with your finances. It’s just like any business opportunity; you have to weigh the risk and reward and how it will impact your finances.

Greater Volatility
Very many things influence the foreign exchange market. Some of the things that affect the market are trade deals, the political and economic stability of different countries. Natural disasters and the global economy can also influence it. What this means for you as a forex trader is, there can be plenty of opportunities to make massive profits. Significant shifts in currency values can happen at any time. But as much as this is an advantage, you have to recognize the changes can occur in any direction. If they are not in your favor, you may incur losses. Some major currency pairs like the Canadian Dollar/Japanese Yen and Australian Dollar/US Dollar are subject to high volatility. So if you want to take advantage of the greater volatility in the forex market, you need a well-tailored strategy. If you detect any potential risk, you have to ensure your assets are protected. The market can make you lots of profits if you learn how to navigate the risks.

Conclusion
If you take all these financial benefits into account, the forex market can change your financial future for the better. But as you can see, there are some potential risks. Ensure you use leverage sensibly and be wary of shifts in currency values. If you treat forex trading as an investment, the rewards will be immense.

Equity Investment in Emerging Themes

Investing in ESG Funds are considered to be ‘sustainable’ investing. They are essentially schemes that invest into companies that rank high on environment, social and good governance practices.

ESG schemes gained popularity since 2018 in India. While there are many ESG funds in the market, the Quantum India ESG Equity Fund is one such fund that was the frontrunner in the market. Since then, several players have entered the market. As per AMFI data in December, 2020, the combined assets under management of existing ESG funds in India are at Rs. 9,516 crores.

Socially Responsible Investing (SRI), was the predecessor to ESG mutual fund. Investors are beginning to recognize the importance of weighing both financial and non-financial metrics while making investment decisions. They well understand that lack of foresight on risk and responsibility management eventually translates into lower profitability and valuation. ESG investing aims to achieve the triple bottom line that is good for the people, planet and profits. ESG investing allows investors to express their own values and to ensure that their savings and investments reflect their preferences, without compromising on returns.

Mutual funds that incorporate ESG screening criteria in their equity selection prove to be better long-term custodians of investors capital, provide downside protection, and generate better long-term risk-adjusted returns for your clients.

it is important to evaluate where the companies that the equity scheme invests in faces the risk on account of ESG parameters, as ignoring these risks can have far-reaching consequences.

One might argue that responsible investing is just a passing trend. But a closer look at how the trend has gained momentum over the past 15 years suggests otherwise.

How to invest in ESG Equity Mutual Fund

While ESG equity investments should be on your investment portfolio, it’s best to invest in equities in a staggered manner to counter uncertainty and average out the cost of buying.

This is where systematic investment plans (SIPs) in mutual funds can help you make a disciplined investment route of investing in mutual funds.

It’s Not A Skills Gap But A Training Gap That We Need to Fix

The workforce is constantly evolving and the need for new skills and knowledge is becoming increasingly important. However, it is not always a lack of skills that are holding people back, but rather a lack of proper training and development opportunities. The skills gap discourse has been pervasive in recent years, but it’s time to shift the focus from just filling the gap to addressing the root cause of the problem: the training gap. And this can be fixed with the right amount of Leadership Training. In this article, we will explore why it’s essential to fix the training gap and how organizations can support their employees in their ongoing professional development.

This Training Gap Is Even More Crucial To Fill At Present, In These Post Pandemic Days
The training gap has taken on even greater importance in the post-pandemic world. The pandemic has disrupted traditional ways of working and accelerated the need for new skills and knowledge in many industries. Organizations must prioritize closing the training gap to ensure their employees are equipped with the skills through Leadership Training course and resources necessary to navigate this rapidly changing landscape and succeed in the new normal. Filling the training gap is not just important for individual employees, but also for the overall success and competitiveness of the organization.

The Lack Of Employability Skills Among Young People
Employability skills are the abilities and traits that make individuals competitive in the job market. There are various skills that young people are often missing, but some of the most common ones include:

Communication:
Effective communication is a critical skill for success in any job. Young people often struggle with clear and concise written and verbal communication.

Problem-solving:
The ability to analyze problems, generate solutions, and make decisions is essential in the workplace. Young people often lack experience in this area and need training and development to build these skills.

Critical thinking:
The ability to evaluate information, understand different perspectives, and make informed decisions is crucial in today’s rapidly changing world.

Teamwork:
Working effectively with others is a vital skill in many jobs. Young people often struggle with collaboration and may need training to develop the skills necessary to work effectively in teams.

Adaptability:
The ability to adapt to new situations and technologies is becoming increasingly important in the rapidly changing world of work.

These are just a few of the skills that young people may be missing, and it’s important for organizations to recognize and address these gaps through training and development opportunities.

These Leadership Training Programs are not only important for employees but also crucial for organizations to get a highly productive and skilled workforce.

Where Traditional Education Fails Leadership Training Programs Come Into Play
Traditional education has its limitations when it comes to preparing young people for the workforce and equipping them with the skills they need to succeed. While academic knowledge is important, it’s not enough to succeed in the modern workplace. This is where leadership training programs come into play.

Leadership Skills Training initiatives are designed to fill the gaps left by traditional education and provide young people with practical, hands-on experience in developing the skills they need to succeed. These programs focus on developing key competencies like communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork, and adaptability. They provide young people with the opportunity to practice these skills in real-world scenarios and receive feedback and guidance from experienced professionals.

By participating in Leadership Training Programs, young people are better equipped to enter the workforce with the skills and confidence they need to succeed. These programs also provide a competitive advantage for organizations that invest in them, as they ensure that their employees have the skills they need to thrive in today’s rapidly changing world.

Endnote
By now you must be convinced that it’s actually a training gap that needs to be addressed to better prepare young people for the workforce. Leadership Training offers a solution to this issue by providing hands-on experience and practical skills development. By investing in these programs, organizations can ensure that their employees have the skills and confidence they need to succeed in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

How L&D Can Create A Human-Centered Workplace?

In today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving work environment, organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of creating a human-centered workplace. A human-centered workplace places people at the center of everything, focusing on their well-being, growth, and development. In this context, Learning and Development (L&D) play a critical role in creating a culture that supports the needs and aspirations of employees. By offering Leadership Training Programs, coaching, and mentoring opportunities that align with employee goals and ambitions, L&D can foster a positive and engaging work environment that benefits both individuals and the organization as a whole. In this article, we’ll explore the key ways L&D can help create a human-centered workplace.

Aligning Employee Development With Business Goals
The first point of how L&D can create a human-centered workplace is by aligning employee development with business goals. By developing training programs that are closely tied to the strategic objectives of the organization, L&D can help employees understand how their personal growth and development align with the overall goals of the company.

This approach not only helps employees feel more connected to the organization’s mission but also enables them to see how their contributions make a meaningful impact. Additionally, when L&D efforts are directly linked to business objectives, organizations are better equipped to achieve their goals and remain competitive in the marketplace. By aligning employee development with business goals, L&D can create a win-win situation that benefits both employees and the organization.

Personalizing Learning Experiences
The second point of how L&D can create a human-centered workplace is by personalizing learning experiences for employees. Every employee has a unique skill set, learning style, and career goals. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all training approach for their Leadership Development may not be effective. L&D can create a human-centered workplace by offering personalized learning experiences that meet the specific needs of each employee.

By conducting needs assessments and utilizing data-driven insights, L&D can design Leadership Training Programs that cater to individual learning styles, knowledge levels, and career aspirations. Personalized learning experiences not only help employees acquire new skills and knowledge more effectively but also make them feel valued and supported. When employees receive training that is tailored to their needs and goals, they are more likely to feel engaged and motivated, leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity.

Promoting Continuous Learning And Development
The third way is by promoting continuous learning and development. In today’s rapidly changing work environment, it is critical for employees to keep learning and upskilling to remain relevant and competitive. L&D can create a human-centered workplace by offering continuous learning opportunities and Leadership Programs that enable employees to keep pace with the latest developments in their field. This can include a variety of options, such as online courses, coaching, job shadowing, and mentorship programs.

By promoting continuous learning, L&D can help employees stay engaged and motivated, and feel supported in their career growth. This, in turn, can lead to higher retention rates, as employees are more likely to stay with an organization that invests in their development. Moreover, a culture of continuous learning can help organizations stay agile and adaptable, ensuring they remain competitive in an ever-changing business landscape.

Providing Opportunities For Feedback And Growth
Another way of creating a human-centered workplace is by providing opportunities for feedback and growth. L&D can foster a culture of open communication and feedback, where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, ideas, and concerns. By providing regular feedback and growth opportunities, L&D can help employees feel valued and empowered, leading to increased engagement, Leadership Development, and job satisfaction.

This can include regular performance reviews, mentorship programs, or even opportunities to participate in decision-making processes. L&D can also encourage employees to take ownership of their development by setting achievable goals, tracking progress, and celebrating milestones. By providing a feedback-rich environment and opportunities for growth, L&D can create a human-centered workplace that supports the well-being and aspirations of its employees.

Final Words
In conclusion, a human-centered workplace is a critical component of a thriving and sustainable organization. L&D plays an essential role in creating such a workplace by aligning employee development and Leadership Programs with business goals, personalizing learning experiences, promoting continuous learning, and providing opportunities for feedback and growth.

By adopting these approaches, L&D can help create a culture that values and supports the well-being and aspirations of its employees, leading to increased engagement, job satisfaction, and productivity. Ultimately, investing in a human-centered workplace can benefit both employees and the organization, resulting in long-term success and a positive impact on society.

Documentation process while availing Gold Loan

The procedure of availing Gold loan

The method of obtaining a gold loan is quick. In times of need, a Dena Bank Gold Loan can be valuable. The procedure of availing Gold loans are

Application process
Document verification or Documentation
Purity Test of Gold
Loan Approval
Application protocol

The application is a process where one has to appeal to the respective authority for granting certain things. The application for a Gold loan can be completed in the bank in-person visit or digitally by visiting Dena Bank’s official website or app. An application contains some personal information along with gold information and other details.

Documentation

This is the most crucial process for acquiring loam. A simple background check is conducted to avoid fraud. KYC documents, along with two passport-sized photographs, are asked to be submitted.

One can submit any one of the Aadhar Card, Driving licenses, Voter IDs, PAN Card as Identity proof. Aadhar card, Ration card, passport, utility bills, or renter agreement for people residing on rent can be submitted as Address proof or residence proof.

The Borrower has to visit the Bank for this procedure. A bank representative will assess your KYC Documents.

Purity test of Gold

Bank authorities do the Purity test of Gold on the premises of the Bank. The purity test of Gold is an evaluation of Gold for its composition, weight, and impurities present in it. The loan amount is sanctioned based on the evaluated gold rate per gram. A purity test is a mandatory test.

Loan Approval

After completing all the procedures and meeting the Eligibility criteria, a Gold loan is sanctioned. A Sanction letter is issued in the name of the Borrower. A sanction letter contains details about the lending bank, loan scheme, gold rate per gram, interest rate, processing fee, prepayment options, tenure period, repayment options, etc., along with the Dena Bank’s terms and conditions. After depositing the evaluated Gold in the Bank, the loan amount is reflected in the Borrower’s account quickly.

Safety of Gold

The Gold deposited in the Bank is placed in the bag and marked by a unique application no. This is placed in the lockers present in the Bank. Lockers are present inside the Bank’s vault. It is safely guarded and kept under surveillance. Bank authorities only enter this room. Each locker has its specific keys. The keys are with one of the Bank authorities.

Repayment options

These choices are given for the fulfillment of the Debt. The loan amount has to be paid over the tenure period chosen by the Borrower. If the Borrower misses repaying an installment, he/she can renew or extend their tenure period, but this has to be done before the expiry of the tenure period.

The three options given for repayments are Bullet repayment scheme, Overdraft repayment scheme, and EMI option.

Bullet Payment Scheme
One has to repay towards month-end, and the principal amount is due at the end of tenure.

Overdraft Scheme
This scheme can be available for colossal loan amounts, and the interest is only charged on the amount disbursed by the Borrower.

Equated Monthly Instalments (EMI)
In EMI, an indicated amount by the Borrower gets deducted towards the end of the month. EMI can be calculated using EMI Calculator. Choices have been given to the Borrower for making a suitable EMI choice.

Standing Instruction (SI)- It is For Dena Bank account holders. The repayments are made towards month-end on the amount indicated by the borrowers.
Electronic Clearing Service (ECS)- It is for Non-Dena Bank account holders to digitally transfer the amount.
Post-Dated Checks (PDC)- to enable non-Dena Bank accounts to submit post-dated EMI cheques have to be submitted.

Voluntary provident fund (VPF) vs Debt Mutual fund

What is a Voluntary Provident Fund?

VPF is an employee savings scheme that comes under the traditional provident fund savings scheme. However, under the VPF scheme, the contributor can decide the fixed amount for a monthly contribution. This contribution is not part of the 12% contribution by an employee towards his EPF.

Advantages

Safe option to invest: Since the Indian Government operates the scheme, the risk involved is relatively less as compared to other various schemes of investing; also it is easier and safer to invest via a VPF account.
High rate of interest: Under the VPF scheme, the VPF interest rate is usually around 8.50% p.a. for FY 21-22.
Easy to open account: It is simple and easy to open a VPF account. Employees can open a VPF account once by submitting the registration form. The current EPF account shall also act as the VPF account.
Simple transfer process: If employees change their jobs, the process of transferring from the old company account to a new one is also quite simple.
Conclusion:

The VPF account is considered one of the best options to invest for a salaried person. Employees are eligible for tax benefits of up to Rs.1.5 lakh under Section 80C of the income Tax Act, 1961. The interest that is generated from these contributions is also generally exempt from tax. However, in case of VPF interest earned on employee contribution above Rs.2.5lakh p.a over Rs.1.75 Lakh basic salary., will be taxable. Investments towards a VPF account are viable because of its efficient rate of interest and tax benefits.

What is the meaning of a Debt Mutual Fund?

A debt mutual fund is a mutual fund scheme that invests in fixed income instruments, such as Government or Corporate Bonds, corporate debt securities, and money market instruments etc. Debt funds are also referred to as Fixed Income Funds or Bond Fund.

What are the four Advantages of a Debt Mutual Fund?

High liquidity: Debt mutual fund schemes, especially liquid funds, typically have a high degree of liquidity and investors may redeem their investments faster than others.
Tax efficiency: Debt Mutual fund schemes do have long and short-term capital gains tax. However, the benefit of indexation increases after three years of holding and succeeding years.
Flexibility: Using an STP, the debt mutual fund units can be easily transferred periodically to an equity scheme or any other scheme as per investor’s choice.
Diversification of investment: While choosing debt mutual funds, ensure to verify the portfolio. Generally, it is safer to invest in Debt Mutual Fund that invest Government securities and Government-issued papers, thereby reducing portfolio risk.
Conclusion

Firstly, Debt Mutual fund schemes help reduces overall portfolio risk as they help in diversification. When equity markets fall, debt investments cushion downside risks and may bring stability to returns.

Secondly, Debt Mutual funds are a good option for your short-term investment planning. The accumulated cash could be used for short-term goals like vacations, buying a gift, etc.