Mutual Fund Investment: When is the right time to start investing in mutual funds? (2024)

Whether you’re a young professional or approaching retirement, there are mutual fund options suited to your needs. Remember, consistent investing over time coupled with a diversified portfolio can help you achieve your financial goals.

Investing in mutual funds can be a powerful tool for wealth creation, especially in a country like India with a growing economy and a burgeoning middle class. However, the question of when to start investing in mutual funds is one that many individuals grapple with. The simple answer? The sooner, the better. Let’s delve deeper into why and how to get started.

Before diving into the timing aspect, let’s understand what mutual funds are. Mutual funds are investment vehicles that pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. They are managed by professional fund managers who make investment decisions on behalf of investors.

Starting Early for Compounding Benefits

One of the most compelling reasons to start investing in mutual funds early is the power of compounding. Compounding refers to earning returns not just on your initial investment but also on the returns generated over time. The longer your money remains invested, the greater the compounding effect.

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Adhil Shetty, CEO, Bankbazaar.com, explains, “Early investment can significantly grow your wealth over time. Firstly, it leverages the power of compounding, where your investment generates returns not just on the principal but also on the accumulated earnings. Starting early allows more time for your money to grow exponentially, leading to substantial wealth accumulation in the long run.”

“Secondly, early investments help mitigate the impact of market fluctuations. By staying invested for a longer duration, you can ride out market volatility and potentially benefit from rupee cost averaging, where you buy more units when prices are low and fewer units when prices are high. This strategy can lead to a more balanced and stable investment journey, reducing the risk of short-term losses impacting your overall returns,” adds Shetty.

Let’s understand this with an example. Suppose you start investing Rs 5,000 per month in a mutual fund SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) at an average annual return of 12%. Here’s how your investment grows over time:

  1. After 5 years: ₹4.13 lakh
  2. After 10 years: ₹11.55 lakh
  3. After 20 years: ₹49.16 lakh
  4. After 30 years: ₹1.47 crore

Time in the Market

A common concern among investors is timing the market – trying to invest when prices are low and sell when they are high. However, this approach is notoriously difficult to execute consistently. Instead, focus on “time in the market” rather than “timing the market.”

By starting early and staying invested through market cycles, you benefit from rupee cost averaging. In an SIP, you invest a fixed amount regularly, buying more units when prices are low and fewer units when prices are high. Over time, this strategy can help smooth out market volatility and potentially enhance returns.

Investing at Different Life Stages

  • Young Professionals: Starting early is advantageous due to a longer investment horizon. Begin with equity-oriented funds for higher growth potential.
  • Middle-Aged Investors: Balance growth and stability with a mix of equity, debt, and hybrid funds based on your risk profile and financial goals.
  • Near Retirement: Shift towards more stable options like debt funds to preserve capital and generate regular income.

In conclusion, the best time to start investing in mutual funds is as soon as possible. Whether you’re a young professional or approaching retirement, there are mutual fund options suited to your needs. Remember, consistent investing over time coupled with a diversified portfolio can help you achieve your financial goals. Don’t wait for the perfect moment – start investing and harness the power of compounding to build wealth over the long term.

Mutual Fund Investment: When is the right time to start investing in mutual funds? (2024)

FAQs

When should you start investing in mutual funds? ›

There is no better time to start investing. It is very difficult to time the markets and although the markets are due for a correction, it would not be wise to wait further. Also, when it comes to SIPs, there is not much merit in timing the markets. We would suggest you invest in different mutual fund categories.

What is the minimum time to invest in a mutual fund? ›

The minimum holding time requirement applicable to mutual funds is one day. This is because the fund determines the applicable purchase price of the fund's units/shares on a daily basis. The price depends on the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the fund as of the purchase date.

Is it best time to invest in mutual funds when market is down? ›

You can't predict markets.

Nobody can predict the market movements. Hence, instead of focusing on timing the market, one should be disciplined and should keep on investing in equity mutual funds irrespective of the market fluctuations. In the long term, these short term fluctuations do not affect your investments.

When should I invest in a one time mutual fund? ›

High growth potential: Investing a substantial amount in one go can lead to significant growth, especially during market upswings. Ideal for long-term goals: Lumpsum investments are well-suited for long-term financial goals as they allow the investment to compound over a more extended period.

When should you start to invest? ›

Don't delay. Starting early is crucial in investing, even if you can't invest a lot at first. In a market that has generally gone up more than it's gone down over the years, it's ideal to invest as early as possible. In the long run, your resilience as an investor could matter more than the day you buy your first stock ...

Is it worth to invest in mutual funds now? ›

Mutual fund investments when used right can lead to good returns, keeping risk at a minimum, especially when compared with individual stocks or bonds. These are especially great for people who are not experts in stock market dynamics as these are run by experienced fund managers.

How much money do I need to invest to make $1000 a month? ›

A stock portfolio focused on dividends can generate $1,000 per month or more in perpetual passive income, Mircea Iosif wrote on Medium. “For example, at a 4% dividend yield, you would need a portfolio worth $300,000.

What if I invest $1,000 a month in mutual funds for 20 years? ›

If you invest Rs 1000 for 20 years , if we assume 12 % return , you would get Approx Rs 9.2 lakhs. Invested amount Rs 2.4 Lakh.

What is the best mutual fund to invest in in 2024? ›

MUTUAL FUNDS
  • Nippon India Small Cap Fund. ...
  • HSBC Small Cap Fund. ...
  • Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund. ...
  • Tata Small Cap Fund. ...
  • Bandhan Small Cap Fund. ...
  • Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund. ...
  • Invesco India Smallcap Fund. ...
  • Bank of India Smallcap Fund. Bank of India Smallcap Fund achieved a return of 29.99% over the last three years.
2 days ago

What to do with mutual funds during a recession? ›

A far better strategy is to build a diversified mutual fund portfolio. A properly constructed portfolio, including a mix of both stock and bonds funds, provides an opportunity to participate in stock market growth and cushions your portfolio when the stock market is in decline.

What month is best to buy mutual funds? ›

There is no "best time to invest in mutual funds”. Mutual fund investments are not subject to any time restrictions or modalities. This suggests that you can invest whenever you like and in whatever way you like.

What happens to mutual funds if the market crashes? ›

However, during a market crash, stock prices come down. This, in turn, pulls down the performance of mutual funds holding these stocks. Companies, too, face a tough time with their operations taking a hit, and it takes time for stocks to recover. Performance improves only when stocks recover lost ground.

Where to put a Lumpsum of money? ›

What should I do with my lump sum?
  • Put it in a savings account - If you want to keep your money safe and let it earn interest, then a savings account is an option. ...
  • Put it in a bank account - If you think you'll be spending money, then you could just keep it in your regular bank account.

What is the 30 day rule for mutual funds? ›

Roundtrip Transactions

A roundtrip is a mutual fund purchase or exchange purchase followed by a sell or exchange sell within 30 calendar days in the same fund and account. For example, if you purchased a fund on May 1, selling the fund prior to May 31 would incur a roundtrip violation.

What is the best way to invest a Lumpsum of money? ›

Over time, this profit is based mainly on the amount of risk associated with the investment. So, for example, less-risky investments like certificates of deposit (CDs) or savings accounts generally earn a low rate of return, and higher-risk investments like stocks generally earn a higher rate of return.

Should I invest in mutual funds at 18? ›

Spending every penny you earn when you're young is tempting, but investing at 18 or even earlier puts you far ahead of the game later in life. You could potentially grow your investments much more, and you'll have a better understanding of the financial system.

Is it too late to start investing at 25? ›

Here's the real truth: It's never too late to start growing your money. And while time does matter when it comes to investing, it doesn't need to matter in the way you might think. You may be surprised at the impact just a few years can have on your savings.

Are mutual funds good for beginner investors? ›

Mutual funds are often attractive to investors because they are widely diversified. Diversification helps to minimize risk to an investment. Rather than having to research and make an individual decision as to each type of asset to include in a portfolio, mutual funds offer a single comprehensive investment vehicle.

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