With the rise in safe investment options—like Fixed Deposits, Fixed
Maturity Plan investments, and Debt Funds—all rallying for your
investment by offering higher interest, it may be time to understand
your options and pick the right investment for your needs.
Understanding the Different Investment Options
Fixed Deposit: An FD is an investment option offered by lenders, which offers a higher interest as compared to a savings account and comes with a predetermined maturity date. It contains a lock-in period but allows for liquidity during times of need or emergency.
Fixed Maturity Plan: An FMP is a close-ended debt mutual fund. As an FMP has a definite date of maturity, it invests in only those financial instruments that have a similar duration to its own term.
Debt Fund: A Debt Fund is a part of a pool of investment—similar to an exchange-traded or mutual fund—where a majority of the holdings are fixed income investments. A debt fund can comprise of short term or long term bonds, money market instruments, securitized products, and floating rate debt.
A Comparison Based on What Investors Look For:
Now that the definitions are clear, here are the differentiating characteristics of the three types:
FMP: The returns are not fixed and are subject to market risks.
DF: The return of investment is not assured, and any change in the market situations will change the net asset value [NAV] of the fund.
FMP: In this financial investment option, the money invested is locked-in for the duration of the plan.
DF: The units of debt funds held can be liquidated in the market at any time and money realised, typically in just one day.
FMP: The short-term [less than three years] capital gain from a fixed maturity plan is calculated as income earned and taxed as applicable during the financial year.
DF: The taxation for debt funds is similar to fixed maturity plan with short term gains facing the full income tax charge.
FMP: The returns are not guaranteed and vary depending on market fluctuations.
DF: There is no guarantee of the returns as it depends on market fluctuations. In fact, in certain cases, the principle can also be eroded.
Armed with the above insight, it is clear that the fixed deposit scheme is the most efficient, offering the best security for your investment and allowing you the flexibility of liquidity. In fact, with mobile apps and internet banking, it is no longer even necessary to visit the bank branch to liquidate or even start the FD account.
Among the lenders who offer Fixed Deposit schemes, consider Bajaj Finance, as they offer competitive interest rates, easy documentation and an online application process making the process easy and convenient.
Fixed Deposit: An FD is an investment option offered by lenders, which offers a higher interest as compared to a savings account and comes with a predetermined maturity date. It contains a lock-in period but allows for liquidity during times of need or emergency.
Fixed Maturity Plan: An FMP is a close-ended debt mutual fund. As an FMP has a definite date of maturity, it invests in only those financial instruments that have a similar duration to its own term.
Debt Fund: A Debt Fund is a part of a pool of investment—similar to an exchange-traded or mutual fund—where a majority of the holdings are fixed income investments. A debt fund can comprise of short term or long term bonds, money market instruments, securitized products, and floating rate debt.
A Comparison Based on What Investors Look For:
Now that the definitions are clear, here are the differentiating characteristics of the three types:
Return on Investment:
Fixed Deposit: Here, the rate of return is predetermined when starting the FD account with the lender, so you are sure of the amount that you will receive on maturity. You can use FD calculator to make it simplify the process.FMP: The returns are not fixed and are subject to market risks.
DF: The return of investment is not assured, and any change in the market situations will change the net asset value [NAV] of the fund.
Liquidity:
FD: Most lenders allow premature withdrawal of the fixed deposit accounts before the date of maturity. The interest will be calculated based on the number of days for which the fixed deposit was with the lender. However, some financial companies can charge you an early withdrawal penalty.FMP: In this financial investment option, the money invested is locked-in for the duration of the plan.
DF: The units of debt funds held can be liquidated in the market at any time and money realised, typically in just one day.
Taxation:
FD: The interest earned on a fixed deposit will be taxed as income earned during the financial year. Further, in case the fixed deposit interest income is over Rs.10,000 in a financial year, a TDS of 10% will be deducted by the lender.FMP: The short-term [less than three years] capital gain from a fixed maturity plan is calculated as income earned and taxed as applicable during the financial year.
DF: The taxation for debt funds is similar to fixed maturity plan with short term gains facing the full income tax charge.
Safety of Returns:
FD: The fixed deposit interest rate is predetermined and guaranteed.FMP: The returns are not guaranteed and vary depending on market fluctuations.
DF: There is no guarantee of the returns as it depends on market fluctuations. In fact, in certain cases, the principle can also be eroded.
Armed with the above insight, it is clear that the fixed deposit scheme is the most efficient, offering the best security for your investment and allowing you the flexibility of liquidity. In fact, with mobile apps and internet banking, it is no longer even necessary to visit the bank branch to liquidate or even start the FD account.
Among the lenders who offer Fixed Deposit schemes, consider Bajaj Finance, as they offer competitive interest rates, easy documentation and an online application process making the process easy and convenient.
No comments:
Post a Comment