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6 Best Debt Mutual Funds for Lump sum Investments 2025
Debt Mutual Fund schemes in India have grown over the years. As a result, the best performing mutual debt funds in the Market keep on changing. There are various rating systems in place to judge a mutual fund scheme, namely CRISIL, Morning Star, ICRA. These systems evaluate a mutual fund in terms of returns, Standard Deviation, credit quality of securities, rate movement guidance by RBI, etc.
Why To Invest Lump Sum in Debt Mutual Funds?
- Better return than prevailing Fixed Deposit (FD) & Recurring deposit (RD) rates across banks
- Returns are linked to debt markets
- Immediate (T+1) Redemption online
- Indexation (Debt Taxation benefits) benefits on returns over three years
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Best Lumpsum Debt Mutual Funds FY 25 - 26
Below are the top ranked funds from Debt Categories primarily funds having AUM > 500 Crore & are in Ultra-short, Corporate bond, Credit Risk, Low Duration sub categories && Having maturity of less than 3 years and providing highest yields.
Top 6 Lump sum Debt Mutual Funds
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) Min Investment 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 2024 (%) Debt Yield (YTM) Mod. Duration Eff. Maturity Nippon India Credit Risk Fund Growth ₹35.1228
↑ 0.01 ₹1,017 500 2.6 5.3 9.7 8.2 8.3 8.17% 1Y 10M 28D 2Y 3M 25D Kotak Credit Risk Fund Growth ₹29.5981
↑ 0.03 ₹704 5,000 2.7 5.3 8.1 7.2 7.1 8% 2Y 2M 12D 2Y 9M 11D SBI Credit Risk Fund Growth ₹45.7979
↓ -0.01 ₹2,245 5,000 2.2 4.9 8.9 8.1 8.1 7.85% 2Y 1M 28D 2Y 11M 12D L&T Credit Risk Fund Growth ₹32.4032
↑ 0.00 ₹657 10,000 13.3 17.4 21.5 11.3 7.2 7.19% 2Y 1M 17D 2Y 10M 6D Nippon India Low Duration Fund Growth ₹3,756.65
↓ -0.01 ₹7,663 500 2.1 4.3 8 7.1 7.4 7% 11M 10D 1Y 2M 20D HDFC Low Duration Fund Growth ₹57.9635
↑ 0.01 ₹22,354 5,000 2.2 4.3 8 7.3 7.4 6.98% 10M 28D 1Y 10M 20D Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 4 Jul 25
(Erstwhile Reliance Regular Savings Fund - Debt Plan) The primary investment objective of this option is to generate optimal returns consistent with moderate level of risk. This income may be complemented by capital appreciation of the portfolio. Accordingly investments shall predominantly be made in Debt & Money Market Instruments. Nippon India Credit Risk Fund is a Debt - Credit Risk fund was launched on 8 Jun 05. It is a fund with Moderate risk and has given a Below is the key information for Nippon India Credit Risk Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Kotak Income Opportunities Fund) The investment objective of the scheme is to generate income by investing in debt/ and money market securities across the yield curve and credit spectrum. The scheme will also seek to maintain reasonable liquidity within the fund. Kotak Credit Risk Fund is a Debt - Credit Risk fund was launched on 11 May 10. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for Kotak Credit Risk Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile SBI Corporate Bond Fund) The investment objective will be to actively manage a portfolio of good
quality corporate debt as well as Money Market Instruments so as to provide
reasonable returns and liquidity to the Unit holders. However there is no
guarantee or assurance that the investment objective of the scheme will
be achieved. SBI Credit Risk Fund is a Debt - Credit Risk fund was launched on 19 Jul 04. It is a fund with Moderate risk and has given a Below is the key information for SBI Credit Risk Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile L&T Income Opportunities Fund) The Scheme seeks to generate regular returns and capital appreciation by investing in debt (including securitised debt), government and money market securities. L&T Credit Risk Fund is a Debt - Credit Risk fund was launched on 8 Oct 09. It is a fund with Moderate risk and has given a Below is the key information for L&T Credit Risk Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Reliance Money Manager Fund) The investment objective of the Scheme is to generate optimal returns consistent with moderate levels of risk and liquidity by investing in debt securities and money market securities. Nippon India Low Duration Fund is a Debt - Low Duration fund was launched on 20 Mar 07. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for Nippon India Low Duration Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile HDFC Cash Management Fund - Treasury Advantage Plan) To generate regular income through investment in debt securities and money market instruments. HDFC Low Duration Fund is a Debt - Low Duration fund was launched on 18 Nov 99. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for HDFC Low Duration Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. Nippon India Credit Risk Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 6.5% since its launch. Ranked 21 in Credit Risk category. Return for 2024 was 8.3% , 2023 was 7.9% and 2022 was 3.9% . Nippon India Credit Risk Fund
Growth Launch Date 8 Jun 05 NAV (04 Jul 25) ₹35.1228 ↑ 0.01 (0.02 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹1,017 on 31 May 25 Category Debt - Credit Risk AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.63 Sharpe Ratio 3.34 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 500 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load 0-12 Months (1%),12 Months and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 8.17% Effective Maturity 2 Years 3 Months 25 Days Modified Duration 1 Year 10 Months 28 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 20 ₹10,000 30 Jun 21 ₹10,899 30 Jun 22 ₹12,030 30 Jun 23 ₹12,938 30 Jun 24 ₹13,920 30 Jun 25 ₹15,246 Returns for Nippon India Credit Risk Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Jul 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.7% 3 Month 2.6% 6 Month 5.3% 1 Year 9.7% 3 Year 8.2% 5 Year 8.8% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 8.3% 2023 7.9% 2022 3.9% 2021 13.5% 2020 -5.9% 2019 1.9% 2018 6.1% 2017 7% 2016 10% 2015 8.8% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Credit Risk Fund
Name Since Tenure Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 7.02 Yr. Sushil Budhia 1 Feb 20 5.33 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Credit Risk Fund as on 31 May 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 5.92% Debt 93.8% Other 0.28% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 78.94% Government 14.86% Cash Equivalent 5.92% Credit Quality
Rating Value A 25.19% AA 44.71% AAA 30.1% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.02% Govt Stock 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -8% ₹78 Cr 7,500,000 Summit Digitel Infrastructure Limited
Debentures | -6% ₹60 Cr 600 Renew Solar Energy (Jharkhand Five) Private Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹49 Cr 5,000 TRuhome Finance Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹41 Cr 4,000 Jubilant Bevco Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹40 Cr 4,000
↑ 4,000 Mancherial Repallewada Road Private Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹40 Cr 4,500
↑ 4,500 Prestige Projects Private Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹40 Cr 4,000 The Sandur Manganese And Iron Ores Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹39 Cr 4,000 Bamboo Hotel And Global Centre (Delhi) Private Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹38 Cr 3,800 Delhi International Airport Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹36 Cr 3,500 2. Kotak Credit Risk Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 7.4% since its launch. Ranked 18 in Credit Risk category. Return for 2024 was 7.1% , 2023 was 6.4% and 2022 was 0.9% . Kotak Credit Risk Fund
Growth Launch Date 11 May 10 NAV (04 Jul 25) ₹29.5981 ↑ 0.03 (0.12 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹704 on 31 May 25 Category Debt - Credit Risk AMC Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 1.7 Sharpe Ratio 0.76 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 8% Effective Maturity 2 Years 9 Months 11 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 2 Months 12 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 20 ₹10,000 30 Jun 21 ₹10,744 30 Jun 22 ₹10,837 30 Jun 23 ₹11,421 30 Jun 24 ₹12,349 30 Jun 25 ₹13,328 Returns for Kotak Credit Risk Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Jul 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.7% 3 Month 2.7% 6 Month 5.3% 1 Year 8.1% 3 Year 7.2% 5 Year 5.9% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.4% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 7.1% 2023 6.4% 2022 0.9% 2021 5.3% 2020 6.6% 2019 9% 2018 6.2% 2017 6.6% 2016 10.4% 2015 9.1% Fund Manager information for Kotak Credit Risk Fund
Name Since Tenure Deepak Agrawal 11 May 10 15.07 Yr. Sunit garg 1 Nov 22 2.58 Yr. Data below for Kotak Credit Risk Fund as on 31 May 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 8.81% Equity 6% Debt 81.32% Other 3.87% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 67.69% Government 13.63% Cash Equivalent 8.81% Credit Quality
Rating Value A 15.52% AA 62.41% AAA 22.08% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.18% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -9% ₹63 Cr 5,965,000 TATA Projects Limited
Debentures | -7% ₹51 Cr 5,000 Jubilant Bevco Limited
Debentures | -7% ₹51 Cr 500
↑ 500 Vedanta Limited
Debentures | -7% ₹50 Cr 5,000 Bamboo Hotel And Global Centre (Delhi) Private Limited
Debentures | -7% ₹50 Cr 5,000 Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited
Debentures | -7% ₹46 Cr 4,500 Aditya Birla Renewables Limited
Debentures | -6% ₹41 Cr 4,000 Indostar Capital Finance Limited
Debentures | -6% ₹40 Cr 4,000 Au Small Finance Bank Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹30 Cr 30 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -4% ₹25 Cr 2,500 3. SBI Credit Risk Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 7.5% since its launch. Ranked 3 in Credit Risk category. Return for 2024 was 8.1% , 2023 was 8.3% and 2022 was 4.2% . SBI Credit Risk Fund
Growth Launch Date 19 Jul 04 NAV (04 Jul 25) ₹45.7979 ↓ -0.01 (-0.01 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹2,245 on 31 May 25 Category Debt - Credit Risk AMC SBI Funds Management Private Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.56 Sharpe Ratio 2.32 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-12 Months (3%),12-24 Months (1.5%),24-36 Months (0.75%),36 Months and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 7.85% Effective Maturity 2 Years 11 Months 12 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 1 Month 28 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 20 ₹10,000 30 Jun 21 ₹10,754 30 Jun 22 ₹11,156 30 Jun 23 ₹12,075 30 Jun 24 ₹12,973 30 Jun 25 ₹14,103 Returns for SBI Credit Risk Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Jul 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.6% 3 Month 2.2% 6 Month 4.9% 1 Year 8.9% 3 Year 8.1% 5 Year 7.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 8.1% 2023 8.3% 2022 4.2% 2021 5% 2020 9.8% 2019 6.5% 2018 6.2% 2017 6.9% 2016 10.5% 2015 9.7% Fund Manager information for SBI Credit Risk Fund
Name Since Tenure Lokesh Mallya 1 Feb 17 8.33 Yr. Data below for SBI Credit Risk Fund as on 31 May 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 10.55% Equity 2.82% Debt 86.27% Other 0.35% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 71.14% Government 15.13% Cash Equivalent 10.55% Credit Quality
Rating Value A 18.54% AA 64.34% AAA 17.12% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.23% Govt Stock 2039
Sovereign Bonds | -9% ₹199 Cr 19,000,000 Aadhar Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹113 Cr 11,200 Nirma Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹112 Cr 11,000 Renew Solar Energy (Jharkhand Five) Private Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹107 Cr 11,000 Infopark Properties Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹106 Cr 10,500 Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹87 Cr 8,500 The Sandur Manganese And Iron Ores Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹84 Cr 8,500 6.79% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹82 Cr 8,000,000 Avanse Financial Services Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹81 Cr 8,000 Renserv Global Private Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹80 Cr 8,000 4. L&T Credit Risk Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 7.8% since its launch. Ranked 12 in Credit Risk category. Return for 2024 was 7.2% , 2023 was 6.5% and 2022 was 3.2% . L&T Credit Risk Fund
Growth Launch Date 8 Oct 09 NAV (04 Jul 25) ₹32.4032 ↑ 0.00 (0.02 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹657 on 31 May 25 Category Debt - Credit Risk AMC L&T Investment Management Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.65 Sharpe Ratio 1.18 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 10,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 7.19% Effective Maturity 2 Years 10 Months 6 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 1 Month 17 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 20 ₹10,000 30 Jun 21 ₹10,911 30 Jun 22 ₹11,362 30 Jun 23 ₹12,075 30 Jun 24 ₹12,879 30 Jun 25 ₹15,639 Returns for L&T Credit Risk Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Jul 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.4% 3 Month 13.3% 6 Month 17.4% 1 Year 21.5% 3 Year 11.3% 5 Year 9.4% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 7.2% 2023 6.5% 2022 3.2% 2021 5.7% 2020 5% 2019 2.3% 2018 5.6% 2017 7.2% 2016 10.1% 2015 9.4% Fund Manager information for L&T Credit Risk Fund
Name Since Tenure Shriram Ramanathan 24 Nov 12 12.61 Yr. Data below for L&T Credit Risk Fund as on 31 May 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 16.62% Debt 83.13% Other 0.25% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 65.72% Cash Equivalent 18.94% Government 15.1% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 65.36% AAA 34.64% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited
Debentures | -8% ₹53 Cr 500 Tata Housing Development Company Limited
Debentures | -6% ₹36 Cr 3,500 7.32% Govt Stock 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -5% ₹32 Cr 3,000,000 Ongc Petro Additions Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹27 Cr 2,500 Aditya Birla Renewables Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹27 Cr 2,500 Nirma Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹26 Cr 2,500 Rec Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹26 Cr 2,500
↑ 2,500 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -4% ₹26 Cr 2,500 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -4% ₹26 Cr 2,500 JSW Steel Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹25 Cr 250 5. Nippon India Low Duration Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 7.5% since its launch. Ranked 31 in Low Duration category. Return for 2024 was 7.4% , 2023 was 6.7% and 2022 was 4.2% . Nippon India Low Duration Fund
Growth Launch Date 20 Mar 07 NAV (04 Jul 25) ₹3,756.65 ↓ -0.01 (0.00 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹7,663 on 31 May 25 Category Debt - Low Duration AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.94 Sharpe Ratio 2.32 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 500 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7% Effective Maturity 1 Year 2 Months 20 Days Modified Duration 11 Months 10 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 20 ₹10,000 30 Jun 21 ₹10,530 30 Jun 22 ₹10,887 30 Jun 23 ₹11,566 30 Jun 24 ₹12,359 30 Jun 25 ₹13,351 Returns for Nippon India Low Duration Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Jul 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.6% 3 Month 2.1% 6 Month 4.3% 1 Year 8% 3 Year 7.1% 5 Year 5.9% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 7.4% 2023 6.7% 2022 4.2% 2021 4.1% 2020 7.3% 2019 7% 2018 7.4% 2017 6.6% 2016 8.5% 2015 8.4% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Low Duration Fund
Name Since Tenure Vivek Sharma 1 Feb 20 5.33 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 7.02 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Low Duration Fund as on 31 May 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 30.55% Debt 69.14% Other 0.3% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 69.04% Government 22.4% Cash Equivalent 8.26% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 14.29% AAA 85.71% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity India (Republic of)
- | -5% ₹395 Cr 40,000,000
↑ 40,000,000 Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹202 Cr 20,000 Interise TRust
Debentures | -2% ₹173 Cr 18,000 Highways Infrastructure Trust
Debentures | -2% ₹172 Cr 1,750 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹153 Cr 15,000 Rec Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹152 Cr 15,000 VAJRA 016 TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹149 Cr 100 NAOMI 05 2024
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹148 Cr 10,000 Hinduja Leyland Finance Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹143 Cr 14,000 Shriram Finance Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹137 Cr 13,500 6. HDFC Low Duration Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 7.1% since its launch. Return for 2024 was 7.4% , 2023 was 7% and 2022 was 4.1% . HDFC Low Duration Fund
Growth Launch Date 18 Nov 99 NAV (04 Jul 25) ₹57.9635 ↑ 0.01 (0.02 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹22,354 on 15 Jun 25 Category Debt - Low Duration AMC HDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 1.03 Sharpe Ratio 1.99 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 300 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 6.98% Effective Maturity 1 Year 10 Months 20 Days Modified Duration 10 Months 28 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Jun 20 ₹10,000 30 Jun 21 ₹10,566 30 Jun 22 ₹10,878 30 Jun 23 ₹11,605 30 Jun 24 ₹12,430 30 Jun 25 ₹13,425 Returns for HDFC Low Duration Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Jul 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.6% 3 Month 2.2% 6 Month 4.3% 1 Year 8% 3 Year 7.3% 5 Year 6.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.1% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 7.4% 2023 7% 2022 4.1% 2021 3.7% 2020 8.1% 2019 8% 2018 6.5% 2017 6.4% 2016 8.6% 2015 7.7% Fund Manager information for HDFC Low Duration Fund
Name Since Tenure Anupam Joshi 27 Oct 15 9.68 Yr. Praveen Jain 6 Oct 22 2.73 Yr. Dhruv Muchhal 22 Jun 23 2.02 Yr. Data below for HDFC Low Duration Fund as on 15 Jun 25
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 10.58% Debt 89.18% Other 0.23% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 68.47% Government 22.01% Cash Equivalent 9.29% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 9.16% AAA 90.84% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.81% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -5% ₹1,039 Cr 100,000,000 7.59% Govt Stock 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹921 Cr 90,000,000 Sikka Ports & Terminals Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹695 Cr 6,950 Mangalore Refinery And Petrochemicals Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹644 Cr 6,450 Jubilant Beverages Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹604 Cr 59,740
↑ 59,740 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹453 Cr 45,000
↑ 10,000 Aditya Birla Renewables Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹409 Cr 40,000 Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹408 Cr 40,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹377 Cr 3,750 Jamnagar Utilities & Power Private Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹374 Cr 3,750
Smart Tips to Look for in Debt Funds
1. Yield
The yield is a measure of the interest Income generated by the Bonds in the Portfolio.
For instance, let's assume that a bond has a Face Value of INR 100 with an 8 percent coupon rate. This means that the investor will earn INR 8 p.a., on each bond that he invests in. As the bonds are traded in the Open Market, the price will fluctuate each Business Day. The interest rates rise and fall and demand for the bonds moves up and down. And this impacts the price of the bond. Let’s assume interest rates rise to 10 percent. Even then the investor will continue to earn INR 8. So to increase the yield to 10 percent, which is the current market rate of interest, the price of the bond will have to drop to INR 80.
In another instance, lets assume that the interest rates fall to 6 percent. Again, the investor will continue to earn INR 8. This time the price of the bond will have to go up to INR 133.
If we look at these assumptions, there are two aspects to it- the one is that the yield is not fixed, but fluctuates to changes in the interest rate. The second one is the price of the bond moves inversely to interest rates. It moves to maintain a level where it will attract buyers.
2. Yield to Maturity
The yield to maturity(ytm) of a debt mutual fund indicates the running yield of the fund. When comparing debt funds on the Basis of YTM, one should also look at that fact that how is the extra yield being generated. Is this at the cost of as lower portfolio quality? Investing in not so good quality instruments has its own issues. You don't want to end up investing in a Debt fund which has such bonds or securities that may Default later on. So, always look at the portfolio yield and balance it off with the credit quality.
3. Modified Duration
Modified duration provides a fair indication of a bond’s sensitivity to a change in interest rates. The higher the duration, the more Volatility the bond exhibits with a change in interest rates
4. Credit Quality of Portfolio
In order to invest in Best Debt Funds, checking the credit quality of the bonds and debt securities is an essential parameter. Bonds are assigned a credit rating by various agencies based on their ability to pay the money back. A bond with AAA rating is considered to be the best credit rating and also implies a safe and secure investment. If one truly wants safety and considers this as the paramount parameter in selecting the best debt fund, then getting into a fund with very high-quality debt instruments (AAA or AA+) may be the desired option.
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FAQs
1. How do debt fund managers identify which is high-quality security?
A: Debt fund managers have their techniques for evaluating each bond and assessing the debtor's chances of defaulting to pay the bond. Usually, the higher the credit rating lesser is the chance for the creditor defaulting.
2. Why is debt mutual funds low-risk?
A: Debt mutual funds deal with securities and bonds along other money market instruments. The chances of these instruments failing are usually less, and hence, your investment will remain secure, thereby making debt mutual funds low-risk investments.
3. Do fund managers invest in low-quality securities?
A: Yes, sometimes fund managers do invest in low-quality securities if chances of good ROI exist. However, this will be a calculated risk taken by your fund manager and only if the portfolio of investment already has stable, high-quality securities.
4. Is there any short-term debt mutual fund?
A: Yes, if you opt for a Liquid Fund in which investments are made in money market instruments that have a maturity of 91 days, then you can realize your investment in a matter of three months. This is a short-term investment that you can undertake to get a better understanding of debt mutual funds.
5. Can I invest long-term in a debt mutual fund?
A: Yes, you can invest long-term in debt mutual funds. For example, suppose you invest in the Nippon India Credit Risk Fund or the ICICI Prudential Regular Savings Fund. In that case, it is better that you hold your investment at least for one year, 5 months, and 19 days and 2 years, one month, and 2 days respectively, to get maximum ROI. But you can keep investing beyond that for 3 years.
All efforts have been made to ensure the information provided here is accurate. However, no guarantees are made regarding correctness of data. Please verify with scheme information document before making any investment.
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