+91-22-48913909Long Term Debt Funds - When Should You Invest?
Long term debt funds are a type of Debt Mutual Funds that invest in corporate Bonds and government securities (g-secs) that have a long-term maturity period. The average maturity of these funds is in excess of 3 years, most of the times. That is why, these funds are suitable for investors who wish to make a mid to long term Investment plan i.e., typically for 3-5 years or even more. Let's understand how long term debt funds works and what are the best long term bonds funds to invest in 2026.
Long Term Debt Funds - A Plan for Long Term Investment
Long term debt funds invest their major underlying asset in debt instruments like corporate Debentures, bonds and money market instruments & government securities with a higher maturity period. Investors should invest in long term debt funds if they have an investment time frame of more than 3 years. These funds generally come with lower risk compared to equity mutual funds but carry a certain level of credit and interest rate risk. This fund is suitable for investors who are willing to take on some level of risk in their investment.
Long-term debt funds are sensitive to changes in the interest rate and are more volatile than other categories of debt funds. The performance of these funds largely depends on the economy's interest rate cycle, with falling interest rates benefiting these funds the most. Interest rates and prices of the debt instruments have an inverse relationship, which means that they move in opposite directions. For instance, a falling interest rate is good for debt funds or bond funds. Long term income funds usually benefit when the interest rates are moving downwards. Moreover, during interest rate falls, the bond prices go up and this boost NAVs of the debt fund schemes.
In a falling interest rate scenario, the average maturities of such bonds can go up to around 7-10 years. When the interest rates rise, they stock up lower tenured securities and keep the Portfolio’s average maturity low.
It's important to consider economic factors, including inflation trends and monetary policy, when determining the right time to invest in long-term debt funds. Monitoring central Bank announcements, such as interest rate cuts or hikes, can provide insights into potential market shifts.
Mostly, it is advisable to invest in long term bond funds when the interest rates are expected to ease down because a decrease in the interest rates causes a rise in the prices of long-term securities. Investors who are comfortable with fluctuating interest rates in the market, should only prefer Investing in long term debt funds.
It’s also crucial to have a diversified portfolio. Relying heavily on long-term debt funds can expose your investment to Volatility if interest rates rise unexpectedly. A balanced mix of equities, short-term debt, and long-term debt ensures you are better protected in various market conditions.
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Returns and Risk
These funds are meant to give returns in excess of bank fixed deposits. One of the significant benefits of long-term debt funds is their potential to provide inflation-adjusted returns, making them an attractive choice for investors looking to preserve purchasing power over time. Furthermore, if held for more than three years, the returns are more tax efficient. But, on the risk side, these funds can get volatile when the interest rates suddenly change direction. In a sustained rising interest rate regime, these funds give modest returns as they cannot sell long-dated bonds and switch to shorter tenured scripts.
Additionally, investors need to be aware of the credit risk associated with these funds. While many long-term debt funds invest in highly rated securities, there can still be a risk of default if a corporate bond issuer faces financial trouble. Hence, investors should assess the credit profile of the fund before investing.
Impact of Inflation on Long Term Debt Funds
Inflation has a direct impact on the real returns of long-term debt funds. When inflation rises, the purchasing power of future cash flows from bonds decreases. This means that, even if your fund delivers nominal returns, the real returns (adjusted for inflation) could be lower. Investors should closely monitor inflation trends because a higher-than-expected inflation rate could erode the value of their long-term investments.
However, during periods of moderate inflation, long-term debt funds can still provide decent real returns, especially when paired with tax benefits from indexation.
Long Term Debt Funds Taxation
Tax implication on debt funds is computed in the following manner-
Short Term Capital Gains
If the holding period of a debt investment is less than 36 months, then it is classified as a short-term investment and these are taxed as per individual's tax slab.
Long Term Capital Gains
If the holding period of debt investment is more than 36 months, then it is classified as a long-term investment and is taxed at 20% with an indexation benefit.
| Capital Gains | Investment Holding Gains | Taxation |
|---|---|---|
| Short Term Capital Gains | Less than 36 months | As per individual's tax slab |
| Long Term Capital Gains | More than 36 months | 20% with indexation benefits |
The indexation benefit is a key advantage of holding debt funds for the long term. It allows investors to adjust the cost of their investment for inflation, thereby reducing the tax burden.
Ideal Investor Profile for Long Term Debt Funds
Long-term debt funds are suitable for:
- Investors with a moderate risk appetite: These funds are not risk-free but are less volatile compared to Equity Funds.
- Investors looking for stable returns over 3-5 years: Those who prefer a predictable return pattern and can handle interest rate fluctuations.
- Tax-conscious investors: Due to the tax benefits of indexation, these funds are more attractive than traditional fixed deposits for long-term holdings.
- Investors seeking an alternative to equity: Those who prefer debt over equities but want better returns than short-term debt funds.
How Interest Rate Cycles Affect Long Term Debt Funds
Interest rate cycles play a critical role in determining the performance of long-term debt funds. In a falling interest rate scenario, long-term debt funds typically perform well, as bond prices increase. Conversely, when interest rates are rising, long-term debt funds may underperform because bond prices tend to decrease.
It is crucial for investors to understand where the economy is in the interest rate cycle before committing to long-term debt funds. For instance, during an expansion phase in the economy where central banks may hike interest rates to curb inflation, long-term debt funds could see volatility.
How to Invest in Long Term Bond Funds?
Investors can invest in two ways— SIP or Lump sum. For average investors, SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) is the most viable option. It gives you a systematic option of investing monthly/quarterly/annually basis. In a lump sum, investors have to invest a considerable amount as a one-time down payment in the scheme. The minimum investment amount for a lump sum is INR 5000, whereas for a SIP it is INR 500.
SIP is an excellent way to mitigate market timing risks. By investing periodically, you benefit from rupee cost averaging, which can be especially helpful in a volatile interest rate environment. Lump sum investments are ideal for those with a large amount to invest upfront and who are confident in the market outlook for long-term interest rates.
Fund Selection Methodology used to find 10 funds
Best Long Term Bond Funds to Invest in 2026
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) Min Investment Min SIP Investment 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 2025 (%) Debt Yield (YTM) Mod. Duration Eff. Maturity Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund Growth ₹104.3
↓ -0.01 ₹1,283 10,000 500 0.7 1.9 4.9 7.2 9.1 7.79% 3Y 1M 24D 5Y 4M 17D ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund Growth ₹31.0813
↑ 0.00 ₹32,682 5,000 100 0.4 1.3 4.4 7.1 8 7.75% 2Y 11M 19D 5Y 2M 12D BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund Growth ₹28.5828
↓ -0.01 ₹242 5,000 300 0.3 1 3.9 6.8 8.3 7.44% 2Y 25D 2Y 8M 12D Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund Growth ₹19.957
↓ -0.01 ₹13,499 5,000 1,000 0.6 1.4 3.8 6.7 7.4 7.35% 1Y 10M 6D 2Y 2M 26D Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard Growth ₹3,907.58
↓ -1.02 ₹16,877 5,000 1,000 0 0.8 3.5 6.8 7.8 7.74% 2Y 8M 26D 3Y 10M 24D Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund Growth ₹41.5153
↓ -0.01 ₹616 5,000 250 0.1 0.8 3.3 6.5 7.5 7.52% 2Y 1M 28D 2Y 3M 18D Nippon India Prime Debt Fund Growth ₹62.0832
↓ -0.03 ₹8,246 1,000 100 0.1 0.8 3.3 6.8 7.8 7.66% 2Y 6M 4D 3Y 22D Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund Growth ₹3,276.61
↓ -0.29 ₹5,494 5,000 100 -0.1 0.5 2.9 6.5 7.6 7.55% 3Y 29D 4Y 14D Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund Growth ₹22.3647
↓ -0.01 ₹109 5,000 1,000 0.3 0.9 2.9 5.9 6.1 7.09% 1Y 8M 30D 2Y 1M 7D Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund Growth ₹116.18
↑ 0.01 ₹25,168 1,000 100 -0.2 0.4 2.7 6.7 7.4 7.64% 4Y 1M 17D 7Y Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 20 May 26 Research Highlights & Commentary of 10 Funds showcased
Commentary Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund Nippon India Prime Debt Fund Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund Point 1 Lower mid AUM (₹1,283 Cr). Highest AUM (₹32,682 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹242 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹13,499 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹16,877 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹616 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹8,246 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹5,494 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹109 Cr). Top quartile AUM (₹25,168 Cr). Point 2 Established history (28+ yrs). Established history (16+ yrs). Established history (17+ yrs). Established history (10+ yrs). Established history (18+ yrs). Established history (21+ yrs). Established history (25+ yrs). Established history (18+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Oldest track record among peers (29 yrs). Point 3 Rating: 2★ (lower mid). Rating: 4★ (top quartile). Rating: 3★ (upper mid). Not Rated. Rating: 4★ (upper mid). Rating: 3★ (lower mid). Rating: 4★ (upper mid). Rating: 2★ (bottom quartile). Rating: 2★ (bottom quartile). Top rated. Point 4 Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Point 5 1Y return: 4.92% (top quartile). 1Y return: 4.38% (top quartile). 1Y return: 3.93% (upper mid). 1Y return: 3.84% (upper mid). 1Y return: 3.53% (upper mid). 1Y return: 3.35% (lower mid). 1Y return: 3.34% (lower mid). 1Y return: 2.93% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 2.86% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 2.72% (bottom quartile). Point 6 1M return: 0.01% (top quartile). 1M return: -0.41% (upper mid). 1M return: -0.37% (upper mid). 1M return: -0.45% (lower mid). 1M return: -0.52% (bottom quartile). 1M return: -0.41% (upper mid). 1M return: -0.46% (lower mid). 1M return: -0.50% (bottom quartile). 1M return: -0.26% (top quartile). 1M return: -0.70% (bottom quartile). Point 7 Sharpe: 0.09 (top quartile). Sharpe: -0.28 (top quartile). Sharpe: -0.38 (upper mid). Sharpe: -0.71 (upper mid). Sharpe: -0.66 (upper mid). Sharpe: -0.91 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: -0.72 (lower mid). Sharpe: -0.89 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: -1.53 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: -0.87 (lower mid). Point 8 Information ratio: 0.00 (top quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (top quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (upper mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (lower mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (lower mid). Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Point 9 Yield to maturity (debt): 7.79% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.75% (top quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.44% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.35% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.74% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.52% (lower mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.66% (upper mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.55% (lower mid). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.09% (bottom quartile). Yield to maturity (debt): 7.64% (upper mid). Point 10 Modified duration: 3.15 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 2.97 yrs (lower mid). Modified duration: 2.07 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 1.85 yrs (top quartile). Modified duration: 2.74 yrs (lower mid). Modified duration: 2.16 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 2.51 yrs (upper mid). Modified duration: 3.08 yrs (bottom quartile). Modified duration: 1.75 yrs (top quartile). Modified duration: 4.13 yrs (bottom quartile). Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund
ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund
BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund
Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund
Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard
Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund
Nippon India Prime Debt Fund
Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund
Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund
(Erstwhile Franklin India Income Builder Account - Plan A) The investment objective of the Scheme is primarily to provide investors Regular income under the Dividend Plan and Capital appreciation under the Growth Plan. Below is the key information for Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile ICICI Prudential Ultra Short Term Plan) ICICI Prudential Ultra Short Term Plan is an open-ended income fund that intends to generate regular income through investments in a basket of debt and money market instruments of very short maturities with a view to providing reasonable returns, while maintaining an optimum balance of safety, liquidity and yield. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objective of the scheme will be realized. Research Highlights for ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund Below is the key information for ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The investment objective of the Scheme is to generate income and capital gains through investments in a portfolio of debt and money market instruments. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objectives of the Scheme will be realized. The Scheme launched hereunder does not guarantee/indicate any returns. Research Highlights for BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund Below is the key information for BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The Fund seeks to provide steady income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in corporate debt securities across maturities and ratings. There is no assurance or guarantee that the objectives of the scheme will be realised. Research Highlights for Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund Below is the key information for Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The primary objective of the Scheme is to generate income through investment primarily in low duration debt & money market securities. However, there is no
assurance that the objective of the scheme will be realized. Research Highlights for Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard Below is the key information for Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Sundaram Flexible Fund-Flexible Income Plan) To generate reasonable returns by creating a portfolio
comprising substantially of fixed income instruments and
money market instruments by keeping the interest rate risk
of the fund low. Research Highlights for Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund Below is the key information for Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Reliance Medium Term Fund) The primary investment objective of the Scheme is to generate regular income in order to make regular dividend payments to unit-holders and the secondary objective is growth of capital. Research Highlights for Nippon India Prime Debt Fund Below is the key information for Nippon India Prime Debt Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Invesco India Active Income Fund) To generate optimal returns while maintaining liquidity through active management of the portfolio by investing in debt and money market instruments. As the portfolio of the scheme will be actively managed, the Scheme may have a high turnover in order to achieve the investment objective. Research Highlights for Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund Below is the key information for Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Canara Robeco Medium Term Opportunities Fund) The investment objective of the scheme is to generate income and capital appreciation through a portfolio constituted of medium term debt instruments and money market instruments. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objective of the scheme will be realized. Research Highlights for Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund Below is the key information for Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Fund) An Open-ended income scheme with the objective to generate income and capital appreciation by investing 100% of the corpus in a diversified portfolio of debt and money market securities. Research Highlights for Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund Below is the key information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund
Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 23 Jun 97 NAV (20 May 26) ₹104.3 ↓ -0.01 (0.00 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹1,283 on 30 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC Franklin Templeton Asst Mgmt(IND)Pvt Ltd Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 0.79 Sharpe Ratio 0.09 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 10,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-1 Years (0.5%),1 Years and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 7.79% Effective Maturity 5 Years 4 Months 17 Days Modified Duration 3 Years 1 Month 24 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,340 30 Apr 23 ₹10,833 30 Apr 24 ₹11,519 30 Apr 25 ₹12,686 30 Apr 26 ₹13,422 Returns for Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0% 3 Month 0.7% 6 Month 1.9% 1 Year 4.9% 3 Year 7.2% 5 Year 6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 8.4% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 9.1% 2024 7.6% 2023 6.5% 2022 3.2% 2021 3.8% 2020 9% 2019 9.2% 2018 7.5% 2017 7.7% 2016 9% Fund Manager information for Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Rahul Goswami 6 Oct 23 2.57 Yr. Anuj Tagra 7 Mar 24 2.15 Yr. Chandni Gupta 7 Mar 24 2.15 Yr. Data below for Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund as on 30 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 5.6% Debt 94.1% Other 0.3% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 71.84% Government 22.26% Cash Equivalent 5.6% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 7.58% AAA 92.42% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Poonawalla Fincorp Limited
Debentures | -6% ₹80 Cr 8,000 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -6% ₹75 Cr 7,500 6.9% Govt Stock 2065
Sovereign Bonds | -5% ₹59 Cr 6,354,500
↓ -1,600,000 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -5% ₹58 Cr 5,500 RJ Corp Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹55 Cr 5,467 Maharashtra (Government of) 7.66%
- | -4% ₹54 Cr 5,500,000
↑ 5,500,000 Summit Digitel Infrastructure Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹51 Cr 5,000 Rec Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹50 Cr 9,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -4% ₹50 Cr 5,000
↑ 5,000 Embassy Office Parks Reit
Debentures | -4% ₹50 Cr 5,000 2. ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund
ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund
Growth Launch Date 11 Aug 09 NAV (20 May 26) ₹31.0813 ↑ 0.00 (0.00 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹32,682 on 30 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.57 Sharpe Ratio -0.29 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.75% Effective Maturity 5 Years 2 Months 12 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 11 Months 19 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,379 30 Apr 23 ₹11,041 30 Apr 24 ₹11,863 30 Apr 25 ₹12,960 30 Apr 26 ₹13,645 Returns for ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.4% 3 Month 0.4% 6 Month 1.3% 1 Year 4.4% 3 Year 7.1% 5 Year 6.3% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 8% 2024 8% 2023 7.6% 2022 4.5% 2021 4.1% 2020 10.4% 2019 9.9% 2018 6.4% 2017 6.3% 2016 9.8% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund
Name Since Tenure Manish Banthia 22 Jan 24 2.27 Yr. Ritesh Lunawat 22 Jan 24 2.27 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund as on 30 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 15.62% Debt 84.06% Other 0.32% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 59.62% Government 25.06% Cash Equivalent 15% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 0.54% AAA 99.46% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -5% ₹1,452 Cr 145,500 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹984 Cr 1,000 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -3% ₹885 Cr 900 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -3% ₹784 Cr 79,433 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹745 Cr 74,550
↑ 5,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹624 Cr 62,500
↑ 5,000 6.9% Govt Stock 2065
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹570 Cr 64,000,000 7.34% Govt Stock 2064
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹554 Cr 58,412,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹541 Cr 54,000 Rec Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹525 Cr 52,500 3. BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund
BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund
Growth Launch Date 8 Nov 08 NAV (20 May 26) ₹28.5828 ↓ -0.01 (-0.04 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹242 on 30 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC BNP Paribas Asset Mgmt India Pvt. Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 0.58 Sharpe Ratio -0.38 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 300 Exit Load 0-12 Months (1%),12-24 Months (0.5%),24-36 Months (0.25%),36 Months and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 7.44% Effective Maturity 2 Years 8 Months 12 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 25 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,187 30 Apr 23 ₹10,669 30 Apr 24 ₹11,368 30 Apr 25 ₹12,515 30 Apr 26 ₹13,140 Returns for BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.4% 3 Month 0.3% 6 Month 1% 1 Year 3.9% 3 Year 6.8% 5 Year 5.5% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.2% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 8.3% 2024 8.3% 2023 7% 2022 1.6% 2021 2.2% 2020 9.9% 2019 0.9% 2018 5.2% 2017 6.7% 2016 10.8% Fund Manager information for BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund
Name Since Tenure Gurvinder Wasan 21 Oct 24 1.53 Yr. Vikram Pamnani 11 Jul 24 1.81 Yr. Data below for BNP Paribas Corporate Bond Fund as on 30 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 10.44% Equity 4.46% Debt 84.62% Other 0.48% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 70.4% Government 14.22% Cash Equivalent 10.44% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Ntpc Limited
Debentures | -6% ₹15 Cr 150 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -4% ₹12 Cr 1,200 Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹10 Cr 1,000 Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹10 Cr 100 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -4% ₹10 Cr 1,000 Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹10 Cr 1,000 Bajaj Finance Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹10 Cr 1,000 Ultratech Cement Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹10 Cr 1,000 GAil (India) Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹10 Cr 100 Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹10 Cr 1,000 4. Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund
Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund
Growth Launch Date 12 Jan 16 NAV (20 May 26) ₹19.957 ↓ -0.01 (-0.05 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹13,499 on 30 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC IDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 0.65 Sharpe Ratio -0.71 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.35% Effective Maturity 2 Years 2 Months 26 Days Modified Duration 1 Year 10 Months 6 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,344 30 Apr 23 ₹10,789 30 Apr 24 ₹11,486 30 Apr 25 ₹12,579 30 Apr 26 ₹13,176 Returns for Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.4% 3 Month 0.6% 6 Month 1.4% 1 Year 3.8% 3 Year 6.7% 5 Year 5.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 7.4% 2024 7.7% 2023 6.8% 2022 2.6% 2021 3.7% 2020 11.6% 2019 8.5% 2018 6.3% 2017 6.2% 2016 Fund Manager information for Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund
Name Since Tenure Suyash Choudhary 28 Jul 21 4.76 Yr. Gautam Kaul 1 Dec 21 4.41 Yr. Brijesh Shah 10 Jun 24 1.89 Yr. Data below for Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund as on 30 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 9.12% Debt 90.55% Other 0.33% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 59.51% Government 36.69% Cash Equivalent 3.48% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6.68% Govt Stock 2040
Sovereign Bonds | -11% ₹1,472 Cr 154,300,000
↑ 138,100,000 Larsen And Toubro Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹687 Cr 68,000,000 Reliance Industries Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹510 Cr 49,000,000
↓ -2,500,000 Nuclear Power Corporation Of India Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹508 Cr 50,400,000 Reliance Industries Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹492 Cr 47,500,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -3% ₹371 Cr 37,000,000
↑ 35,000,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹345 Cr 35,000,000
↑ 32,500,000 Rec Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹344 Cr 35,000,000 Ultratech Cement Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹326 Cr 32,500,000 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -2% ₹276 Cr 27,500,000 5. Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard
Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard
Growth Launch Date 21 Sep 07 NAV (20 May 26) ₹3,907.58 ↓ -1.02 (-0.03 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹16,877 on 30 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.67 Sharpe Ratio -0.66 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.74% Effective Maturity 3 Years 10 Months 24 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 8 Months 26 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,395 30 Apr 23 ₹10,936 30 Apr 24 ₹11,684 30 Apr 25 ₹12,826 30 Apr 26 ₹13,415 Returns for Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.5% 3 Month 0% 6 Month 0.8% 1 Year 3.5% 3 Year 6.8% 5 Year 5.9% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.6% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 7.8% 2024 8.3% 2023 6.9% 2022 3.7% 2021 3.8% 2020 9.7% 2019 9.6% 2018 7.5% 2017 6.9% 2016 9.4% Fund Manager information for Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard
Name Since Tenure Deepak Agrawal 1 Feb 15 11.25 Yr. Manu Sharma 1 Nov 22 3.5 Yr. Data below for Kotak Corporate Bond Fund Standard as on 30 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 3.24% Debt 96.42% Other 0.35% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 72.65% Government 24.54% Cash Equivalent 2.46% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -3% ₹524 Cr 52,500 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -3% ₹474 Cr 47,500
↓ -1,000 Karnataka (Government of) 0.0756%
- | -3% ₹454 Cr 45,700,000 Bajaj Finance Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹436 Cr 43,500 Karnataka State Development Loans
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹416 Cr 42,000,000 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹394 Cr 40,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹349 Cr 35,000 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -2% ₹305 Cr 3,050 Mahindra And Mahindra Financial Services Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹302 Cr 30,000 7.24% Govt Stock 2055
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹301 Cr 32,000,000 6. Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund
Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund
Growth Launch Date 30 Dec 04 NAV (20 May 26) ₹41.5153 ↓ -0.01 (-0.03 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹616 on 30 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC Sundaram Asset Management Company Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.54 Sharpe Ratio -0.91 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 250 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.52% Effective Maturity 2 Years 3 Months 18 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 1 Month 28 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,357 30 Apr 23 ₹10,855 30 Apr 24 ₹11,538 30 Apr 25 ₹12,653 30 Apr 26 ₹13,193 Returns for Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.4% 3 Month 0.1% 6 Month 0.8% 1 Year 3.3% 3 Year 6.5% 5 Year 5.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 7.5% 2024 8% 2023 6.3% 2022 3.7% 2021 3.5% 2020 11% 2019 11.3% 2018 4.8% 2017 5.4% 2016 11.7% Fund Manager information for Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund
Name Since Tenure Dwijendra Srivastava 31 Jul 10 15.76 Yr. Sandeep Agarwal 1 Jun 12 13.92 Yr. Data below for Sundaram Corporate Bond Fund as on 30 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 17.71% Debt 81.8% Other 0.49% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 59.59% Government 22.97% Cash Equivalent 16.95% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -6% ₹40 Cr 4,000 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -5% ₹30 Cr 300 6.48% Govt Stock 2035
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹27 Cr 2,810,000
↑ 2,810,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -4% ₹25 Cr 2,500
↓ -2,500 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -4% ₹25 Cr 2,500 Rec Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹25 Cr 2,500 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -4% ₹25 Cr 2,500 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -4% ₹25 Cr 2,500 Embassy Office Parks Reit
Debentures | -4% ₹25 Cr 2,500 Rec Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹25 Cr 2,500 7. Nippon India Prime Debt Fund
Nippon India Prime Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 14 Sep 00 NAV (20 May 26) ₹62.0832 ↓ -0.03 (-0.06 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹8,246 on 30 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.71 Sharpe Ratio -0.72 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 1,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.66% Effective Maturity 3 Years 22 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 6 Months 4 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,449 30 Apr 23 ₹11,069 30 Apr 24 ₹11,835 30 Apr 25 ₹13,029 30 Apr 26 ₹13,602 Returns for Nippon India Prime Debt Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.5% 3 Month 0.1% 6 Month 0.8% 1 Year 3.3% 3 Year 6.8% 5 Year 6.2% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.4% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 7.8% 2024 8.4% 2023 7.1% 2022 4.3% 2021 4.7% 2020 9.5% 2019 7.8% 2018 6.9% 2017 6.6% 2016 9.1% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Prime Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Vivek Sharma 1 Feb 20 6.25 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 7.94 Yr. Amber Singhania 11 Mar 26 0.14 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Prime Debt Fund as on 30 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 2.93% Debt 96.73% Other 0.34% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 67.05% Government 29.97% Cash Equivalent 2.64% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -4% ₹326 Cr 32,500 SIDDHIVINAYAK SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹198 Cr 200 SHIVSHAKTI SECURITISATION TRUST
Unlisted bonds | -2% ₹197 Cr 200 6.68% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹179 Cr 18,000,000 7.02% Govt Stock 2031
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹178 Cr 17,500,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹175 Cr 17,500 Rec Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹174 Cr 17,500 Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹170 Cr 1,658 Knowledge Realty TRust
Debentures | -2% ₹160 Cr 16,000 Mahindra And Mahindra Financial Services Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹152 Cr 15,000 8. Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund
Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund
Growth Launch Date 2 Aug 07 NAV (20 May 26) ₹3,276.61 ↓ -0.29 (-0.01 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹5,494 on 30 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Ltd Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 0.67 Sharpe Ratio -0.89 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.55% Effective Maturity 4 Years 14 Days Modified Duration 3 Years 29 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,319 30 Apr 23 ₹10,804 30 Apr 24 ₹11,507 30 Apr 25 ₹12,635 30 Apr 26 ₹13,136 Returns for Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.5% 3 Month -0.1% 6 Month 0.5% 1 Year 2.9% 3 Year 6.5% 5 Year 5.5% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 7.6% 2024 8.1% 2023 6.7% 2022 2.9% 2021 3.4% 2020 10.1% 2019 11.1% 2018 4% 2017 1.8% 2016 14.1% Fund Manager information for Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund
Name Since Tenure Krishna Cheemalapati 16 Dec 20 5.37 Yr. Vikas Garg 26 Sep 20 5.59 Yr. Data below for Invesco India Corporate Bond Fund as on 30 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 13.35% Debt 86.27% Other 0.38% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 54.36% Government 32.62% Cash Equivalent 12.64% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6.48% Govt Stock 2035
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹204 Cr 21,012,900
↓ -500,000 Pipeline Infrastructure Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹198 Cr 19,500,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -3% ₹173 Cr 17,500,000
↑ 5,000,000 7.18% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹171 Cr 16,786,700
↓ -6,500,000 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -3% ₹154 Cr 15,000,000 7.1% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹148 Cr 14,612,600
↓ -500,000 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -2% ₹125 Cr 12,500,000 Bharti Telecom Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹124 Cr 12,500,000 Bajaj Finance Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹123 Cr 12,500,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹123 Cr 12,500,000
↑ 7,500,000 9. Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund
Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund
Growth Launch Date 7 Feb 14 NAV (20 May 26) ₹22.3647 ↓ -0.01 (-0.04 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹109 on 15 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC Canara Robeco Asset Management Co. Ltd. Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.02 Sharpe Ratio -1.53 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 7.09% Effective Maturity 2 Years 1 Month 7 Days Modified Duration 1 Year 8 Months 30 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,289 30 Apr 23 ₹10,748 30 Apr 24 ₹11,405 30 Apr 25 ₹12,388 30 Apr 26 ₹12,822 Returns for Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.3% 3 Month 0.3% 6 Month 0.9% 1 Year 2.9% 3 Year 5.9% 5 Year 5% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 6.1% 2024 7.5% 2023 6% 2022 2.9% 2021 2.8% 2020 9.6% 2019 9.4% 2018 5.3% 2017 5.3% 2016 9.6% Fund Manager information for Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund
Name Since Tenure Suman Prasad 18 Jul 22 3.79 Yr. Avnish Jain 7 Feb 14 12.23 Yr. Data below for Canara Robeco Corporate Bond Fund as on 15 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 11.13% Debt 88.35% Other 0.52% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 59.7% Government 28.65% Cash Equivalent 11.13% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Grasim Industries Ltd
Debentures | -9% ₹10 Cr 100 Kotak Mahindra Prime Limited
Debentures | -9% ₹10 Cr 1,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -9% ₹10 Cr 1,000 Rec Limited
Debentures | -9% ₹10 Cr 1,000 LIC Housing Finance Ltd
Debentures | -9% ₹10 Cr 1,000 8.15% Rajasthan Sdl 2029
Sovereign Bonds | -5% ₹5 Cr 500,000 Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹5 Cr 50 HDFC Bank Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹5 Cr 50 Power Grid Corporation Of India Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹5 Cr 50 Power Finance Corporation Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹5 Cr 500 10. Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund
Growth Launch Date 3 Mar 97 NAV (20 May 26) ₹116.18 ↑ 0.01 (0.01 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹25,168 on 30 Apr 26 Category Debt - Corporate Bond AMC Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.52 Sharpe Ratio -0.87 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 1,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.64% Effective Maturity 7 Years Modified Duration 4 Years 1 Month 17 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,400 30 Apr 23 ₹10,985 30 Apr 24 ₹11,775 30 Apr 25 ₹12,965 30 Apr 26 ₹13,454 Returns for Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 20 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.7% 3 Month -0.2% 6 Month 0.4% 1 Year 2.7% 3 Year 6.7% 5 Year 6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 8.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 7.4% 2024 8.5% 2023 7.3% 2022 4.1% 2021 4% 2020 11.9% 2019 9.6% 2018 7% 2017 6.5% 2016 10.2% Fund Manager information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund
Name Since Tenure Kaustubh Gupta 12 Apr 21 5.05 Yr. Data below for Aditya Birla Sun Life Corporate Bond Fund as on 30 Apr 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 2.82% Debt 96.85% Other 0.34% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 57.89% Government 38.96% Cash Equivalent 2.82% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6.68% Govt Stock 2040
Sovereign Bonds | -7% ₹1,650 Cr 175,000,000
↑ 500,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -5% ₹1,378 Cr 138,500
↓ -5,000 6.48% Govt Stock 2035
Sovereign Bonds | -5% ₹1,305 Cr 135,535,600
↑ 72,500,000 7.34% Govt Stock 2064
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹925 Cr 96,500,000
↑ 4,500,000 Bharti Telecom Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹575 Cr 58,000 Jamnagar Utilities & Power Private Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹574 Cr 59,000 Bharti Telecom Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹505 Cr 50,900 Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹497 Cr 50,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹425 Cr 42,500
↓ -5,000 Summit Digitel Infrastructure Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹398 Cr 4,000
↑ 2,900
Comparing Long Term Debt Funds with Other Fixed-Income Instruments
It’s helpful to compare long-term debt funds with other investment options like bank fixed deposits (FDs), public provident funds (PPF), and bonds. While long-term debt funds offer better liquidity and tax efficiency (especially after 3 years), they come with market risks, which instruments like FDs do not. PPF, on the other hand, has a fixed interest rate and offers government backing but lacks liquidity, as it comes with a long lock-in period.
Corporate bonds may offer higher yields but come with credit risks, especially for lower-rated companies. Long-term debt funds, in contrast, give exposure to a diversified pool of bonds, spreading out risk.
Role of Credit Rating in Long Term Debt Funds
Before investing in long-term debt funds, it is crucial to check the credit quality of the bonds within the fund's portfolio. Debt instruments are assigned credit ratings, which indicate the issuer’s ability to meet their financial obligations. Funds with a portfolio of AAA-rated bonds are considered safer but might offer slightly lower returns compared to funds with lower-rated bonds.
However, investors should avoid funds with heavy exposure to low-rated bonds, unless they have a higher risk tolerance, as defaults can erode returns significantly.
Debt Fund Credit Risks vs. Sovereign Bonds
Sovereign bonds, especially government securities (G-Secs), are seen as one of the safest forms of investment as they are backed by the government. However, corporate bonds, a common component of long-term debt funds, carry credit risks. These risks arise when a corporation is unable to repay its debt obligations, which can affect the returns of the fund. Therefore, investors must assess the credit ratings of the bonds held by the debt fund and weigh their risk accordingly.
Duration vs. Yield: Key Concepts to Understand
Duration is a measure of a bond fund's sensitivity to interest rate changes. Long-term debt funds tend to have higher durations because their underlying bonds have longer maturity periods. A higher duration means that the fund's NAV will be more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Yield is another important metric, representing the income generated by the fund's underlying bonds as a percentage of the NAV. In long-term debt funds, yield tends to be lower in high-quality bonds but rises with riskier bonds.
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Research Highlights for Franklin India Corporate Debt Fund