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Short Term Debt Funds or Short Duration Funds
As the name suggests, Short term debt funds, also known as short duration funds, are typically Debt Mutual Funds that invest money for a short duration, usually less than 3 years. Also known as Short Term Income Funds, Short term debt funds invest in debt instruments and money market instruments that include Bank papers (also called Certificate of Deposits), government papers(G-secs) and commercial papers (CPs). This Mutual Fund scheme is suitable for investors who prioritise Capital preservation, but also wish to invest for a predominantly longer period to earn good returns over the long term (between 1-3 years). Investors who are willing to invest for a short duration of 1-3 years can look at short term bond funds. Short term debt products can benefit from the interest Accruals in the debt portfolio and from the tactical exposure to higher duration debt by the respective fund manager.
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Features of Short Duration (Short-Term) Debt Funds
Some of the prominent features of short term funds are:
Liquidity
The short term debt funds are highly liquid as the maturity period is short and the investments avenues allow liquidity. Usually, there are no entry and exit loads charged on these funds. However, some short term debt funds do charge an exit load if the exit is made in a few months. So, the investors are suggested to invest wisely considering all the parameters.
Returns
When it comes to investing in Mutual Funds, returns are what people actually look for. However, this should not be the only parameter while choosing a best short term Debt fund to invest. In the recent reports, RBI stated that the investors would earn better returns by Investing in short to mid-term funds that invest in instruments having a maturity between of one to five years. Generally, the fund managers handling such funds prefer investing in high credit rating securities. Thus, ensuring the least possibility of Default by the issuers providing safety to investors’ capital. Currently, short term debt funds with a maturity period of one-three years give annualised returns of 9-10% p.a. Investors should not just chase returns, but also look at the credit quality of the portfolio. If you are a conservative investor then it makes sense to ensure that give away some returns for the extra safety.
Interest Rate Risk
Given the short term nature of these funds, the returns are not much affected by Inflation and there is a lesser interest rate risk. Typically, short term debt funds generate income from the interest earned on short to medium term Bonds. This accrual income, meaning the accumulated interest, gets added to the Net Asset Value and becomes your final return. Since you know these funds provide steady income, therefore, the returns are less volatile as compared to other long-term income funds. Some short term funds do carry a bit of interest rate risk, this can be measured by a parameter called duration of the portfolio. One can even look at the average maturity of the portfolio. Both these parameters are available on the fact sheets of the scheme. Just remember a simple rule, higher the duration or maturity higher the interest rate risk! If interest rates fall, then this is positive, however, if rates rise, then the returns would be negatively impacted.
Investment Horizons
Short term debt funds do not invest in instruments that have a very long maturity as they try to maintain lower interest rate risk and offer better tax-adjusted returns. Since these funds provide stable returns in a time period of one to three years, investors should try to match the investment timeline with the average maturity of the fund. The instruments they invest in include money Market instruments like bonds, Commercial Paper and certificate of deposits etc.
Active Management Required
Being a short term investment, these funds do not require heavy active management by the fund manager. Once the portions of the portfolio are allotted, the need of actively managing (buying and selling units) the investments is lower, having said this the fund manager needs to ensure that interest rate views are incorporated and he/she is vigilant on the credit quality of the portfolio as well as new opportunities. Their aim to provide steady returns is achieved by ensuring regular active management of the fund.
Dividend Payout
Short term debt funds also offer an option of dividend payout. With this option, the investors can get dividends at regular interval mostly monthly and fortnightly. However, the dividends paid by these funds attract a DDT (Dividend Distribution Tax) of 25% for individual investors.
Benefits of Short Duration (Short-Term) Funds
- The short term bond funds have a shorter maturity so they generally offer safe and stable returns.
- The fluctuations in interest rates of the debt market have a marginal to the insignificant effect on the returns of short term debt funds.
- Being sensitive to changing the interest rate, short term bond funds usually perform better than other funds who are affected by the market fluctuations.
- The liquidity of these funds is high. So, the investors can easily withdraw their investment in case of emergencies.
- Typically, most of the best short term debt funds do not charge any fee for withdrawal. So, there is minimal to no exit load.
- Short term debt funds are tax efficient. The tax charged on the interest of these funds is much less than that of fixed bank deposits.
Top Short Duration (Short-Term) Debt Funds 2022
Some of the best short term debt funds include-
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 2021 (%) Debt Yield (YTM) Mod. Duration Eff. Maturity Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund Growth ₹36.3802
↑ 0.01 ₹362 0.8 11.4 12.8 5.3 4.52% 1Y 2M 13D 1Y 7M 3D Franklin India Short Term Income Plan - Retail Plan Growth ₹4,715.02
↑ 5.71 ₹505 0.3 0.1 7.9 5 15 0% 2Y 20D BNP Paribas Short Term Fund Growth ₹25.4771
↓ -0.01 ₹258 0.6 1.3 4.6 6.5 5.16% 1Y 11M 26D 2Y 3M ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund Growth ₹48.8974
↑ 0.06 ₹15,615 2.2 2.3 3.6 6.6 3.9 6.83% 1Y 6M 4Y 11M 23D Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund Growth ₹38.8876
↑ 0.03 ₹5,762 1.8 1.6 3.3 6.3 3.8 7.11% 1Y 7M 24D 2Y 3M 29D Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Short Duration funds having AUM/Net Assets above 100 Crore. Sorted on Last 1 Year Return.
(Erstwhile Sundaram Select Debt Short Term Asset Fund) To earn regular income by investing primarily in fixed income
securities, which may be paid as dividend or reinvested at
the option of the investor. A secondary objective is to
attempt to keep the value of its units reasonably stable. Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 5 Sep 02. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The objective of the Scheme is to provide investors stable returns by investing in fixed income securities. Franklin India Short Term Income Plan - Retail Plan is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 31 Jan 02. It is a fund with Moderate risk and has given a Below is the key information for Franklin India Short Term Income Plan - Retail Plan Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile BNP Paribas Short Term Income Fund) The primary objective of the Scheme is to provide income consistent with the prudent risk from a portfolio comprising various debt and money market instruments. However, there can be no assurance that the investment
objective of the Scheme will be achieved. The Scheme / Plan(s) do not guarantee / indicate any returns. BNP Paribas Short Term Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 13 Sep 04. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for BNP Paribas Short Term Fund Returns up to 1 year are on To generate income through investments in a range of debt and money market instruments of various maturities with a view to maximising income while maintaining the optimum balance of yield, safety and liquidity. ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 25 Oct 01. It is a fund with Moderate risk and has given a Below is the key information for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund Returns up to 1 year are on An Open ended Income scheme with the objective to generate regular income by investing primarily in investment grade fixed income securities / money market instruments with short to medium term maturities and across the credit spectrum within the universe of investment grade rating. Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 9 May 03. It is a fund with Moderate risk and has given a Below is the key information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 6.9% since its launch. Ranked 56 in Short term Bond category. . Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 5 Sep 02 NAV (31 Dec 21) ₹36.3802 ↑ 0.01 (0.03 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹362 on 30 Nov 21 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Sundaram Asset Management Company Ltd Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.96 Sharpe Ratio 0.98 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 250 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 4.52% Effective Maturity 1 Year 7 Months 3 Days Modified Duration 1 Year 2 Months 13 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 17 ₹10,000 30 Sep 18 ₹10,444 30 Sep 19 ₹9,961 30 Sep 20 ₹10,920 30 Sep 21 ₹12,409 Returns for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.2% 3 Month 0.8% 6 Month 11.4% 1 Year 12.8% 3 Year 5.3% 5 Year 5.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Fund Manager information for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund as on 30 Nov 21
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 2. Franklin India Short Term Income Plan - Retail Plan
CAGR/Annualized return of 7.8% since its launch. Ranked 19 in Short term Bond category. Return for 2021 was 15% , 2020 was -5.3% and 2019 was 4.2% . Franklin India Short Term Income Plan - Retail Plan
Growth Launch Date 31 Jan 02 NAV (30 Sep 22) ₹4,715.02 ↑ 5.71 (0.12 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹505 on 31 Aug 22 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Franklin Templeton Asst Mgmt(IND)Pvt Ltd Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.5 Sharpe Ratio 1.25 Information Ratio -0.13 Alpha Ratio 13.92 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-1 Years (0.5%),1 Years and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 0% Effective Maturity 2 Years 20 Days Modified Duration Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 17 ₹10,000 30 Sep 18 ₹10,601 30 Sep 19 ₹11,454 30 Sep 20 ₹10,176 30 Sep 21 ₹12,294
Purchase not allowed Returns for Franklin India Short Term Income Plan - Retail Plan
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month -0.3% 3 Month 0.3% 6 Month 0.1% 1 Year 7.9% 3 Year 5% 5 Year 5.8% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2021 15% 2020 -5.3% 2019 4.2% 2018 8.8% 2017 8.6% 2016 8.3% 2015 9.1% 2014 11.7% 2013 9% 2012 10% Fund Manager information for Franklin India Short Term Income Plan - Retail Plan
Name Since Tenure Santosh Kamath 24 Jun 16 6.19 Yr. Kunal Agrawal 24 Jun 16 6.19 Yr. Data below for Franklin India Short Term Income Plan - Retail Plan as on 31 Aug 22
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 5.46% Debt 94.54% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 94.54% Cash Equivalent 5.46% Credit Quality
Rating Value A 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority
Debentures | -45% ₹225 Cr 11,135 Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority
Debentures | -43% ₹216 Cr 10,675 Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority
Debentures | -7% ₹35 Cr 1,757 SBI Overnight Fund Dir Gr
Investment Fund | -3% ₹16 Cr 44,314 Rivaaz TRade Ventures Private Limited
Debentures | -0% ₹0 Cr 350 Rivaaz TRade Ventures Private Limited
Debentures | -0% ₹0 Cr 1,000 Future Ideas Company Limited
Debentures | -0% ₹0 Cr 300 Call, Cash & Other Assets
Net Current Assets | -2% ₹12 Cr 3. BNP Paribas Short Term Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 5.5% since its launch. Ranked 41 in Short term Bond category. . BNP Paribas Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 13 Sep 04 NAV (11 Mar 22) ₹25.4771 ↓ -0.01 (-0.02 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹258 on 15 Feb 22 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC BNP Paribas Asset Mgmt India Pvt. Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.98 Sharpe Ratio 0.07 Information Ratio -0.85 Alpha Ratio -1.04 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 300 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 5.16% Effective Maturity 2 Years 3 Months Modified Duration 1 Year 11 Months 26 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 17 ₹10,000 30 Sep 18 ₹10,473 30 Sep 19 ₹11,249 30 Sep 20 ₹12,352 30 Sep 21 ₹13,000 Returns for BNP Paribas Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.2% 3 Month 0.6% 6 Month 1.3% 1 Year 4.6% 3 Year 6.5% 5 Year 6.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 5.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 Fund Manager information for BNP Paribas Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for BNP Paribas Short Term Fund as on 15 Feb 22
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 4. ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 7.9% since its launch. Ranked 11 in Short term Bond category. Return for 2021 was 3.9% , 2020 was 10.6% and 2019 was 9.7% . ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 25 Oct 01 NAV (30 Sep 22) ₹48.8974 ↑ 0.06 (0.13 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹15,615 on 31 Aug 22 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.14 Sharpe Ratio -0.37 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-7 Days (0.25%),7 Days and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 6.83% Effective Maturity 4 Years 11 Months 23 Days Modified Duration 1 Year 6 Months Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 17 ₹10,000 30 Sep 18 ₹10,378 30 Sep 19 ₹11,386 30 Sep 20 ₹12,573 30 Sep 21 ₹13,316 Returns for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.4% 3 Month 2.2% 6 Month 2.3% 1 Year 3.6% 3 Year 6.6% 5 Year 6.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2021 3.9% 2020 10.6% 2019 9.7% 2018 5.8% 2017 5.9% 2016 11.1% 2015 8% 2014 11.6% 2013 7.2% 2012 9.5% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Manish Banthia 19 Nov 09 12.79 Yr. Nikhil Kabra 29 Dec 20 1.67 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund as on 31 Aug 22
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 24.17% Debt 75.83% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 40.5% Government 35.89% Cash Equivalent 22.61% Securitized 1.01% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 18.4% AAA 81.6% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 5.53% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -11% ₹1,694 Cr 169,624,650 6.54% Govt Stock 2032
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹987 Cr 103,542,250
↓ -1,500,000 5.38% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹938 Cr 95,824,740 4.93% Govt Stock 2028
Sovereign Bonds | -5% ₹718 Cr 72,756,299 Pipeline Infrastructure Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹423 Cr 4,129 6.69% Govt Stock 2024
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹250 Cr 25,000,000 Godrej Industries Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹221 Cr 2,250 Jamnagar Utilities & Power Private Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹202 Cr 2,000 182 Dtb 22092022
Sovereign Bonds | -1% ₹200 Cr 20,000,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -1% ₹196 Cr 1,950
↑ 1,350 5. Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 7.3% since its launch. Ranked 18 in Short term Bond category. Return for 2021 was 3.8% , 2020 was 11.1% and 2019 was 8.5% . Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
Growth Launch Date 9 May 03 NAV (30 Sep 22) ₹38.8876 ↑ 0.03 (0.09 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹5,762 on 31 Aug 22 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Birla Sun Life Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 1.11 Sharpe Ratio -0.6 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 1,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-90 Days (0.5%),90 Days and above(NIL) Yield to Maturity 7.11% Effective Maturity 2 Years 3 Months 29 Days Modified Duration 1 Year 7 Months 24 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 17 ₹10,000 30 Sep 18 ₹10,445 30 Sep 19 ₹11,454 30 Sep 20 ₹12,599 30 Sep 21 ₹13,324 Returns for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.1% 3 Month 1.8% 6 Month 1.6% 1 Year 3.3% 3 Year 6.3% 5 Year 6.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.3% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2021 3.8% 2020 11.1% 2019 8.5% 2018 6.5% 2017 5.6% 2016 11.3% 2015 8.4% 2014 11.3% 2013 10.1% 2012 11.1% Fund Manager information for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund
Name Since Tenure Kaustubh Gupta 11 Sep 14 7.98 Yr. Mohit Sharma 6 Aug 20 2.07 Yr. Data below for Aditya Birla Sun Life Short Term Opportunities Fund as on 31 Aug 22
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 31.9% Debt 68.1% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 46.79% Government 32.17% Cash Equivalent 18.59% Securitized 2.45% Credit Quality
Rating Value A 0.38% AA 19.31% AAA 80.31% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6.54% Govt Stock 2032
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹424 Cr 44,500,000
↑ 15,000,000 Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹152 Cr 1,550 Housing Development Finance Corporation Ltd
Debentures | -2% ₹150 Cr 1,500 State Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹146 Cr 1,500 Shriram Transport Finance Company Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹143 Cr 1,400 5.53% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹140 Cr 14,000,000 6.84% Govt Stock 2022
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹125 Cr 12,500,000
↑ 12,500,000 State Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹122 Cr 1,204
↑ 500 06.90 OIL SPL 2026
Domestic Bonds | -1% ₹103 Cr 10,397,000 Sundew Properties Limited
Debentures | -1% ₹99 Cr 1,020
Short Term Debt Fund 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 |
Risks Involved with Short Term Mutual Funds
Alike all the financial securities, Short term debt funds have certain flaws as well. Some of the risks accompanying these funds include-
Risk of Rising Inflation
Short term debt funds are ideal having a short term financial goal of one to three years and not for long term. So, the investors who are looking for long term investments should invest in Equity Funds, which offers the benefits of rising inflation while yielding good returns.
Risk of Changing Interest Rates
The change in interest rate in the Economy has a little effect on short term debt funds, though the impact is very marginal. As the tenure of duration is short, the impact of interest rate changes in insignificant. However, investors should always look at the duration or maturity of the fund before making any conclusions. A high duration/maturity exposes the Fund to interest rate risk.
Risk of Credit
Usually, short term debt funds invest in instruments that have a high credit rating and have a safe track record. However, there are times when the asset managing company that is managing the fund defaults, the investor has to take the challenge of managing the risk on his own. So, the investors must keep this in mind and invest wisely. Hence, it is always advisable to look a getting into a fund with a good quality portfolio.
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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