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Mutual funds and ETFs are investment options that are connected to the market. Investors can buy and sell mutual funds and ETFs to create long term wealth.
The average Indian investor is more aware of the ins and outs of mutual funds than ETFs. The reason behind this is twofold. Mutual funds have been available to Indian investors since the early 1960s.
ETFs, on the other hand, were launched in India during the early months of 2001. The other reason is the sheer volume of options available.
Indian investors can choose from over 1000+ mutual fund scheme variations. In comparison, there are approximately 100 ETFs on the Indian market.
Mutual funds and ETFs have a few things in common. To start with, both of these assets invest in market-linked securities like stocks and bonds. They may even invest in other mutual funds or ETFs.
Both mutual funds and ETFs offer a means for diversification and are professionally managed. But the degree of management marks one of the key differences between mutual funds and ETFs. You can consult a Cube Wealth coach or download the Cube Wealth App.
Mutual funds are broadly categorized into two types: open-ended and close-ended mutual funds.
ETFs are classified into 4 types in India: Index ETFs, Gold ETFs, Sectoral ETFs & International ETFs.
Most mutual funds are actively managed. Index funds are the only exception to this norm. Actively managed funds are operated by a fund manager and a team of analysts.
The fund management team regularly monitors the market for buying and selling opportunities. The management style for ETFs is the exact opposite of mutual funds.
ETFs are passively managed which means that the Asset Management Company will build a portfolio of securities only once. That’s because ETFs are designed to mirror an index, for example, the S&P 500.
The AMC will periodically return to the ETF to rebalance holdings but overall, there won’t be a fund manager or team of analysts that are trying to monitor the market to improve the ETF’s performance.
The goal of a mutual fund is to outperform the market. Performing on par or below the benchmark is simply unacceptable for most fund houses. That’s why they hire a dedicated fund manager and a team.
The goal of an ETF is to mirror an index’s portfolio and returns. Thus, ETFs will simply grow with the market/index, not outperform it, while generating relatively predictable returns.
Mutual funds can either be bought directly from a fund house or through an app like Cube Wealth. ETFs are bought and sold like a stock on an exchange like the NSE or BSE. You can consult a Cube Wealth coach or download the Cube Wealth App.
Certain mutual funds like liquid funds are relatively more liquid than international funds. But on average, it takes approximately 3-5 business days to redeem a mutual fund investment.
Unless you have Cube ATM, that is. Cube ATM allows you to instantly withdraw up to ₹50,000 or 90% of your investment in the Nippon India Liquid Fund.
ETFs can be sold instantly just like regular stocks. However, the liquidity of an ETF will depend on the liquidity of its underlying components.
Both mutual funds and ETFs have a price indicator known as Net Asset Value (NAV). The NAV of a mutual fund or ETF is calculated at the end of each trading using the formula:
NAV = Assets - Liabilities/total number of shares outstanding
However, ETFs have another price indicator - the value at which they can be bought and sold on a stock exchange. The two price indicators are ever so slightly different.
Overall, ETFs are known to be more cost-efficient than mutual funds because of the low expense ratio or management fee.
The average returns generated by mutual funds and ETFs varies due to the investment goal as evidenced by the graph below.
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Your risk profile, investment goals, and the type of investor you are will determine whether you should invest in mutual funds or ETFs.
Legendary investors like Warren Buffet suggest investing in index ETFs because they’re known to generate returns on par with the underlying index. Moreover, the expense ratio is low as well.
However, top mutual funds like equity funds and international funds can potentially outperform the market. Furthermore, debt funds and liquid funds are known to comfortably beat regular bank FD returns. You can consult a Cube Wealth coach or download the Cube Wealth App.
Ans. While mutual funds are often associated with long-term investments, and ETFs with short-term trading, both can serve various investment horizons. The choice depends on the specific fund or ETFs characteristics.
Ans. Generally, ETFs have lower expense ratios than actively managed mutual funds. However, passively managed index funds can also have low expenses.
Ans. No, mutual funds are priced once a day at the close of the trading day. ETFs can be bought and sold throughout the trading day at market prices.
Ans. ETFs are often considered more tax-efficient due to their unique structure. Mutual funds may distribute capital gains to investors, potentially resulting in tax consequences.
The decision to invest in mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs) hinges on your individual financial objectives, preferences, and risk tolerance. Both investment options offer distinct advantages and cater to different investor needs. Mutual funds provide professional management, diversification, and a wide range of choices, making them suitable for long-term goals and investors who prefer a hands-off approach. On the other hand, ETFs offer flexibility, lower expenses, and intraday trading, making them ideal for tactical investing, short-term strategies, or cost-conscious investors.
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