Career Search

Thursday, January 8, 2015

International Funds - A Good Investment Option for 2015

 

Schemes, especially those focused on US, will gain on stronger dollar & US growth revival

 

Investors expecting moderate returns from Indian equities in 2015 may opt for mutual fund schemes that invest in international markets -mainly the US -in the New Year. The prospect of a strengthening dollar against the rupee amid improvement in the US economy is expected to draw fresh flows into domestic mutual fund schemes investing in American stocks.
 

The US economy is on strong recovery path and currently the best globally, which will also get reflected in their stock markets. Investors should make prudent decision in asset allocation and we would like to advise US focused international funds as they hold promise amid global slowdown.

Six domestic mutual funds, including Motilal Oswal Asset Management, DSP BlackRock, JP Morgan, ICICI Prudential, and Franklin Templeton, run schemes with exposure to US equities. The average returns from these schemes in 2014 were 14% against the 30% advance in the Sensex. But mutual fund officials and analysts paint a rosier picture for these schemes in 2015. The US markets are definitely better placed than most of the markets around the world, especially at the time when there is slowdown in Europe and Japan. As the US dollar continues to gain strength, it would be always wise to invest in international funds to hedge against local currently.

Expectation of a rate hike by the US Fed in 2015 is fuelling talk of a stronger dollar against global currencies. The US dollar is expected to strengthen against major currencies and if the domestic currency comes under pressure, then there will be additional gain in international funds.

The rupee weakened 2% against the dollar in 2014, and is currently trading around 13-month low of 63.36. The US benchmark index, Dow Jones, gained only 10% last year. Investors should always take wise decision and diversify e decision and diversify their portfolio risks by allocating 15-20% to US focused international funds, which is a strong economic recovery theme.

Some fund houses expect Chinese and European equities to also rally in 2015. Last year, Chinese equities outperformed India in a rally later in the year after the country's central bank cut rates. We expect Chinese markets to extend gains in 2015 as the price to earnings (PE) multiple is trading around attractive levels of 11 times. We expect further interest rate cuts in China with inflation at 1.5%, which may boost market sentiment.

Mutual fund managers say many high net-worth individuals (HNIs) and ultra HNIs generally invest in these funds as they look to diversify their fund allocation beyond India, especially during uncertainties in equity markets.

Best Tax Saver Mutual Funds or ELSS Mutual Funds for 2015

1. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan

2. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund

3. HDFC TaxSaver

4. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund

5. Religare Tax Plan

6. Franklin India TaxShield

7. Canara Robeco Equity Tax Saver

8. IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund

9. Axis Tax Saver Fund

10. BNP Paribas Long Term Equity Fund

You can invest Rs 1,50,000 and Save Tax under Section 80C by investing in Mutual Funds

Invest in Tax Saver Mutual Funds Online -

Invest Online

Download Application Forms

For further information contact Prajna Capital on 94 8300 8300 by leaving a missed call

---------------------------------------------

Leave your comment with mail ID and we will answer them

OR

You can write to us at

PrajnaCapital [at] Gmail [dot] Com

OR

Leave a missed Call on 94 8300 8300

---------------------------------------------

Invest Mutual Funds Online

Invest Any Mutual Fund Online

Download Mutual Fund Application Forms from all AMCs

Download Mutual Any Fund Application Forms

No comments: