Is it better to buy mutual funds when the market is down?

Asked by: Elyse Cruickshank III  |  Last update: October 3, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (11 votes)

Nobody can predict the market movements. Hence, instead of focusing on timing the market, one should be disciplined and should keep on investing in equity mutual funds irrespective of the market fluctuations. In the long term, these short term fluctuations do not affect your investments.

Should I invest in a mutual fund when the market is down?

Yes, investing more of a lump sum in mutual funds during a market downturn can be a smart strategy, especially if you have a long-term investment horizon and are comfortable with the associated risks.

What is the 90% rule for mutual funds?

The rule is relatively simple, advocating for splitting your portfolio, placing 90% of your assets into a low-cost S&P 500 index fund and the remaining 10% into short-term government bonds. The rule was first mentioned by Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the best-known investors in the world.

Is it good to invest in mutual funds when NAV is low?

The NAV is just a number that reflects the current value of the fund, not its potential for future growth. Unlike stocks, where a lower price may indicate a bargain, a low NAV in mutual funds does not mean the fund is undervalued. Similarly, a higher NAV does not mean the fund is overpriced.

When should you not invest in mutual funds?

Lack of Control. Because mutual funds do all the picking and investing work, they may be inappropriate for investors who want to have complete control over their portfolios and be able to rebalance their holdings on a regular basis.

Investing In Mutual Funds In 2025: What Are Top Picks, Which Funds To Avoid | CNBC TV18

20 related questions found

What is the best time to buy mutual funds?

The ideal time to invest a lump sum in mutual funds is when market conditions are poor but display signs of future growth. This strategic move capitalises on potential upswings, maximising returns for investors.

What are the dark side of mutual funds?

Mutual funds come with many advantages, such as advanced portfolio management, dividend reinvestment, risk reduction, convenience, and fair pricing. Disadvantages include high fees, tax inefficiency, poor trade execution, and the potential for management abuses.

How do I know if my mutual fund portfolio is good or bad?

Well, the first thing is to analyze the performance of the benchmark. I am sure that you are aware that every fund has a benchmark that is used to track and measure its performance. A good mutual fund is one that constantly beats its benchmark in the long term.

Can mutual funds go down in value?

Since they are market-linked, these funds get affected when the market goes down and this is why there are chances of loss in mutual funds too. Now many times when the markets are down, such as now, investors panic and take decisions that may not be in their best interests.

What does Warren Buffett recommend?

Trust a Low-Cost Index Fund for Your Portfolio

For instance, Buffett urges the average investor to purchase index funds. “Put 10% of the cash in short-term government bonds and 90% in a very low-cost S&P 500 index fund,” he wrote in his 2013 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders.

How much money should you keep in mutual funds?

One widely accepted approach is the 50/30/20 rule, which breaks down your income like this: 50% for essential expenses (rent, groceries, EMIs, etc.) 30% for discretionary spending (entertainment, vacations, etc.) 20% for savings and investments like mutual funds.

What is 15 15 30 rule in mutual funds?

15x15x30 rule in mutual funds is strategy to invest Rs 15,000 per month for 30 years in a fund that offers a 15% annual return. According to some experts, this strategy can help an investor accumulate Rs 10 crore over 30 years, compared to Rs 1 crore if they invested for 15 years.

Is it better to invest when the market is down?

If your portfolio includes stocks, down markets are already factored into your long-term return expectations. By continuing to invest regularly during a down market, you'll often be able to buy more of your chosen investments with the same amount of money as before.

Why are mutual funds going down in 2024?

This can happen for a number of reasons, including market downturns, concentration risk, regulatory changes, unforeseen events, volatility, lack of knowledge, and unreliable fund managers. Mutual funds offer many benefits to investors.

When should I stop investing in mutual funds?

When it comes to equity, it is very important that, especially when you are thinking about long-term goals, you want to exit as soon as you have 2-3 years left approaching your goal and there are just 2-3 years to get there. That is number one.

Should you buy mutual funds when the market is down?

Nobody can predict the market movements. Hence, instead of focusing on timing the market, one should be disciplined and should keep on investing in equity mutual funds irrespective of the market fluctuations. In the long term, these short term fluctuations do not affect your investments.

What does Dave Ramsey say about investing in mutual funds?

Ramsey often recommends allocating investments into four types of mutual funds: growth, growth and income, aggressive growth, and international funds. This diversification strategy helps protect against market volatility and ensures a balanced approach to retirement savings.

What investments are better than mutual funds?

Index-tracking ETFs typically cost less to own than mutual funds because they require less active management and charge lower fees. ETFs often provide more tax advantages since investors only pay capital gains taxes when they sell their shares.

What percentage of my portfolio should be in mutual funds?

While personal finance experts generally recommend allocating 25-35 percent of your investments to mutual funds, the exact allocation cannot be done using a one-size-fits-all approach. Understanding how much and in what level one should regularly invest in mutual funds, requires a thoughtful and personalised approach.

What are the 4 types of mutual funds?

Mutual funds are generally divided into four main categories: Bond Funds, Money Market Funds, Target Date Funds, and Stock Funds. Each category has distinct features, risks, and return potential, allowing investors to choose based on their financial objectives and risk tolerance.

Can my portfolio go negative?

No. A stock price can't go negative, or, that is, fall below zero. So an investor does not owe anyone money. They will, however, lose whatever money they invested in the stock if the stock falls to zero.

Do millionaires use mutual funds?

Where do millionaires keep their money? High-net-worth individuals put money into different classifications of financial and real assets, including stocks, mutual funds, retirement accounts and real estate.

What happens to mutual funds if the market crashes?

NAV of Mutual Funds Come Down

When NAV comes down following a crash, so does your investment's worth. Let's understand it with an example. Suppose a fund's NAV before a crash is 50, and you have 1000 units of it. So, the value of your investment is Rs 50,000 (50 X 1000).

What is the safest type of mutual fund?

Money market funds

Because their underlying investments are typically high quality, they are generally less volatile than other types of mutual funds, such as stock funds. Money market funds offer diversification and liquidity.