A common question among a lot of investors during the choppy market is should they invest through SIP or go with a lump sum investment in mutual funds. We believe both lump sum and SIP are ideal for mutual fund investments during such crashes as the NAV has fallen and you get to buy mutual fund units at a lower price.
You can definitely lose money in mutual funds. They all involve some degree of risk based on what it is they invest in and all are subject to the rise and fall of markets. They are, however, a great tool to spread your risk over individual stocks or bonds and to spread your risk over individual markets.
While market crashes inevitably impact mutual funds' performance and pull them down, as an investor, you need to remain patient and avoid exiting your investment. If you redeem your investment during a market crash, you essentially convert your notional losses into actual ones.
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.
Key Takeaways
Cashing out mutual funds from an IRA or other tax-advantaged retirement account could trigger income taxes and penalties, depending on whether it's a traditional or Roth account. Withdrawing money from investments to pay off debt also means missing out on future growth in those accounts.
1. Saving Accounts. There's a good chance you already have a savings account. Like checking accounts, they're federally insured and are generally the simplest and safest place to keep cash in good times and bad.
Here are some situations when it might be appropriate to consider exiting a mutual fund: Achievement of Financial Goals: If you've achieved your investment objectives or reached a milestone, such as funding a specific goal like buying a house or funding education, it may be a good time to exit the fund.
If you are a short-term investor, certificates of deposit (CDs) issued by banks and Treasury securities are a good bet. If you invest for a longer period, fixed or indexed annuities or even indexed universal life insurance products can provide better returns than Treasury bonds.
Think before you rebalance
When things are looking bleak, consider holding on to your investments. Selling during market lows can be one of the worst things you can do for your portfolio — it locks in losses.
The chances of your mutual fund investment value going to zero are practically almost impossible as it would mean that all the assets in the fund's portfolio will have to lose their entire value. However, the returns from a fund can go to zero or even become negative.
During high interest rates. As soon as the RBI raises the interest rates, investing in bonds becomes less attractive and therefore, existing debt mutual funds see a dip in their NAV returns. Such periods are usually less attractive for equity mutual funds as well.
Since equity mutual funds are market-linked2, they can be volatile. This means if the market goes up, they will generate higher returns, and if the market goes down, it can create chances of loss 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.
How Long Should I Hold a Mutual Fund Before Deciding to Sell? There is no fixed timeframe for holding a mutual fund before deciding to sell. However, it's generally recommended to evaluate a fund's performance over three to five years before making a decision.
Fixed Income and Treasurys
Treasurys are considered to be virtually risk-free because they're backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Here's why they're valuable during market crashes: Low risk: Treasurys have minimal default risk, making them a reliable safe haven.
Don't use funds that you need soon.
Make sure you have the time horizon to weather any losses, or hold your cash in stable assets like an interest-bearing savings or checking account, money market fund, or CD—especially if you're expecting a large expense or purchase in the short-term.
No, a stock market crash only indicates a fall in prices where a majority of investors face losses but do not completely lose all the money.
As per this thumb rule, the first 8 years is a period where money grows steadily, the next 4 years is where it accelerates and the next 3 years is where the snowball effect takes place.
Mutual funds are relatively safe but not risk-free investments. Common risks faced by mutual funds include market fluctuations, stock/sector concentration, inflation, liquidity, and interest rates, in addition to credit risk.
However, if you have noticed significantly poor performance over the last two or more years, it may be time to cut your losses and move on. To help your decision, compare the fund's performance to a suitable benchmark or to similar funds. Exceptionally poor comparative performance should be a signal to sell the fund.
The Bottom Line
CDs are a comparatively safe investment. They can provide a stable income regardless of stock market conditions when they're managed properly. Always consider emergency money that you might need in the future when you're thinking of purchasing a CD or starting a CD ladder.
What Are the Biggest Risks to Avoid During a Recession? Many types of financial risks are heightened in a recession. This means that you're better off avoiding some risks that you might take in better economic times—such as co-signing a loan, taking out an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM), or taking on new debt.
Stay The Course With Long-Term Funds
With your mutual funds devoted to long-term growth, experts advise: stay the course.