Investing in mutual funds can be an excellent way to diversify your portfolio and achieve your financial goals. Among the various types of mutual funds available, multi-asset allocation funds stand out for their ability to invest across different asset classes, offering a balanced approach to risk and return.
In this article, we will explore what multi-asset funds are, their features, benefits, risks, and how to invest in them.
As the name suggests, a multi-asset allocation fund is a type of mutual fund that invests in multiple asset classes. Unlike traditional balanced funds, which primarily focus on equities and debt, multi-asset funds expand their investment universe to include a broader range of asset classes such as real estate, gold, commodities, and alternative investments.
According to SEBI guidelines, a Multi-Asset Allocation Fund must allocate 10% of its portfolio in at least three asset classes. However, the fund manager has the flexibility to choose which assets to invest in and how to allocate them, with no strict restrictions on asset selection.
The primary objective of multi-asset allocation funds is to provide investors with diversified exposure to various asset types, thereby reducing the overall risk associated with investing in a single asset class.
List of the top-performing Multi Asset Allocation funds sorted by returns with their AUM and Expense Ratio.
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AUM ₹3153 Cr •
Expense 0.62%
AUM ₹50988 Cr •
Expense 0.69%
AUM ₹321 Cr •
Expense 1.03%
AUM ₹4682 Cr •
Expense 0.6%
AUM ₹4683 Cr •
Expense 0.29%
AUM ₹3434 Cr •
Expense 0.06%
AUM ₹3410 Cr •
Expense 0.5%
AUM ₹6986 Cr •
Expense 0.5%
AUM ₹3818 Cr •
Expense 0.74%
AUM ₹60 Cr •
Expense 0.48%
AUM ₹1281 Cr •
Expense 1.04%
AUM ₹101 Cr •
Expense 0.89%
AUM ₹0 Cr •
Expense 0%
AUM ₹1193 Cr •
Expense 0.89%
AUM ₹1428 Cr •
Expense 0.4%
AUM ₹160 Cr •
Expense 0.37%
AUM ₹7653 Cr •
Expense 0.31%
AUM ₹2442 Cr •
Expense 0.21%
AUM ₹1756 Cr •
Expense 0.44%
AUM ₹2053 Cr •
Expense 0.52%
The core principle of multi-asset allocation funds is diversification. By investing across multiple asset classes, these funds aim to reduce portfolio risk and enhance returns. The specific asset allocation within this fund can vary widely depending on the fund's investment objective and risk profile.
The fund manager decides the allocation of investments across different asset classes based on market conditions, economic outlook, and the fund's investment objectives. This dynamic approach to risk management allows the fund to adapt to changing market environments and take advantage of opportunities across various sectors.
Common asset classes included are:
Equities: Stocks representing ownership in companies
Debt: Bonds issued by governments or corporations
Real Estate: Investment in properties or real estate-related securities
Gold: A precious metal often used as a hedge against inflation and market volatility
Commodities: Raw materials such as agricultural products, metals, and energy
Alternative Investments: Assets like hedge funds, private equity, and venture capital
The fund manager plays a crucial role in determining the optimal asset allocation and rebalancing the portfolio to maintain the desired exposure to different asset classes.
Diversification: These funds invest in a mix of asset classes. This reduces the impact of poor performance in any single asset class on the overall portfolio. For instance, if the stock market declines, the downside risk to fund's performance might be cushioned by the performance of other asset categories like gold or debt.
Balanced Risk and Return: By spreading investments, the fund manager can adjust the asset allocation to manage risk based on market conditions. For instance, if the equity market is volatile, the fund manager might reduce the equity exposure and increase allocation to safer assets like gold or real estate. This helps protect investors' capital from significant losses.
Potential for Higher Returns: Diversification can potentially lead to higher long-term returns. Different asset classes tend to perform differently under various economic conditions. By investing in a mix, there's a potential to capture gains from different sectors and market segments.
Professional Management: These funds are managed by experienced fund managers who have expertise in analysing and investing across diverse types of assets. They conduct in-depth research, make investment decisions, and monitor market trends to optimise the fund's performance. This relieves investors of the burden of managing a complex portfolio themselves.
Transparency: Fund houses are required to provide regular information about the fund's investments risk management, performance, and expenses. This transparency helps investors make informed decisions and monitor their investments.
Investing in multi-asset allocation funds requires careful consideration. Here are some key factors to evaluate:
Investment Objective: Clearly define your financial goals. Are you seeking income, growth, or a balance of both? Different multi-asset allocation funds cater to different objectives.
Risk Tolerance: Assess your ability to handle market fluctuations. These funds can vary in risk levels. Choose a fund that aligns with your risk profile.
Time Horizon: Consider your investment horizon. These funds are generally suitable for long-term investors who can ride out market cycles.
Fees: Compare the expense ratios of different funds to understand the cost of investing.
Tax Implications: Consider the tax implications of investing in a multi-asset fund, especially regarding capital gains and dividends.
Multi-asset mutual funds are particularly suitable for investors who seek stable returns and a balanced approach to investing.
Risk-averse investors: Those with a low to moderate risk tolerance can benefit from the diversification offered by multi-asset allocation funds.
Long-term investors: Investors with a long-term investment horizon (5 years or more) are better positioned to reap the benefits of these funds.
Investors seeking diversification: Those looking to spread their investments across different asset classes to reduce risk.
Investors with limited investment knowledge: These funds provide professional management and diversification without requiring extensive investment expertise.
Risk tolerance and investment horizon are crucial factors when considering multi-asset funds. Investors with a lower risk tolerance might prefer funds with a higher allocation to debt and other stable assets.
Conversely, those with a higher risk tolerance can consider funds with a more significant exposure to equities and other growth-oriented assets.
A longer investment horizon allows investors to ride out market fluctuations and benefit from the long-term potential of different asset classes.
Multi-asset allocation funds offer a compelling investment option for conservative investors due to their ability to balance risk and return. Here are some of the key benefits of multi-asset fund investments:
Portfolio Diversification: Spreading investments across multiple asset classes reduces portfolio risk.
Professional Management: Investors benefit from the expertise of experienced fund managers.
Potential for Higher Returns: Diversification can potentially lead to higher long-term returns.
Liquidity: Most multi-asset allocation funds offer liquidity, allowing investors to buy and sell units easily.
Convenience: Investors can access a diversified portfolio through a single investment.
Higher Fees: These funds typically have higher expense ratios compared to traditional equity or debt funds.
Performance Variability: The fund's performance can be influenced by the performance of various asset classes, which may not always be synchronised.
Complexity: Understanding how different assets work together can be tricky.
Lack of Control: Investors have limited control over the fund's investment decisions.
The taxation of multi-asset allocation funds in India depends on the underlying asset allocation and the holding period of the investment.
You can invest in a multi-asset allocation fund through the issuing fund house or online platforms like INDmoney. Follow these steps to invest:
A multi-asset allocation fund of funds invests in at least 3 asset classes with a minimum allocation of at least 10% in each asset class. Instead of directly buying stocks or bonds, it buys shares of other funds that invest in these assets.
While both invest in different asset classes, a balanced fund typically focuses on stocks and bonds. Multi-asset mutual funds focus on other assets like gold, real estate, and even international stocks. So, they offer a wider range of investment options.
A multi-cap fund invests in companies of different sizes (small, medium, and large). It focuses only on stocks. On the other hand, multi-asset mutual funds invest in diverse asset classes like stocks, bonds, gold, etc. They spread your money across different types of investments.
An equity fund invests only in stocks. A multi-asset allocation fund invests in a mix of stocks, bonds, and other assets. So, a multi-asset fund is more diversified.
Both have their own advantages and disadvantages. A multi-asset allocation fund offers stability through diversification and it also reduces risk. A dynamic asset allocation fund aims for higher returns by changing its investments based on market conditions. However, the best choice depends on your risk tolerance and investment goals.
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