Karthik Jerome

Balanced Advantage Funds have had a weak year, but advisors warn against knee-jerk exits, saying investors should stay invested unless a fund persistently lags peers and benchmarks

With waiting periods and sub-limits, experts advise early planning and careful policy checks to manage delivery expenses

New investors entering now should be cognisant of high volatility, regulatory risks and cybersecurity threats

Maintain allocation to these higher-growth segments because of their potential to offer superior returns over the long term

In particular, avoid room rent caps that lead to proportionate deduction

If loan growth does not rise towards the 12-13 per cent range, valuations may shrink

India's retirement readiness improves with the IRIS Index rising to 48; health and financial awareness up but emotional well-being remains a concern, says Axis Max Life

Curtail new discretionary spending until existing EMIs are cleared; use secured loans to clear high-cost debts

Those unable to withstand periods of underperformance may avoid these funds

Instead of falling prey to FOMO and diving in headlong, new investors should enter gradually and with a long horizon

Sebi's 2025 survey finds most Indians prioritise capital preservation; experts say align risk with time horizon and personal comfort level

Compare the full cost of the loan rather than focusing solely on interest rates

Before investing, check the proportion of A1+ holdings and their composition

Remember, if surrender value falls below dues, the policy is foreclosed, leading to loss of coverage

Some states allow only agriculturists to buy, while others require outsiders to secure approval prior to purchase

These funds may underperform growth funds and lag during bull runs

Assess the track record of the fund during past liquidity incidents

Those holding crypto keys in a cold wallet must store seed phrases offline in a secure location

Be mindful of hacking risk and lack of regulatory clarity in India vis-a-vis these assets

Disclose all extensions, additional structures at the time of purchase