Karthik Jerome
 "Karthik Jerome")
Karthik Jerome
Karthik Jerome writes on Personal Finance. He has almost a decade of experience in banking, having previously worked as a sales officer at HDFC Bank and as a relationship manager at ICICI Prudential.
Karthik Jerome writes on Personal Finance. He has almost a decade of experience in banking, having previously worked as a sales officer at HDFC Bank and as a relationship manager at ICICI Prudential.
Karthik Jerome
Avoid exiting Balanced Advantage Funds based on short-term underperformance
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
 "Avoid exiting Balanced Advantage Funds based on short-term underperformance")
Maternity coverage: Buy early, cross waiting period before need arises
With waiting periods and sub-limits, experts advise early planning and careful policy checks to manage delivery expenses
 "Maternity coverage: Buy early, cross waiting period before need arises")
Bitcoin price correction: Stay calm and avoid locking in losses on exits
New investors entering now should be cognisant of high volatility, regulatory risks and cybersecurity threats
 "Bitcoin price correction: Stay calm and avoid locking in losses on exits")
Midcap and smallcap funds: Continue SIPs despite recent anaemic performance
Maintain allocation to these higher-growth segments because of their potential to offer superior returns over the long term
 "Midcap and smallcap funds: Continue SIPs despite recent anaemic performance")
Partial hospital bill payout: Boost policy cover to secure full claims
In particular, avoid room rent caps that lead to proportionate deduction
 "Partial hospital bill payout: Boost policy cover to secure full claims")
Banking, financial services funds: Enter via SIPs with a 5-year view
If loan growth does not rise towards the 12-13 per cent range, valuations may shrink
 "Banking, financial services funds: Enter via SIPs with a 5-year view")
Half of urban Indians now prioritise early retirement planning: Study
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
 "Half of urban Indians now prioritise early retirement planning: Study")
Tackling festive debt hangover: Repay high-rate loans on priority
Curtail new discretionary spending until existing EMIs are cleared; use secured loans to clear high-cost debts
 "Tackling festive debt hangover: Repay high-rate loans on priority")
Value funds help balance growth portfolios; invest with 5-year view
Those unable to withstand periods of underperformance may avoid these funds
 "Value funds help balance growth portfolios; invest with 5-year view")
Investors should book partial profits if gold allocation is over 10%
Instead of falling prey to FOMO and diving in headlong, new investors should enter gradually and with a long horizon
 "Investors should book partial profits if gold allocation is over 10%")
Indian investors remain risk-averse, Sebi urges diversified portfolios
Sebi's 2025 survey finds most Indians prioritise capital preservation; experts say align risk with time horizon and personal comfort level
Festival home-loan offers: Prioritise long-term savings, avoid teaser rates
Compare the full cost of the loan rather than focusing solely on interest rates
 "Festival home-loan offers: Prioritise long-term savings, avoid teaser rates")
Money mkt funds can yield better returns than liquid funds in 6-12 months
Before investing, check the proportion of A1+ holdings and their composition
 "Money mkt funds can yield better returns than liquid funds in 6-12 months")
Loan against insurance: Compare with FD, gold, and top-up loans
Remember, if surrender value falls below dues, the policy is foreclosed, leading to loss of coverage
 "Loan against insurance: Compare with FD, gold, and top-up loans")
Buyers investing in agricultural land must adhere to state-specific rules
Some states allow only agriculturists to buy, while others require outsiders to secure approval prior to purchase
 "Buyers investing in agricultural land must adhere to state-specific rules")
Dividend yield funds seen as stable option for sound risk-adjusted returns
These funds may underperform growth funds and lag during bull runs
 "Dividend yield funds seen as stable option for sound risk-adjusted returns")
Liquid funds: Check long-term ratings for clearer view of portfolio quality
Assess the track record of the fund during past liquidity incidents
 "Liquid funds: Check long-term ratings for clearer view of portfolio quality")
Crypto security: Keep assets in self-custody, use insured exchange
Those holding crypto keys in a cold wallet must store seed phrases offline in a secure location
 "Crypto security: Keep assets in self-custody, use insured exchange")
Bitcoin rally: Cap crypto exposure at 2-5% of portfolio to manage risk
Be mindful of hacking risk and lack of regulatory clarity in India vis-a-vis these assets
 "Bitcoin rally: Cap crypto exposure at 2-5% of portfolio to manage risk")
Home insurance: Ensure policy covers calamities, pays reconstruction cost
Disclose all extensions, additional structures at the time of purchase
 "Home insurance: Ensure policy covers calamities, pays reconstruction cost")
