Sarbajeet K Sen

Dividend yield funds suit moderate-risk investors seeking lower volatility

These schemes invest in high-dividend stocks to cushion downside volatility, but they can underperform growth-oriented equity funds during strong bull market phases

Pharma & healthcare funds: Easing valuations, rising insurance aid outlook

Price controls by the Indian regulator, USFDA actions, and concentration risk are key concerns

Moderate-risk investors may choose balanced advantage funds for 2026

Balanced advantage funds offer equity participation with lower volatility through dynamic asset allocation, though they are not risk-free and returns can turn negative over the short term

Value funds' outlook: Broad-based earnings recovery could boost performance

A shift in sector leadership could also favour these funds

Sector, thematic funds' outlook: Avoid over-allocation, chasing returns

These concentrated bets suit experienced investors who can assess sector prospects and invest at attractive valuations

Sector, thematic funds 2026 outlook: Avoid over-allocation, chasing returns

Thematic and sector funds offer focused exposure to structural trends that may not be adequately represented in broader diversified portfolios

Largecap funds in 2026: Earnings visibility, valuations support outlook

Weaker-than-expected earnings due to external shocks or unforeseen domestic developments could affect performance

Silver outlook for 2026: Demand drivers, supply limits may support prices

After a bumper run in 2025, silver's long-term case remains intact, but experts warn investors to brace for volatility and moderate returns as global conditions evolve

Don't be fazed by one-year return; ELSS long-term record is robust

Choose them for their strong wealth creation potential and short lock-in period, especially if you remain on the old tax regime, but don't judge them on past-year returns alone

Smallcap funds: Normalised valuations make a case for long-term investors

Allocation should be commensurate with investor's risk appetite and horizon

Multi-asset funds: Invest for diversified portfolio, tax-smart rebalancing

Multi-asset allocation funds offer diversification across equities, debt and commodities with tax-efficient rebalancing, but they can lag pure equity funds during strong bull markets, experts say

Allocate 30-70% of your equity portfolio to large-cap funds, say experts

Large-cap funds have shown steady performance, with recent results pointing to improving earnings momentum across leading companies. Experts say valuations look appealing for long-term investors

New investors should enter systematically with a minimum seven-year horizon

New investors should enter US-focused funds systematically with at least a seven-year horizon, while existing ones rebalance portfolios and moderate tech exposure amid high valuations

Sectoral ETFs: Invest if you anticipate turnaround in beaten-down sector

Avoid behavioural error of entering near cyclical peak and exiting around bottom

US trade deal may reignite interest in manufacturing fund segment

Only seasoned investors with high risk appetite and a long horizon should hold manufacturing funds within their satellite portfolios, say experts

Building healthcare corpus: Balance growth and liquidity, avoid lock-ins

Health insurance policies often exclude several expenses. Sometimes claims get rejected. Standoffs between hospitals and insurers sometimes lead to cashless facility not being available

Fixed-income investments: Look beyond returns, weigh credit risk, lock-ins

Ladder investments across tenures to manage reinvestment risk, maintain liquidity, and balance returns amid falling interest rates and limited fixed-income options

Aggressive hybrid funds suit moderate-risk investors with long-term goals

Such funds are not entirely immune to volatility due to their considerable equity allocation

Invest in Conglomerate Funds for full cycle, limit to 5% allocation

Conglomerate firms are resilient, but risks in one unit can spill across the group

Midcap funds: Invest amid valuation comfort, strong earnings growth outlook

Enter with 10-year horizon; exposure can range from 20-40 per cent of portfolio, depending on risk appetite