{"id":78087,"date":"2026-10-28T16:47:16","date_gmt":"2026-10-28T11:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/?post_type=markets&#038;p=78087"},"modified":"2026-10-28T16:48:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T11:18:21","slug":"how-to-analyse-equity-mutual-funds","status":"publish","type":"markets","link":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/how-to-analyse-equity-mutual-funds\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Analyse Equity Mutual Funds"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"78087\" class=\"elementor elementor-78087\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4be72f6 elementor-section-full_width tab_container elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4be72f6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d209c0c\" data-id=\"d209c0c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-896d102 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"896d102\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c9133f2 chapters_list\" data-id=\"c9133f2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa101bd elementor-widget elementor-widget-shortcode\" data-id=\"aa101bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"shortcode.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shortcode\">\t<script>\n\t\tjQuery(document).ready(function(){\n\t\t\tjQuery(\"#post_chapters a[href*='\" + location.pathname + \"']\")\n\t\t\t\t.addClass(\"current\")\n\t\t\t\t.attr(\"aria-current\", \"page\");\n\t\t})\n\t<\/script>\n\t<div class=\"desktop_chapters\"><div id=\"post_chapters\"><div class=\"post_chapters-heading\">Chapters<\/div><ul><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/background-and-orientation\/\">Background and Orientation<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/personal-finance-math\/\">Personal Finance Math<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/money-today-vs-money-tommorrow\/\">Money Today vs Money Tommorrow<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/the-retirement-part-1\/\">The Retirement -Part 1<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/assumptions-in-retirement-planning\/\">Assumptions in Retirement Planning<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/understanding-stock-funds\/\">The Role of Mutual Funds in Modern Finance<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/concept-of-fund-and-nav\/\">Concept of Fund and NAV<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/understanding-the-performance-of-your-fund\/\">Mutual Fund Factsheet<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/the-equity-scheme\/\"> The Equity Scheme<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/equity-scheme-part-2\/\">Equity Scheme Part 2<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/debt-funds-part-1\/\">Debt Funds Part 1<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/monitoring-your-portfolio\/\">Debt Funds Part 2<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/debt-funds-part-3\/\">Debt Funds Part 3<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/debt-funds-part-4\/\">Debt Funds Part 4<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/investing-in-bonds\/\">Investing in Bonds<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/index-funds\/\">Index Funds<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/arbitrage-funds\/\">Arbitrage Funds<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/measuring-mutual-fund-returns\/\">Measuring Mutual Fund Returns<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/rolling-returns\/\">Rolling Returns<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/mutual-fund-expense-ratio\/\">Mutual Fund Expense Ratio<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/mutual-fund-benchmarking\/\">Mutual Fund Benchmarking<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/mutual-fund-beta-sd-and-sharpe-ratio\/\">Mutual Fund Beta SD and Sharpe Ratio<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/sortino-and-capture-ratios\/\">Sortino and Capture Ratios<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/how-to-analyse-equity-mutual-funds\/\">How to Analyse Equity Mutual Funds<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/how-to-analyse-debt-mutual-fund\/\">How to Analyse Debt Mutual Fund<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/mutual-fund-portfolio\/\">Mutual Fund Portfolio<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/smart-beta-funds\/\">Smart Beta Funds<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/asset-allocation\/\">Asset Allocation<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/exchange-traded-funds\/\">Exchange Traded Funds<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/basics-of-macro-economics\/\">Basics of Macro Economics<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/personal-finance-part-1\/\">Personal Finance-Part 1<\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/personal-finance-review-part-2\/\">Personal Finance Review Part 2 <\/a><\/li><li><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/know-your-funds\/\">Know Your Funds<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"chapters_toggle\"><a href=\"#\" id=\"open_chapters\" aria-label=\"View chapters\"><span>View Chapters<\/span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/a><a href=\"#\" id=\"close_chapters\" style=\"display:none;\" aria-label=\"Hide chapters\"><span>Hide Chapters<\/span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\t<script>\n\t\tjQuery(document).ready(function(){\n\t\t\tjQuery('.chapters_toggle #open_chapters').click(function(e){\n\t\t\t\te.preventDefault();\n\t\t\t\tjQuery('.desktop_chapters').removeAttr('hidden').css('left', '0px');\n\t\t\t\tjQuery('#open_chapters').css('display', 'none');\n\t\t\t\tjQuery('#close_chapters').css('display', 'block').focus();\n\t\t\t});\n\n\t\t\tjQuery('.chapters_toggle #close_chapters').click(function(e){\n\t\t\t\te.preventDefault();\n\t\t\t\tjQuery('.desktop_chapters').css('left', '-480px').attr('hidden', '');\n\t\t\t\tjQuery('#open_chapters').css('display', 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class=\"eael-tabs-nav \">\n                <ul class=\"eael-tab-inline-icon\" role=\"tablist\">\n                                            <li id=\"study\" class=\"active-default eael-tab-item-trigger eael-tab-nav-item\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"study-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                                                                <i class=\"far fa-edit\"><\/i>                                                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title title-after-icon\" >Study<\/span>                            \n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"slides\" class=\" eael-tab-item-trigger eael-tab-nav-item\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"slides-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                                                                <i class=\"fas fa-book-open\"><\/i>                                                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title title-after-icon\" >Slides<\/span>                            \n                                                    <\/li>\n                                            <li id=\"videos\" class=\" eael-tab-item-trigger eael-tab-nav-item\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"videos-tab\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n                            \n                                                                <i class=\"far fa-eye\"><\/i>                                                            \n                                                            <span class=\"eael-tab-title title-after-icon\" >Videos<\/span>                            \n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \n                                  <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n            \n            <div class=\"eael-tabs-content\">\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"study-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item active-default\" data-title-link=\"study-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        <p><div class='white' style='background:rgb(255, 255, 255); border:solid 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 1px;'>\n<div id='text_slider' class='owl-carousel sa_owl_theme owl-pagination-true' data-slider-id='text_slider' style='visibility: visible;visibility:visible;'>\n<div id='text_slider_slide01' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Blueprint-for-Portfolio-Construction' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2><strong><b>24.1 Blueprint for Portfolio Construction<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-77999 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blue-Print-for-Porfolio-Construction.png\" alt=\"Blue Print for Porfolio Construction\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blue-Print-for-Porfolio-Construction.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blue-Print-for-Porfolio-Construction-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blue-Print-for-Porfolio-Construction-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blue-Print-for-Porfolio-Construction-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blue-Print-for-Porfolio-Construction-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blue-Print-for-Porfolio-Construction-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blue-Print-for-Porfolio-Construction-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Blue-Print-for-Porfolio-Construction-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>Achieving long-term financial independence requires transforming personal financial goals into actionable investment strategies. Mutual funds serve as the ideal vehicle for retail investors, bridging personal targets\u2014such as building a \u20b940 lakh higher education fund over a 15-year horizon\u2014with professional market management.<\/p>\r\n<p>Constructing a goal-aligned portfolio relies on three core operational phases:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Target Formulation:<\/b><\/strong>Translating life goals into specific required timelines and inflation-adjusted terminal values.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Selection &amp; Allocation:<\/b><\/strong>Conducting thorough fund research and allocating capital across equity and debt options.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Portfolio Maintenance:<\/b><\/strong>Performing structured, periodic performance and risk reviews.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>While establishing goals is straightforward, evaluating individual equity schemes requires a systematic framework to filter out underperforming funds.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide02' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Baseline-Health-Audit ' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2><strong><b>24.2 Baseline Health Audit\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-78000 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Baseline-Health-Audit.png\" alt=\"Baseline Health Audit\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Baseline-Health-Audit.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Baseline-Health-Audit-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Baseline-Health-Audit-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Baseline-Health-Audit-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Baseline-Health-Audit-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Baseline-Health-Audit-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Baseline-Health-Audit-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Baseline-Health-Audit-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>The initial evaluation phase focuses on baseline structural details accessible via factsheets.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Operating Track Record:<\/b><\/strong>Prioritize schemes with extended histories across multiple market cycles. Evaluating the <strong><b>Kotak Flexicap Fund<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0(launched in September 2009 as Kotak Select Focus Fund, later renamed Kotak Standard Multicap Fund) provides over 15 years of continuous operational data.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Appropriate Benchmarking: <\/b><\/strong>Ensure the scheme measures itself against a realistic universe. A flexible, multi-cap style strategy should be evaluated against broad market indices like the Nifty 500 TRI (Kotak Flexicap\u2019s current benchmark) or BSE 500 TRI rather than narrow large-cap indices like the Nifty 50.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Relative AUM &amp; Flagship Priority: <\/b><\/strong>Evaluate Assets Under Management relative to the Asset Management Company (AMC). For instance, Kotak Flexicap Fund manages about \u20b956,400 crore (September 2026), making it one of Kotak AMC\u2019s largest equity schemes. This signals a &#8220;flagship&#8221; offering that the AMC is incentivized to manage prudently.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Asset Growth Trajectory: <\/b><\/strong>Gradual asset growth reflects healthy investor confidence. Conversely, abrupt liquidity surges from heavy marketing campaigns can strain portfolio deployment agility.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Cost Structure Impact: <\/b><\/strong>Always select <strong><b>Direct Plans<\/b><\/strong>. Choosing a Direct plan (e.g., ~0.66% TER for Kotak Flexicap\u2019s Direct plan in 2026) over a Regular plan (typically around 0.8\u20131 percentage point costlier) prevents persistent fee drag on long-term compound growth.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Avoiding Portfolio Nitpicking: <\/b><\/strong>Refrain from micromanaging individual stock choices within the portfolio. Evaluating active managers on micro-allocations overlooks their primary role: overall risk control and macro execution.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide03' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Rolling-Returns-Analysis' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2><strong><b>24.3 Rolling Returns Analysis<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-78001 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rolling-Return-Analysis.png\" alt=\"Rolling Return Analysis\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rolling-Return-Analysis.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rolling-Return-Analysis-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rolling-Return-Analysis-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rolling-Return-Analysis-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rolling-Return-Analysis-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rolling-Return-Analysis-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rolling-Return-Analysis-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Rolling-Return-Analysis-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>How consistent has the fund been?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\">A fund\u2019s 1-year or 3-year return can look very good or very bad depending on which dates you pick. A better approach is to check its returns over <em>every<\/em> possible 3-, 5- and 10-year period. These are called <strong>rolling returns<\/strong>, and they show how reliably the fund has performed over time, not just on one lucky or unlucky date.<\/p>\r\n<div dir=\"ltr\">\r\n<table>\r\n<thead>\r\n<tr>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Holding period<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Fund\u2019s average return<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Index\u2019s average return (Nifty 200 TRI)<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">Fund\u2019s worst to best return<\/th>\r\n<th scope=\"col\">What it means<\/th>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>3 years<\/td>\r\n<td><span dir=\"ltr\">15.20%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span dir=\"ltr\">9.87%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td>-5.19% to +31.20%<\/td>\r\n<td>The fund usually beat the index, but over short periods returns swung widely and were sometimes negative.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>5 years<\/td>\r\n<td><span dir=\"ltr\">16.51%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span dir=\"ltr\">10.46%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td>+1.18% to +25.09%<\/td>\r\n<td>Investors who held for 5 years never lost money. The index\u2019s worst 5-year return was -2.28%.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>10 years<\/td>\r\n<td><span dir=\"ltr\">12.07%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td><span dir=\"ltr\">7.48%<\/span><\/td>\r\n<td>+8.59% to +14.56%<\/td>\r\n<td>Over 10 years, returns were steady and always well above the index.<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<p dir=\"ltr\"><strong>Key takeaways<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul dir=\"ltr\">\r\n<li><strong>The longer you stay invested, the more predictable your returns.<\/strong> The gap between the worst and best outcomes shrinks sharply from 3 to 10 years.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>The fund has beaten its index on average in every holding period.<\/strong> However, it may have taken somewhat more risk to do so, so higher returns aren\u2019t the full story.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>The fund\u2019s lead over the index has been shrinking lately.<\/strong> This could be because the fund has grown very large or because market conditions have changed. It\u2019s worth watching.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide04' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Risk\u2013Reward-Efficiency-Assessment' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2><strong><b>24.4 Risk\u2013Reward Efficiency Assessment<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-78002 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Risk-Reward-Efficiency-Assessment.png\" alt=\"Risk Reward Efficiency Assessment\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Risk-Reward-Efficiency-Assessment.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Risk-Reward-Efficiency-Assessment-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Risk-Reward-Efficiency-Assessment-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Risk-Reward-Efficiency-Assessment-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Risk-Reward-Efficiency-Assessment-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Risk-Reward-Efficiency-Assessment-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Risk-Reward-Efficiency-Assessment-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Risk-Reward-Efficiency-Assessment-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>Evaluating returns without adjusting for risk presents an incomplete picture. Active management is justified when a fund delivers market-matching returns at reduced volatility, or superior returns at equivalent risk.<\/p>\r\n<p>Analyzing a 5-Year Volatility (Standard Deviation on X-axis) versus Return (Y-axis) plot:<\/p>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-77998 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/risk_return_plot.png\" alt=\"risk_return_plot\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/risk_return_plot.png 1800w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/risk_return_plot-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/risk_return_plot-1024x683.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/risk_return_plot-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/risk_return_plot-1536x1024.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/risk_return_plot-50x33.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/risk_return_plot-100x67.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/risk_return_plot-150x100.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Benchmark Index:<\/b><\/strong>Serves as the anchor (~10% return at 19% standard deviation).<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Category Peers:<\/b><\/strong>Often share identical risk profiles (19% standard deviation) while yielding lower net returns (~8.5%), indicating poor overall fee efficiency.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Optimal Active Scheme:<\/b><\/strong>Positions to the left of the benchmark\u2014delivering equal or superior returns (~10.5%) while operating at a lower risk profile (~18% standard deviation).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide05' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Market-Stress-Testing' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2><strong><b>24.5 Market Stress-Testing<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-78003 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Market-Stress-Testing.png\" alt=\"Market Stress Testing\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Market-Stress-Testing.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Market-Stress-Testing-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Market-Stress-Testing-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Market-Stress-Testing-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Market-Stress-Testing-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Market-Stress-Testing-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Market-Stress-Testing-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Market-Stress-Testing-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>Capture ratios quantify fund behavior during market expansions and contractions. An Upside Capture Ratio above 100% signifies outperformance during market rallies, whereas a Downside Capture Ratio below 100% reflects capital containment during market downturns.<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>5-Year Metrics: <\/b><\/strong>Upside Capture = 94% | <strong><b>Downside Capture = 90%<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>10-Year Metrics: <\/b><\/strong>Upside Capture = 99% | <strong><b>Downside Capture = 87%<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Retaining 99% of market gains while absorbing only 87% of market drawdowns over decade-long horizons accelerates compounding momentum while curbing investor panic during bear markets.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide06' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Key-Takeaways' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2><strong><b>24.6 Key Takeaways<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-76118 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4.png\" alt=\"Key Takeaways\" width=\"444\" height=\"418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4.png 444w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4-300x282.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4-50x47.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4-100x94.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4-150x141.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 444px) 100vw, 444px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Filter with Hygiene:<\/b><\/strong>Verify track record length, low-cost Direct plan availability, and AMC flagship status before assessing returns.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Rely on Rolling Metrics:<\/b><\/strong>Prioritize 3, 5, and 10-year rolling return distribution ranges over point-to-point trailing numbers.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Evaluate Risk Efficiency:<\/b><\/strong>Confirm that excess returns stem from superior portfolio construction rather than heightened volatility.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Verify Downside Cushioning:<\/b><\/strong>Target downside capture ratios consistently below 100% to safeguard capital during structural market corrections.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><b>\u00a0<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script type='text\/javascript'>\n\tjQuery(document).ready(function() {\n\t\tjQuery('#text_slider').owlCarousel({\n\t\t\titems : 1,\n\t\t\tsmartSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tautoplay : false,\n\t\t\tautoplayHoverPause : false,\n\t\t\tsmartSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tfluidSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tautoplaySpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tnavSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tdotsSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tdotsEach : 1,\n\t\t\tloop : false,\n\t\t\tnav : true,\n\t\t\tnavText : ['Previous','Next'],\n\t\t\tdots : true,\n\t\t\tresponsiveRefreshRate : 200,\n\t\t\tslideBy : 1,\n\t\t\tmergeFit : true,\n\t\t\tautoHeight : true,\n\t\t\tmouseDrag : false,\n\t\t\ttouchDrag : true\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('#text_slider').css('visibility', 'visible');\n\t\tvar owl_goto = jQuery('#text_slider');\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto1').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 0);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto2').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 1);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto3').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 2);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto4').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 3);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto5').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 4);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto6').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 5);\n\t\t});\n\t\tvar resize_77915 = jQuery('.owl-carousel');\n\t\tresize_77915.on('initialized.owl.carousel', function(e) {\n\t\t\tif (typeof(Event) === 'function') {\n\t\t\t\twindow.dispatchEvent(new Event('resize'));\n\t\t\t} else {\n\t\t\t\tvar evt = window.document.createEvent('UIEvents');\n\t\t\t\tevt.initUIEvent('resize', true, false, window, 0);\n\t\t\t\twindow.dispatchEvent(evt);\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t});\n\t});\n<\/script>\n<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>                    <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"slides-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item \" data-title-link=\"slides-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        <p><div class='white' style='background:rgb(255, 255, 255); border:solid 0px rgb(255, 255, 255); border-radius:0px; padding:0px 0px 0px 1px;'>\n<div id='text_slider' class='owl-carousel sa_owl_theme owl-pagination-true' data-slider-id='text_slider' style='visibility: visible;visibility:visible;'>\n<div id='text_slider_slide01' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Why-talk-about-bonds-now?' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>15.1 <\/strong><strong><b>Why talk about bonds now?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-77926 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Why-Talk-About-Bonds-Now.png\" alt=\"Why Talk About Bonds Now\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Why-Talk-About-Bonds-Now.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Why-Talk-About-Bonds-Now-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Why-Talk-About-Bonds-Now-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Why-Talk-About-Bonds-Now-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Why-Talk-About-Bonds-Now-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Why-Talk-About-Bonds-Now-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Why-Talk-About-Bonds-Now-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Why-Talk-About-Bonds-Now-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>We have just finished exploring debt mutual funds, which are essentially baskets of bonds managed by professionals. Before moving on to index funds, it makes sense to pause and understand bonds themselves. After all, debt funds are nothing but a collection of bonds, and if fund managers can buy them directly, so can you. Today, investors don\u2019t need to rely only on mutual funds, there are stock exchanges, SEBI\u2011registered Online Bond Platform Providers (OBPPs) and, for government securities, RBI Retail Direct, all of which allow individuals to purchase bonds directly, much like buying shares. Understanding bonds at this stage helps you see the mechanics behind debt funds and gives you the option to invest without an intermediary.<\/p>\r\n<p>Debt mutual funds are essentially collections of bonds. By learning bonds directly, you understand what fund managers are doing behind the scenes.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><b>Example:<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>A debt fund like HDFC Corporate Bond Fund invests in PSU bonds such as Power Finance Corporation (PFC).<\/li>\r\n<li>As an individual, you can also buy listed PFC bonds directly on NSE\/BSE through your broker, or through a SEBI\u2011registered online bond platform.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>This means you can bypass the AMC if you want more control, though you\u2019ll lose professional management.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide02' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash=' Looking-at-bonds-before-investing' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2><strong><b>15.2 <\/b><\/strong><strong><b>Looking at bonds before investing<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-77927 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Looking-at-Funds-Before-Investing.png\" alt=\"Looking at Funds Before Investing\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Looking-at-Funds-Before-Investing.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Looking-at-Funds-Before-Investing-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Looking-at-Funds-Before-Investing-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Looking-at-Funds-Before-Investing-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Looking-at-Funds-Before-Investing-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Looking-at-Funds-Before-Investing-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Looking-at-Funds-Before-Investing-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Looking-at-Funds-Before-Investing-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>Imagine you\u2019re browsing the stock exchange website and come across bonds issued by a government-backed company, say Power Finance Corporation (PFC). Each bond issue has a unique identification number called an ISIN, much like a fingerprint. Clicking on a bond reveals details such as whether it is tax-free, its credit rating, issue date, maturity date, coupon rate, and face value.<\/p>\r\n<p>For example, suppose a PFC bond carries a tax-free tag. This means the interest you earn annually is exempt from income tax, making it highly attractive for investors in higher tax brackets. Note that no new tax\u2011free bonds have been issued since 2015\u201316, so today they can be bought only in the secondary market on NSE\/BSE. However, if you sell the bond before maturity at a profit, that gain is taxable as capital gains. For listed bonds held for more than 12 months, long\u2011term capital gains are currently taxed at 12.5% without indexation; gains on bonds held for 12 months or less are taxed at your income\u2011tax slab rate. Next, you notice the <strong><b>credit rating<\/b><\/strong>\u2014say AAA from CRISIL. This rating signals that the issuer is extremely reliable in repaying its debt. Since PFC is a government-owned company (a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Power), so the risk of default is considered minimal, although its bonds are not explicitly guaranteed by the government.<\/p>\r\n<p>Other details matter too. If the bond is marked as secured, it means the issuer has pledged assets against the borrowing, similar to how banks secure car loans against the vehicle. This reduces risk further. You\u2019ll also see the issue date and maturity date\u2014perhaps issued in 2015 and maturing in 2030, making it a 15 year instrument. Finally, the coupon rate\u00a0tells you how much interest you\u2019ll earn annually based on the bond\u2019s face value. If the coupon is 7% and the face value is \u20b91,000, you\u2019ll receive \u20b970 per bond each year until maturity.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><b>Looking at Bonds Before Investing<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Detail<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Meaning<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Example<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>ISIN<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Unique identifier for each bond issue.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>PFC bond ISINs begin with \u2018INE134E\u2019, PFC\u2019s issuer code.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Tax-Free Tag<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Interest exempt from income tax.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>NHAI Tax-Free Bonds (2015\u201316 issue).<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Credit Rating<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Reliability of issuer.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>AAA rating for PFC bonds.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Secured\/Unsecured<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Whether assets are pledged.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>REC secured bonds backed by receivables.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Issue &amp; Maturity Date<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Tenure of the bond.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Issued 2015, maturing 2030 (15 years).<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Coupon Rate<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Annual interest on face value.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>7% coupon \u2192 \u20b970 per \u20b91,000 bond.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p><strong><b>Example:<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0If you buy a PFC Tax-Free Bond (October 2015 issue, 15-year series, 7.52% retail coupon, AAA-rated), you\u2019ll receive tax-free interest every year until it matures in 2030. (The 10-year series of the same issue, with a 7.36% retail coupon, matured in 2025.)<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide03' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Yield-to-Maturity' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>15.3.<\/strong><strong><b>Yield to Maturity (YTM)<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-77928 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Yield-to-Maturity.png\" alt=\"Yield to Maturity\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Yield-to-Maturity.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Yield-to-Maturity-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Yield-to-Maturity-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Yield-to-Maturity-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Yield-to-Maturity-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Yield-to-Maturity-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Yield-to-Maturity-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Yield-to-Maturity-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>While the coupon looks straightforward, the real measure of return is the Yield to Maturity (YTM). Think of it like buying a rental property. Suppose you buy a shop for \u20b950 lakh and rent it out for \u20b95 lakh per year. That\u2019s a 10% rental yield. But if you later sell the shop for the same \u20b950 lakh, your net yield remains 10%. If you bought it at \u20b955 lakh instead, your yield drops because your cost was higher. Conversely, if you bought it at \u20b945 lakh, your yield rises because you paid less for the same rent.<\/p>\r\n<p>Bonds work the same way. The coupon is fixed, but the price you pay for the bond changes in the market. If a bond with a \u20b91,000 face value and 7% coupon is trading at \u20b91,080, you still earn \u20b970 annually, but your effective yield is lower because you paid more upfront. On maturity, you\u2019ll only get back \u20b91,000, not the premium you paid. That\u2019s why YTM often differs from the coupon\u2014it reflects the actual return considering both interest payments and the difference between purchase price and redemption value.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><b>Yield to Maturity (YTM)<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Scenario<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Bond Price<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Coupon (\u20b970)<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"368\">\r\n<p><strong><b>Current Yield (Coupon \u00f7 Price)<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Buy at Face Value<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>\u20b91,000<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>\u20b970<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"368\">\r\n<p>7%<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Buy at Premium<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>\u20b91,080<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>\u20b970<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"368\">\r\n<p>~6.48%<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Buy at Discount<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>\u20b9950<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>\u20b970<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td width=\"368\">\r\n<p>~7.37%<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p><strong><b>Example:<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>If you buy a REC bond at \u20b91,080, your yield drops below the coupon because you paid extra.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If you buy at \u20b9950, your yield rises since you paid less for the same coupon. Note: the yields in the table are current yields (coupon \u00f7 price). The YTM moves even further in the same direction, because the \u20b980 premium is lost at maturity (pushing YTM below 6.48%), while the \u20b950 discount is gained at maturity (pushing YTM above 7.37%).<\/p>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><b><\/b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-77904 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Credit-Risk-Funds.png\" alt=\"Credit Risk Funds\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Credit-Risk-Funds.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Credit-Risk-Funds-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Credit-Risk-Funds-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Credit-Risk-Funds-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Credit-Risk-Funds-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Credit-Risk-Funds-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Credit-Risk-Funds-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Credit-Risk-Funds-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/h2>\r\n<p>Credit Risk Funds are the adrenaline junkies of the debt world. Their mandate is to invest at least 65% in lower-rated corporate bonds (AA and below, excluding AA+). These bonds pay higher interest because the issuers are riskier. The fund manager\u2019s bet is that the company will not default and may even improve its credit rating over time. If that happens, the bond price rises, boosting the fund\u2019s NAV along with the coupon income.<\/p>\r\n<p>Picture a landlord renting out property to a tenant with a shaky financial history. The tenant agrees to pay double the rent to compensate for the risk. If the tenant stabilizes his income, the landlord benefits both from the high rent and from the improved reputation of the property. But if the tenant defaults, the landlord suffers a heavy loss. That\u2019s exactly how credit risk funds operate.<\/p>\r\n<p>The danger lies in concentration. Even within SEBI\u2019s single-issuer limits (lower for lower-rated papers), some funds allocate large chunks to a single company. If that company defaults, the NAV can collapse overnight. For retail investors, this risk is unnecessary. Most personal financial goals\u2014retirement, education, home purchase\u2014can be achieved with safer debt categories. Credit Risk Funds are better left to institutional players who can absorb shocks. For individuals, avoiding them is the wiser choice.<\/p>\r\n<p>High ratings are no guarantee either. DHFL was rated AAA until early 2019, was downgraded as its troubles grew and defaulted in June 2019. The losses hit many debt schemes, not only credit risk funds, which is why every debt investor should check the quality of the papers in a portfolio.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><b>Credit Risk Funds<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Aspect<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Explanation<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Example<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Mandate<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>At least 65% in bonds rated AA &amp; below (excluding AA+).<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Nippon India Credit Risk Fund (formerly Reliance Credit Risk Fund).<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>High Yield<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Lower-rated issuers pay higher interest.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Bonds of stressed issuers such as DHFL traded at high yields before default.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Concentration Danger<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Large exposure to one issuer magnifies risk.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>DHFL default in 2019 caused sharp NAV markdowns.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Suitability<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Better for institutions, not retail investors.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Affected schemes suffered sharp losses and side-pocketing.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide04' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Accrued-Interest' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>15.4 .<\/strong><strong><b>Accrued Interest<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-77929 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Accrued-Interest.png\" alt=\"Accrued Interest\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Accrued-Interest.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Accrued-Interest-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Accrued-Interest-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Accrued-Interest-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Accrued-Interest-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Accrued-Interest-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Accrued-Interest-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Accrued-Interest-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>Now let\u2019s talk about accrued interest. Suppose a bond pays its annual coupon every 1st January. If you buy the bond in July, the seller has already held it for six months and earned half the year\u2019s interest. To be fair, you compensate the seller for that portion by paying a slightly higher price, which includes accrued interest. When January arrives, you\u2019ll receive the full coupon, even though you only held the bond for half the year. This adjustment ensures fairness between buyer and seller.<\/p>\r\n<p>In bond markets, the settlement price\u00a0(the amount you pay) includes accrued interest and is called the \u201cdirty price.\u201d The price excluding accrued interest is the \u201cclean price.\u201d For example, if the clean price is \u20b91,020 and six months of accrued interest on a 7% coupon is \u20b935, the dirty price you pay is \u20b91,055. This mechanism ensures that the seller is paid interest for the period they held the bond, and the buyer earns interest only for the period they hold it.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><b>Accrued Interest<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Term<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Meaning<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Example<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Clean Price<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Price excluding accrued interest.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>\u20b91,020<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Accrued Interest<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Interest earned by seller till date.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>\u20b935<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td>\r\n<p><strong><b>Dirty Price<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>Settlement price (Clean + Accrued).<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td>\r\n<p>\u20b91,055<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<p><strong><b>Example:<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>A bond pays coupon every 1st January.<\/li>\r\n<li>You buy in July \u2192 seller already earned 6 months\u2019 interest.<\/li>\r\n<li>You pay <strong><b>dirty price <\/b><\/strong>(includes accrued interest).<\/li>\r\n<li>In January, you still receive full coupon (\u20b970).<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide05' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>15.5 .<\/strong><strong><b>Should you invest in bonds?<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-77930 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds.png\" alt=\"Should You Invest in Bonds\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds-50x50.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/Should-You-Invest-in-Bonds-96x96.png 96w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p>Many investors lean heavily toward equities because of their growth potential. But market shocks\u2014like the sudden crash during the pandemic\u2014remind us that diversification is essential. When stock indices fell sharply, even many long-term SIPs briefly showed negative returns, leaving equity only investors exposed. Bonds, gold, and fixed deposits act as stabilizers in such times. They may not deliver spectacular returns, but they provide safety and predictable income.<\/p>\r\n<p>Today, you can build a portfolio using a mix of assets: equities for growth, mutual funds for diversification, bonds for stability, gold for inflation protection, and fixed deposits for liquidity. The right blend depends on your goals\u2014whether it\u2019s wealth creation, retirement planning, or capital preservation. Bonds deserve a place in that mix because they balance risk and return, ensuring your portfolio doesn\u2019t crumble during market downturns.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><b>Should You Invest in Bonds?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<p>Bonds stabilize portfolios during equity downturns.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong><b>Examples of Diversification:<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Equities<\/b><\/strong>: Growth (Infosys, Reliance shares).<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Bonds<\/b><\/strong>: Stability (PFC, NHAI tax-free bonds).<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Gold<\/b><\/strong>: Inflation hedge.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>FDs<\/b><\/strong>: Liquidity.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>During the COVID-19 crash (February\u2013March 2020), the Nifty 50 and Sensex fell about 38% from their January 2020 peaks. High-quality bonds and gilt funds cushioned portfolios, proving their stabilizing role.<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<div id='text_slider_slide06' class='sa_hover_container' data-hash='Key-Takeaways' style='padding:4.9% 5%; margin:0px 0%; background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height:405px; '><h2 style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>15.6.<\/strong><strong><b>Key takeaways<\/b><\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-76118 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4.png\" alt=\"Key Takeaways\" width=\"444\" height=\"418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4.png 444w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4-300x282.png 300w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4-50x47.png 50w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4-100x94.png 100w, https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Key-Takeaways-4-150x141.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 444px) 100vw, 444px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Tax-free bonds <\/b><\/strong>provide interest income exempt from tax (no new issues since 2015\u201316; they are available only in the secondary market).<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>PSU bonds <\/b><\/strong>generally carry low credit risk because of government ownership, though most are not explicitly government-guaranteed.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Coupon rate <\/b><\/strong>is fixed on face value, but actual returns depend on purchase price.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Yield to Maturity <\/b><\/strong>reflects the true return considering both coupon and redemption value.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Accrued interest <\/b><\/strong>ensures fairness between buyer and seller during coupon cycles.<\/li>\r\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Diversification <\/b><\/strong>with bonds and other assets protects against equity market shocks.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script type='text\/javascript'>\n\tjQuery(document).ready(function() {\n\t\tjQuery('#text_slider').owlCarousel({\n\t\t\titems : 1,\n\t\t\tsmartSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tautoplay : false,\n\t\t\tautoplayHoverPause : false,\n\t\t\tsmartSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tfluidSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tautoplaySpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tnavSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tdotsSpeed : 400,\n\t\t\tdotsEach : 1,\n\t\t\tloop : false,\n\t\t\tnav : true,\n\t\t\tnavText : ['Previous','Next'],\n\t\t\tdots : true,\n\t\t\tresponsiveRefreshRate : 200,\n\t\t\tslideBy : 1,\n\t\t\tmergeFit : true,\n\t\t\tautoHeight : true,\n\t\t\tmouseDrag : false,\n\t\t\ttouchDrag : true\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('#text_slider').css('visibility', 'visible');\n\t\tvar owl_goto = jQuery('#text_slider');\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto1').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 0);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto2').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 1);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto3').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 2);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto4').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 3);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto5').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 4);\n\t\t});\n\t\tjQuery('.text_slider_goto6').click(function(event){\n\t\t\towl_goto.trigger('to.owl.carousel', 5);\n\t\t});\n\t\tvar resize_77925 = jQuery('.owl-carousel');\n\t\tresize_77925.on('initialized.owl.carousel', function(e) {\n\t\t\tif (typeof(Event) === 'function') {\n\t\t\t\twindow.dispatchEvent(new Event('resize'));\n\t\t\t} else {\n\t\t\t\tvar evt = window.document.createEvent('UIEvents');\n\t\t\t\tevt.initUIEvent('resize', true, false, window, 0);\n\t\t\t\twindow.dispatchEvent(evt);\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t});\n\t});\n<\/script>\n<\/p>                    <\/div>\n\t\t        \n                    <div id=\"videos-tab\" class=\"clearfix eael-tab-content-item \" data-title-link=\"videos-tab\">\n\t\t\t\t        <p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/coming-soon-person-g8026473a8_1920-removebg-preview.png\" \/><\/p>                    <\/div>\n\t\t                    <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Study Slides Videos 24.1 Blueprint for Portfolio Construction Achieving long-term financial independence requires transforming personal financial goals into actionable investment strategies. Mutual funds serve as the ideal vehicle for retail investors, bridging personal targets\u2014such as building a \u20b940 lakh higher education fund over a 15-year horizon\u2014with professional market management. Constructing a goal-aligned portfolio relies on &#8230; <a title=\"How to Analyse Equity Mutual Funds\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/course\/financial-planning-through-mutual-funds-course\/how-to-analyse-equity-mutual-funds\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about How to Analyse Equity Mutual Funds\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":11088,"menu_order":14,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"class_list":["post-78087","markets","type-markets","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/markets\/78087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/markets"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/markets"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78087"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/markets\/78087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":78142,"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/markets\/78087\/revisions\/78142"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/markets\/11088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.5paisa.com\/finschool\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}