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    Best mutual funds to invest in the Covid scenario

    Synopsis

    If you have any mutual fund queries, message ET Mutual Funds on Facebook. We will get it answered by our panel of experts.

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    Which is the best mutual fund in these Covid times? I have a low risk appetite. I want higher returns. I am ready to invest for one to two years.
    - Hitesh Bhateja


    Do not waste your time chasing the best mutual funds. The best mutual fund in some list may not be the best for you. The best mutual funds for you always depends on your goals, investment horizon and risk profile. In the post-Covid pandemic scenario, you need to be extra cautious, but broadly the definition of the best fund remains the same.

    For example, if you are investing for a year two and you have a low risk appetite, your choice is always bank deposit and debt mutual funds. If you are investing for a year, you may invest in ultra short duration funds. If you are investing for two years or more, you may consider investing in short duration funds.

    Best short duration funds

    You should always keep in mind that low-risk investment options will always offer your lower returns. However, that doesn’t mean that you should opt for higher risk options to get higher returns while investing for short periods. Such a strategy could be counterproductive. When you are investing for a short period, your priority should be to protect your capital, not to earn higher returns. If you lose money due to sudden change in the market situation, you would not be able to recoup your losses in a short period. This is the reason why investment advisors ask you to avoid extra risk while investing for a short period.

    However, you can take extra risk and invest in equity mutual funds while investing for long periods because you have the time in hand to wait for the market to correct to make up for your losses.
    ( Originally published on Sep 10, 2020 )
    (If you have any mutual fund queries, message us on ET Mutual Funds on Facebook. We will get it answered by our panel of experts.)
    The Economic Times

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