Latest news with #MintMoneyShots
Mint
07-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Strategic vs tactical asset allocation: Finding the right balance
Growing your wealth by investing is all about finding the correct balance. One of the most important, and perhaps biggest decisions is how you should divide the total corpus you wish to invest into different investment types, be it debt, or equity, or other asset classes like real estate or gold. Experts feel that investing is all about balance, and how you allocate your assets plays a huge role in your success. But, investors need to make a choice between two approaches – strategic asset allocation or tactical asset allocation, depending upon which one aligns better with your overall investment goals. The latest episode of Mint Money Shots, presented by Invesco Mutual Fund, saw Deputy Editor at Mint, Neil Borate, shed light on asset allocation and whether investors should take a strategic approach or a tactical one towards this. Watch the full episode below, Asset allocation is the process of strategically distributing your investment capital across various asset categories. These categories can typically include equities, fixed income, and cash or cash equivalents. Other asset classes can include real estate, commodities, and alternative investments. The specific mix of these assets within your portfolio is not arbitrary – it must carefully be considered based on several key factors that are unique to each investor. These factors can include: Your financial goals such as retirement, down payment for a house, funding children's education funding The time horizon you have to achieve those goals like short-term or long-term Individual risk tolerance (conservative, moderate, aggressive) 'Simply put, asset allocation is how you divide your investments among different asset classes, like stocks, bonds and cash. The right mix depends on your financial goals, time horizon and risk tolerance,' said Borate. 'Strategic asset allocation is like setting the foundation of your financial house. It's a long-term plan where you decide on a fixed asset mix and stick to it, adjusting only when your goals or circumstances change,' Borate added. He explained this with the help of an example. If you are a conservative investor, your strategic asset allocation could comprise of 60 per cent bonds, 30 per cent equities and 10 per cent cash. Once the asset allocation has been established, the investment portfolio needs to be rebalanced periodically to maintain this asset allocation, even if markets fluctuate. The primary goal of strategic asset allocation is to minimise risk over the long term while providing returns that are consistent with the investor's objectives. It lays the emphasis for a disciplined, buy-and-hold approach, which displays resilience through short-term market fluctuations. 'Tactical asset allocation, on the other hand, is more hands-on. It involves making short term adjustments to your portfolio based on market conditions or economic trends with the aim of taking advantage of opportunities. Imagine you notice that tech stocks are expected to perform well in the next 6-12 months, you might temporarily increase your equity allocation from 30-40 per cent to capitalise on that trend, planning to revert to your original allocation once the trend passes. It is a more active strategy, requiring research, timing and sometimes a higher risk tolerance,' Borate said. In summary, strategic allocation is about staying steady through ups and downs, while tactical allocation is about seizing short term opportunities. Which approach is right for you depends upon several factors such as your investing style, risk tolerance, and the time you are willing to spend managing your portfolio. Borate offered some words of advice for investors: 'If you prefer a hands-off approach, strategic allocation might be better. It is ideal for long-term investors who value stability. On the other hand, if you are comfortable taking risks and enjoy following market trends, tactical allocation can help you boost returns, but it requires more attention and effort.' 'Here's the good news. You do not have to choose just one. Many investors use a combination of both. For example, you might stick to strategic planning for 90 per cent of your portfolio and use the remaining 10 per cent to tactically explore high potential opportunities. Whether you choose strategic, tactical or a mix of both, the key is to ensure your asset allocation aligns with your financial goals and risk appetite,' he concluded. Smart investing starts with asset allocation. Wisely dividing your funds across different asset types is a primary factor in reaching your financial objectives. Two main strategies exist. While Strategic allocation is a long-term, steady approach with periodic adjustments, tactical allocation involves actively changing your mix to chase short-term market opportunities. Your preferred style, risk tolerance, and how much you want to manage your investments will determine whether a strategic, tactical, or combined approach is best for you.
Mint
23-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Why you should save tax on education loans
As the academic year comes to a close, senior graders across the nation are finalising their higher education plans, whether they are looking at options to study further within the country or overseas. An important consideration here is the cost of education. For many families, education loans become a crucial tool in bridging the financial gap between the aspiration of students and the paying capacity of parents. However, a crucial aspect that often gets overlooked is the potential for tax savings associated with education loans. The latest episode of Mint Money Shots, presented by Invesco Mutual Fund, saw Deputy Editor at Mint, Neil Borate, decode the tax benefits of study loans. 'The entire interest component of an educational loan is tax deductible. There is no upper limit on this deduction,' he said. This provision offers significant financial relief to borrowers pursuing academic qualifications, both within India and overseas. This benefit extends for a period of eight years, commencing from the year the borrower starts repaying the loan or until the interest is fully paid, whichever occurs earlier. This extended period of tax relief can significantly reduce the overall cost of education. Watch the full episode below, Furthermore, financial institutions typically offer a repayment moratorium on education loans. Borate highlights that banks generally do not commence interest collection until the completion of the degree. Adding to this borrower-friendly approach, a moratorium period, often spanning one year after graduation, is usually provided before the commencement of interest accrual. This deferred repayment schedule eases the immediate financial burden on graduates as they transition into their careers. Another significant financial advantage linked to education loans pertains to the Tax Collected at Source (TCS) rate applicable to foreign remittances for educational purposes. TCS is a tax deducted by the remitting bank during an outward transfer of funds. Furthermore, TCS rate is also lower for an education loan. TCS or Tax Collected at Source is a tax deducted while making a foreign remittance. 'For example, if you transfer ₹ 20 lakh abroad to invest in US stocks, an amount of ₹ 4 lakh, or 20 per cent, is deducted by the bank, and only ₹ 16 lakh will be transferred. This amount can be adjusted against any tax payable by you, but it does affect your cash flow. The money can only come back after you file your return and get a refund,' he explained. 'However, this TCS rate falls to just 0.5 per cent if the purpose of remittance is education and the source of funds is a loan. In the example I gave, the bank will deduct just ₹ 10,000 rather than ₹ 4 lakh,' Borate further said. This substantially lower TCS rate, thereby improving the cash flow for students and their families financing education abroad through loans. In conclusion, education loans not only facilitate access to higher learning but also come with considerable financial benefits, including the tax deductibility of the entire interest paid over an extended period and a significantly reduced TCS rate on foreign remittances for education funded by these loans. These provisions make quality education more accessible and affordable for a wider range of students, whether they are looking for higher education in India or overseas. Full Interest Deduction: The entire interest paid on an education loan is tax deductible for up to eight years, with no upper limit. Global Applicability: This tax benefit applies to education pursued both in India and abroad. Deferred Interest Payment: Banks typically do not charge interest until the degree is completed, often followed by a one-year moratorium. Significantly Lower TCS for Education Loans: Foreign remittances for education funded by a loan attract a TCS rate of only 0.5%, compared to the standard 20% for other remittances above ₹ 7 lakh. First Published: 23 Apr 2025, 12:08 PM IST
