Simplifying Life Insurance in India
What are Equity Mutual Funds & How it Works?

Mutual funds are one of the preferred investment vehicles for retail investors. Not only do they offer high returns, but they also provide tax benefits. However, the availability of different types of mutual funds often confuses investors. That said, if you are planning to invest in the shares of companies, an equity fund can be the right option.
Wondering what is an equity fund? Read on to learn about it.
Table of Contents
What are Equity Mutual Funds?
Equity Fund is a type of mutual fund scheme that primarily invests in the shares of various companies across market capitalization. With this type of mutual fund, fund managers aim to generate higher returns by spreading investments into different company shares or stocks.
At this point, prospective investors must be thinking about how an equity mutual fund works. Here is the answer -
Investors invest their wealth in such a mutual fund scheme via a lump sum payment or SIP. Thereafter, this sum gets invested in an array of stocks on their behalf by the fund manager.
In addition, as per the regulations of the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI), equity mutual funds must invest a minimum of 65% of the corpus into equity or equity-related instruments.
How Do Equity Mutual Funds Work?
Equity mutual funds mandate investing 65% of their assets in equity shares of different companies. The asset allocation occurs in alignment with the investment objective. Depending on the market condition, the asset allocation can be done in small-cap, large-cap, or mid-cap companies.
Once asset allocation is done in various equity shares, the remaining amount can go into debt or money market instruments. Keeping in mind risk level and sudden redemption request, the fund manager makes buying or selling decisions to match the market movement and reap maximum return.
Different Types of Equity Funds
There are different types of equity funds, each of which offers a unique underlying portfolio with varying levels of risk. These funds can be broadly classified into the following:
Benefits of Investing in Equity Funds
Several features of equity funds can be attractive to potential investors. Discussed below are the benefits of equity mutual funds:
1. Professional Management
Equity funds are managed by experienced fund managers. These individuals conduct thorough market research, analyze the performance of various companies, and invest in high-performing stocks that can guarantee maximum returns.
2. Portfolio Diversification
As mentioned earlier, equity funds enable investors to invest in various stocks. Therefore, they can effectively diversify their portfolio, which helps them spread the risk of equity investments across various instruments.
3. Easy Investment TooI
Investment through the Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) method enables investors to invest weekly, biweekly, monthly, or quarterly with a minimum amount of ₹500. The low investment amount allows investors to try their hand at equity-based investments.
Who Should Invest in Equity Funds?
How to Invest in Equity Funds?
Investors wondering how to invest in equity funds in India can choose any of the following investment processes:
- Lumpsum Investment: In lump sum equity fund investment, investors pay the entire investment amount in a single payment.
- Investment via SIP: In Systematic Investment Planning or SIP, investors pay a small amount at regular intervals for a pre-set tenure.
Factors to Consider Before Investing in Equity Funds
There are certain points that investors must consider before investing in an Equity mutual fund.
1. Investment Objective
Before investing in an equity mutual fund, investors must assess their requirements and the relevance of the scheme. It is the investment objective that helps to decide the level and type of return in the fund and the risk associated with it.
2. Risk Reward Ratio
Risk Reward Ratio (RRR) is the return that investors earn against the money they have risked and invested in the market. This ratio helps to assess the maximum return an investor can receive and the maximum risk they have to take. Here, investors must align RRR with their investment risk tolerance.
3. Returns and Past Performance
Funds that have offered consistent annual performance or have effectively beaten the index are usually the first preferences of investors.
4. Time Horizon
The investment time horizon plays a significant role in deciding the level of risk an investor is willing to take. Investors who have an investment horizon exceeding five years can find equity funds a best bet.
5. Expense Ratio
The expense ratio is another important factor that investors must consider. The expense ratio is a fee that every fund house levies for managing the fund. It increases the total investment cost, hence, investors must have a clear knowledge of this.
6. Experience of Fund Manager
Having knowledge about the qualifications and past performance of a fund manager is important as you will be trusting your hard-earned money with somebody else. An ideal fund manager must have a stable and reliable fund management policy and philosophy.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or legal advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date content, we do not guarantee the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information for your specific needs.
We do not promote or endorse any financial product or service mentioned in these articles. Readers are advised to conduct their own research, consult with financial experts, and make informed decisions based on their unique financial circumstances. Any reliance you place on the information provided here is strictly at your own risk.
FAQs about Equity Funds
How are equity mutual funds taxed in India?
Who regulates equity funds in India?
Who should ideally invest in an equity fund?
What is an equity mutual fund?
What are the types of equity funds?
The following are the different types of equity mutual funds:
- Small-cap Funds
- Mid-cap Funds
- Large-cap Funds
- Multi-cap Funds
- Thematic Equity Funds
- ELSS Funds
Who should invest in equity mutual funds?
Other Important Articles about Mutual Funds
Disclaimer
- This is an informative article provided on 'as is' basis for awareness purpose only and not intended as a professional advice. The content of the article is derived from various open sources across the Internet. Digit Life Insurance is not promoting or recommending any aspect in the article or its correctness. Please verify the information and your requirement before taking any decisions.
- All the figures reflected in the article are for illustrative purposes. The premium for Coverage that one buys depends on various factors including customer requirements, eligibility, age, demography, insurance provider, product, coverage amount, term and other factors
- Tax Benefits, if applicable depend on the Tax Regime opted by the individual and the applicable tax provision. Please consult your Tax consultant before making any decision.
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