Let us focus on some of the common questions around SIP (Systematic Investment Plans) Investments in Mutual Funds
Q1) What is the appropriate investment horizon for SIPs?
We analyzed SIP's rolling returns in Nifty 50 over intervals of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years, spanning from July 1990 to September 2023, to determine the optimal investment horizon.
SIP Period | Positive Return % | More than 7% Return | More than 10% Return | More than 12% Return |
3 Years | 82% | 65% | 55% | 48% |
5 Years | 89% | 70% | 55% | 43% |
10 Years | 96% | 86% | 68% | 46% |
15 Years | 100% | 99% | 93% | 69% |
20 Years | 100% | 100% | 99% | 74% |
25 Years | 100% | 100% | 99% | 53% |
Source: ACE MF, Returns are XIRR%
Key Insights
Consistency in Returns: Longer SIP durations increase the certainty of positive returns, reaching 100% for extended periods.
Higher Returns Likelihood: The chance of achieving over 7% returns grows with longer investment horizons, e.g., 65% for 3 years vs. 100% for 10+ years.
Less Risk with Time: Extended SIP durations historically reduce variability in returns in Nifty 50.
10-Year Advantage: A 10-year SIP period markedly improves the chances of returns over 7%, 10%, and 12% compared to 5 years
In essence, longer investments in stock markets enhance return probabilities and consistency.
Q2) Which SIP frequency is optimal – daily, weekly, or monthly?
We analyzed SIP returns for daily, weekly and monthly SIPs starting in the months of September 1993, September 2000, September 2005 and September 2010 until September 2023
Key Insights
There's no discernible difference in returns (XIRR%) across daily, weekly, and monthly SIPs. One should prioritize convenience; the frequency doesn't impact outcomes.
Q3) Are you thinking of timing the market every month?
Key Insight
Many of us try to invest in lows and sell in highs. Theoretically, this is not a bad idea. However, in practice, it is incredibly difficult to time the market.
As we can not time the market, there is a high possibility that we miss good opportunities of lows / miss opportunity to invest itself.
If you really see the data, even if you perfectly time the market, the difference is not much. So it is better to be disciplined.
Q4) What's the impact of missing some SIP instalments?
We compared the effects of occasionally missing instalments against adding extra instalments over a 20-year SIP period.
Key Insight
Missed instalments can substantially decrease the final corpus. In our study, a 12 Lac difference in investment led to a 46 Lac variance in investment value when compared with missing and adding 3 extra instalments each year.
Q5) When does compounding become noticeable in my investment?
Key Insight
Please note after 10 years, your investment value 51% of total value.
At 20 years, investment value is just 24% and return % is 76% of total value.
Key Insight
Please note after 5 years itself, your investment value 56% of total value.
At 20 years, investment value is just 10% and return % is 90% of total value
Q6) Should I halt SIPs during market corrections?
Using 2020 COVID-19 market crash as context, we observed three investors who start SIP in January 2020
Investor | Reaction to Crash | DEC 2020 XXIRR | Dec 2020 Abs Returns |
Aliya | Stopped SIP & Redeemed. | -12% | -6% |
Katrina | Stopped SIP but stayed invested. | 20% | 9% |
Vidya | Continued SIP & Stayed invested. | 51% | 22% |
Source: ACE MF
SIP in Nifty 50 has been considered for return calculation and the balance is bank account.
Key Insight
Vidya, who continued with her SIP despite the market crash reaped the highest returns, once the markets recovered.
Q7) How do SIP Investors fare during major market corrections?
We analyzed returns for SIP investors who began right before the three most substantial market corrections:
1992 - Harshad Mehta Scam
2000 - Dotcom Bubble
2008 - Global Financial Crisis
Key Insight
Despite major market downturns, consistent SIP investments historically rebound and yield long-term growth. Patience during market adversities proves beneficial.
Q8) How does a long-term SIP investment fare if markets dip at the time of redemption?
Consider an investor who began Rs 10,000 per month SIP* long time back and is hit by a hypothetical 50% market correction today.
SIP Start Date | Value as of Oct 2023 | Value after 50% Fall | Value in Deposits |
Sept 2003 | Rs 91,90,774 | Rs 45,95,387 | Rs 45,77,330 |
Sep 1998 | Rs 1,96,49,256 | Rs 98.24.628 | Rs 80,08,951 |
Sep 1993 | Rs 3,09,23,430 | Rs 1,54,61,715 | Rs1,26,35,103 |
Source: AceMF, RBI *Investment considered in Nifty 50
Key Insight
Even if we imagine a significant 50% market correction, long-term Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) have historically outperformed traditional fixed deposits.
It is important to note that markets tend to recover after substantial declines. Therefore, if investors remain patient during these periods, they typically will recover their market value losses.
Q9) What if the Fund I select doesn't perform as expected, considering the wide range of available options?
We compared the least successful fund over the last 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years against bank deposits, assuming a monthly investment of ₹10,000:
SIP Start Date | Invested Amount | Market Value (Oct 2023) | Value in Bank Deposit |
Sep 2018 | Rs 6,00,000 | Rs 7,49,664 | RS 6,89,165 |
Sep 2013 | Rs 12,00,000 | Rs 20,02,309 | Rs 16,41,643 |
Sep 2008 | Rs 18,00,000 | Rs 35,10,859 | Rs 30,76,893 |
Sep 2003 | Rs 24,00,000 | Rs 69,36,092 | Rs 51,09,846 |
Sep1998 | Rs 30,00,000 | RS 1,36,63, 884 | Rs 78,78,381 |
Source: ACE MF, RBI
Note: Analysis includes all equity funds including thematic, sectoral, and passive excluding global.
Key Insight
Even the least successful funds surpassed bank deposit returns over these periods.
Q10) How does SIP in Equity Mutual Funds compare with Gold and Traditional Bank Deposits in the long term?
Value of ₹10,000 per month in Bank Deposit, Gold, Nifty 50 (Equity MF) (INR Lacs as of October 2023)
Key Insight
Historically over the long term in all the above periods SIP has done better than Gold and Bank Deposits
Q11) Is Step-Up SIP better than normal SIP?
Key Insight
With a minimal 1000 rupees step-up, the expected returns grew significantly.
30+ Lakh additional return if the returns are 12% 50+ Lakh additional return if the returns are 15% You can generate more wealth with step-up. WHEN YOU HAVE THE LEVER IN YOUR HAND WHY MISS THE OPPORTUNITY
Q12) SmallCap funds perform well always?
Key Insight
If you notice Small-Cap performance is was the worst performer in the year 2016 and it is in the bottom of the chart. But in 2017 and again bounced back 2020, and 2021, Small-Cap is the best performer.
International funds have best performed in 2013, but worst in 2022.
While the debt instruments and gold give consistent returns, best performance has always been Equity funds
Equities may not delivery every year, but over long term, they deliver best returns.
Please Contact Us to start your mutual funds investment journey today.
Disclaimer: For Illustration purposes only. The past performance of the mutual funds is not necessarily indicative of the future performance of the schemes.
an exceptionally Detailed information I have ever read on SIP. A true master piece!! It is clear and concise and has in depth explanation