The three key steps for creating a perfect portfolio – asset allocation, choice of funds, and plan of action to take care of the portfolio. Here are the excerpts of the session.
Asset Allocation
Investors’ timeframe determines their risk appetite and the balanced asset allocation range as well.
Time Frame | Equity% | Debt% | Gold% |
0 to 12 months | 0 | 100 | 0 |
1 to 2 years | 0-10 | 90-100 | 0 |
2 to 3 years | 10-15 | 85-100 | 0 |
3 to 5 years | 15-50 | 50-85 | 0-10 |
5 to 7 years | 40-65 | 35-60 | 0-15 |
7 to 10 years | 50-70 | 30-50 | 0-15 |
> 10 years | 50-80 | 20-50 | 0-15 |
Choice Of Funds
Portfolios of beginners for small investments could comprise 2-4 funds with the least extreme risk funds in equity or debt. With time, it can exceed up to 6-12 funds. The selection of funds may be the function of one’s time frame, risk appetite, and therefore, the role each fund category plays in a very portfolio.
To curtail the Equity portfolio volatility, each fund category is allocated a particular proportion. These volatilities are reflected through their variance supported by 1-year returns rolled daily for the last 3 years. Within equity, the asset mix is influenced by investors’ risk appetites.
Investors’ Risk | Model Allocation |
Moderate: | 40% in large-cap, 20% in large & mid-cap/multi cap, 30% in flexi cap and balance 10% in international funds |
High-Risk Investors: | 50% in Flexi cap, 15% in mid-cap, 15% in small-cap and 20% in international funds |
Certain Debt fund categories should be held for a minimum of a specific period for allowing them to play out through cycles. Investors should diversify short-term debt across AMCs, whether or not answering duplication. However, when it comes to long-term debt like high-quality low credit risk categories like dynamic bonds or corporate bonds, duplication must be avoided. Talking about the inner asset mix, the investor’s time frame plays an important role.
Time Frame | Model Allocation |
3-Years Portfolio with Liquidity | 15% in ultra-short/low duration, 15% in floating rate, 20% in short duration/banking & PSU, 50% in corporate bond/medium duration |
3-Years Portfolio | 15% in floating rate, 35% in brief duration/banking & PSU, 50% in corporate bond/medium duration |
5-Years Portfolio | 10% in floating rate, 30% in short duration/banking & PSU, 50% in corporate bond/medium duration, 10% in gilt/credit risk |
5-Years Portfolio with Liquidity | 10% in ultra-short/low duration, 10% in floating rate, 30% in brief and lower volatility/credit risk-duration/banking & PSU, 50% in corporate bond/medium duration |
Hybrid funds, which are a pre-mix of debt and equity, play a limited role as open-ended funds comprise both asset classes. A plan of action to take care of the portfolios helps to settle between actives and passives. Active funds incorporate active management for annual rebalancing and semi-annual reviews. However, they must not be over-reviewed. On the contrary, passive funds are recommended where regular reviews are difficult. However, they ought to be rebalanced annually.