Focus: FAQ on SIP

FAQ on SIP
 
FAQ on SIP
 
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?
 
SIP On Daily Weekly Monthly

 

SIP On Daily Weekly 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?
 
Timing the Market
Timing the Market
 
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?
 
Missing or Additional SIPs

 

Missing or Additional SIPs
 

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?
 
Compounding Effect with SIP

 

 
Compounding Effect with SIP
 
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.
 
Compounding Effect with Lumpsum

 

Compounding Effect with Lumpsum
 
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

 
1992 - Harshad Mehta Effect

 

 
 
1992 – Harshad Mehta Effect
 
 

2000 – Dotcom Bubble

 
202 - Dotcom Bubble

 

 
 
202 – Dotcom Bubble
 
 

2008 – Global Financial Crisis

 
2008 - Global Financial Crisis

 

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)
 
 
Investments Across Multiple Asset Classes

 

 
 
Investments Across Multiple Asset Classes

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?
 
Normal Vs Step up SIP

 

Normal Vs Step up 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?
 
Recency Bias

 

Recency Bias
 
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.

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