BAJAJ BROKING
Net Asset Value (NAV) is a basic concept related to mutual funds. Simply put, the net asset value is representative of the per-unit market value of a mutual fund and is also the price at which investors purchase and sell mutual fund units. Unlike shares, mutual funds are sold to investors in terms of units. Gaining a grasp of mutual fund NAV is vital for any investor considering mutual fund investment.
You can calculate the net asset value of a mutual fund by dividing the total net assets in the fund by the amount of outstanding fund units. The total net assets of the fund are the market value of all the fund’s securities, plus cash or any other assets, minus liabilities, if any. At the close of each trading day, the net asset value is calculated and this reflects the closing prices of the securities that the fund’s portfolio contains.
Additional Read: The Role of Mutual Funds in Retirement Planning: Building a Secure Future
Some investors evaluate the performance of a mutual fund based on changes in the mutual fund NAV, studied over a period. An increase in the NAV stands for the fact that the underlying asset value in the mutual fund has risen. Consequently, this is indicative of potentially positive gains. In contrast, if the NAV decreases, negative returns may be implied. Nonetheless, you should note that NAV does not represent capital gains distribution or dividends. These are also important components of a mutual fund’s total returns.
The NAV can also give you clues into the flow of funds in a mutual fund. Let’s say that several investors buy into the mutual fund, creating new units. In such a circumstance, the total assets of the fund increase, and this may result in an increase in the mutual fund NAV. On the other hand, in case investors sell mutual fund units, the total assets will drop, bringing down the NAV.
A common misconception surrounding NAV is that if the NAV is low, the fund is cost-effective and you should invest. This may not be valid and a low NAV may simply indicate that the fund has few assets or is a new fund.
The role of mutual fund NAV varies from one mutual fund to another and changes with different kinds of mutual funds. For instance, if you look at open-ended mutual funds, you will discover that the NAV is relevant as it is reflective of the price at which mutual fund units are purchased and sold. In another instance, for closed-ended mutual funds, traded on exchanges, the fund’s market price can deviate from the NAV, and this leads to opportunities for arbitrage.
All mutual funds and ETFs charge their investors an annual fee. This is the expense ratio of the funds. The expense ratio is subtracted from the net asset value daily. A small fund with a low expense ratio may have a low NAV, and a larger fund may have a high expense ratio.
Since the mutual fund NAV is calculated at the close of every trading day, you cannot purchase or sell mutual fund units at a particular market price within the day. Mutual funds are not like stocks that can be traded within the day, at any time. This is a feature of mutual funds that safeguards investors from market volatility. Nonetheless, it also restricts an investor’s ability to take advantage of price fluctuations throughout the day.
Mutual funds may generate dividends (as many invest in equity). When this happens, the NAV of the mutual fund decreases by the amount of the dividend per unit. This happens as the dividend is paid out from mutual fund assets. Nonetheless, the total value for the investor stays the same because the payment of the dividend is in cash or it may be reinvested in extra units in the mutual fund.
The NAV is a concept that is important in the realm of mutual fund investment. It helps you to understand mutual funds before you invest. It also offers insights into the performance of a fund but is not the only indicator of how well a fund is doing. While assessing the potential of any mutual fund investment, an individual has to consider several factors like the fund manager, the investment strategy of the fund, etc. Furthermore, decisions to ultimately invest in any kind of mutual fund depend on the considerations of the investor and their financial goals and requirements.
Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.
This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.
For All Disclaimers Click Here: https://bit.ly/3Tcsfuc
Share this article:
Network18 Q2 Results: Cons Revenue at ₹1,825 Crores Down 2.22% YoY
12 Oct, 2024 | 3 Min. read
DMart Q2 Results: Revenue from Operations at ₹8,582 Crores, PAT Margin Steady at 5.5%
12 Oct, 2024 | 2 Min. read
Course5 Intelligence IPO Price, Date, Analysis & How to Apply
11 Oct, 2024 | 3 Min. read
Commodities Market Today | Oil Prices Surge, Brent Crude Jumps 3.7%
11 Oct, 2024 | 1 Min. read
Share Market Today | GIFT Nifty Flat, Asian Peers Trade Positive
11 Oct, 2024 | 4 Min. read
Exide Industries Infuses ₹100 Cr into Li-Ion Subsidiary for Bengaluru Plant
11 Oct, 2024 | 2 Min. read
NSE To End Weekly Expiry For Bank Nifty, Fin Nifty, And Midcap
11 Oct, 2024 | 2 Min. read
JSW Steel Partners with BHP, Carbon Clean for Carbon Capture Technology
11 Oct, 2024 | 2 Min. read
Mazagon Dock Secures ₹121.7 Crore AI-Based Project From MAHAGENCO
11 Oct, 2024 | 2 Min. read
Infosys Signs AI-Driven Digital Transformation Deal with Zooplus
11 Oct, 2024 | 2 Min. read
How the Hyundai Motor IPO Could Impact the Auto Industry
11 Oct, 2024 | 4 Min. read
Gold Rate Today | Gold Up 0.9% Amid Rate Cut Expectations
11 Oct, 2024 | 2 Min. read
RBI Launches ULI: Transforming Loan Access
August 27, 2024 | 4 Min. read
Textile Sector in India
September 20, 2024 | 5 Min. read
List of IPOs with DRHPs Filed
November 30, 2023 | 3 Min. read
Aditya Birla Group
September 28, 2023 | 10 Min. read
Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd IPO: Things Smart Investors Need to Know
September 05, 2024 | 4 Min. read
Budget Stock Ideas 2024-2025 | Stocks to Buy Today
July 24, 2024 | 4 Min. read
IPO Eligibility Criteria : Full Details
March 15, 2024 | 6 Min. read
What Is the Lock-In Period in IPOs?
October 18, 2023 | 6 Min. read
Godfrey Phillips Announces 2:1 Bonus Shares
September 16, 2024 | 7 Min. read
Jindal Group- A Comprehensive Analysis
September 27, 2024 | 7 Min. read
Level up your stock market experience: Download the Bajaj Broking App for effortless investing and trading