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Floater Fund


Floater funds are a type of debt mutual fund designed to adjust with changing interest rates in the market. These funds primarily invest in floating-rate debt instruments, making them an attractive option for investors Read more..looking to benefit from fluctuations in interest rates. Unlike fixed-income funds that offer a predetermined interest rate, floater funds provide returns that vary according to market conditions. They are particularly useful in a rising interest rate environment, as they help mitigate duration risk while offering potential capital appreciation. Read less

Floater Fund List

Name
AUM
1Y Returns

ICICI Pru Floating Interest Fund-Regular (G)

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹7456.75 cr. 8.67%

ICICI Pru Floating Interest Fund-Regular(IDCWOthr) - Reinvestment

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹7456.75 cr. 8.67%

ICICI Pru Floating Interest Fund-Regular (IDCW-W)

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹7456.75 cr. 12.88%

ICICI Pru Floating Interest Fund-Regular (IDCW-D)

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹7456.75 cr. 8.66%

ICICI Pru Floating Interest Fund-Regular (IDCW-W)

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹7456.75 cr. 12.88%

ICICI Pru Floating Interest Fund-Regular(IDCWOthr)

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹7456.75 cr. 8.67%

Tata Floating Rate Fund-Regular (IDCW-Periodic) RI - Reinvestment

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹115.51 cr. 9.38%

Tata Floating Rate Fund-Regular (IDCW-M) RI

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹115.51 cr. 9.38%

Tata Floating Rate Fund-Regular (IDCW-Q) RI

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹115.51 cr. 9.38%

Tata Floating Rate Fund-Regular (IDCW-M) RI - Reinvestment

Debt|Floater Fund

Buy

₹115.51 cr. 9.38%
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What is a Floater Fund?

A Floater Fund is a type of debt mutual fund that primarily invests in floating-rate debt instruments. These funds allocate a significant portion of their corpus—at least 65%—to securities that have variable interest rates, such as corporate bonds and other similar debt instruments. Unlike fixed-rate bonds, the interest rates of these instruments fluctuate based on prevailing market conditions, allowing investors to benefit from changes in interest rates. Floater Funds are particularly attractive in a rising interest rate environment, as they provide better returns compared to traditional fixed-income investments.
 

How does Floater Fund work?

Floater Funds operate by investing in debt instruments that have adjustable interest rates, meaning their returns move in tandem with market fluctuations. The interest rates on these instruments are linked to specific benchmarks, such as the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) repo rate, government securities, or Treasury bills. When the RBI increases interest rates, the yields on these floating-rate securities also rise, leading to higher returns for investors. In contrast, when interest rates decline, the returns on Floater Funds adjust accordingly. Fund managers may also use derivative instruments, such as Overnight Index Swaps (OIS), to convert fixed-rate bonds into floating-rate instruments, ensuring flexibility in portfolio management. Floater Funds are an ideal choice for investors looking to hedge against interest rate risks while maintaining stable returns in a fluctuating debt market.
 

What are the Features of Floater Funds?

Floater funds come with distinct characteristics that set them apart from traditional debt funds. Below are the key features explained in detail:

  • Scheme Type - Floater funds are typically open-ended schemes, allowing investors the flexibility to enter and exit at any time. This makes them an attractive option for those who want liquidity and ease of access.
  • Diversification - To qualify as a floating-rate mutual fund, at least 65% of the fund’s assets must be invested in floating-rate debt instruments. The remaining portion can be allocated to fixed-income securities. This mix helps mitigate risk while maximising potential returns.
  • Reduced Risks - Compared to equity funds, floater funds have considerably lower risks. However, they are slightly riskier than fixed-income funds. Choosing high-credit-rated floater funds can help investors minimise credit risk while still earning favourable returns.
  • Investment Tenure - Floater funds cater to different investment horizons through two main types—short-term and long-term. Short-term floater funds invest in instruments such as treasury bills and certificates of deposit, while long-term floater funds focus more on corporate bonds and government securities.
     

Types of Floater Funds

Floater funds are broadly classified into two types based on their investment horizon and underlying securities:

  • Short-Term Floater Funds - These funds invest primarily in short-term debt securities, such as treasury bills, certificates of deposit, and other government-backed instruments with maturities of less than one year. They offer stability and liquidity, making them ideal for conservative investors who seek minimal risk.
  • Long-Term Floater Funds - These funds allocate a significant portion of their portfolio to floating-rate corporate bonds, government securities, and debentures. They are designed for investors with a longer investment horizon who can withstand moderate interest rate fluctuations in pursuit of higher returns.


Investors should carefully assess their risk tolerance and financial goals before selecting a floater fund.
 

Who Should Invest in Floater Funds?

Floater funds are a suitable investment option for individuals looking for a balance between risk and returns. These funds primarily invest in floating-rate debt instruments, making them less risky than equity investments while offering better returns than traditional fixed-income securities.
 

Key investor profiles for floater funds include:

  • Conservative Investors - Those who prefer relatively stable returns with lower risk compared to equity investments. Floater funds provide a cushion against market volatility while generating returns based on changing interest rates.
  • Investors Seeking Portfolio Diversification - If you have a significant portion of your investments in equities, floater funds can help mitigate risk by adding debt instruments that adjust to interest rate fluctuations.
  • Investors Looking to Benefit from Rising Interest Rates - Floater funds tend to perform well in a rising interest rate environment. If the economy is experiencing an upward trend in interest rates, these funds can offer higher yields.
  • Short to Medium-Term Investors - Individuals who wish to park their funds for a short to medium duration can consider floater funds, as they offer better liquidity and returns than traditional fixed deposits.
  • Those Seeking Tax Efficiency - Investors in higher tax brackets may find floater funds more tax-efficient than traditional fixed-income options due to indexation benefits on long-term capital gains.


Before investing, it is advisable to assess the credit rating of the underlying securities within the floater fund and ensure that it aligns with your financial goals and risk appetite.
 

How to Invest in Floater Funds?

Investing in floater funds is a straightforward process, and investors can conveniently access these funds through Bajaj Broking. Follow these steps to invest:

Step 1: Open a Bajaj Broking Account

  • If you don’t already have a Demat and trading account with Bajaj Broking, start by opening one.
  • Complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) process by submitting the necessary documents such as PAN card, Aadhaar, and bank details.
     

Step 2: Research and Select the Right Floater Fund

  • Browse through the available floater funds in the mutual fund section on Bajaj Broking’s platform.
  • Compare funds based on their historical performance, risk level, credit ratings, and expense ratio.
  • Evaluate the impact of market conditions and interest rate trends on the fund’s potential returns.
     

Step 3: Choose the Investment Mode

  • Decide whether you want to invest through a lump sum or opt for a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). However, note that floater funds typically do not offer SIP options.
  • If investing a lump sum, choose an amount that aligns with your financial plan and market timing strategies.
     

Step 4: Make the Investment

  • Enter the investment amount and select your preferred payment method.
  • Review all the details carefully before confirming the transaction.
     

Step 5: Track and Manage Your Investment

  • Regularly monitor the Net Asset Value (NAV) and performance of your floater fund.
  • Stay updated with changes in interest rates and market trends to adjust your portfolio if needed.
  • Consider periodic reviews to ensure the investment continues to align with your financial goals.
     

Advantages of Investing in Floater Funds

Investing in floater funds offers several advantages, particularly for those seeking stable returns with lower interest rate risks. Here are some key benefits:

  1. Low-Risk Investment - Floater funds are suitable for investors who prefer lower-risk investments compared to equity funds. Since these funds primarily invest in debt securities with floating interest rates, they offer stability while reducing the risk associated with market volatility.
  2. Hedge Against Interest Rate Fluctuations - One of the key advantages of floater funds is their ability to adjust returns based on changing interest rates. Unlike fixed-income securities, which may lose value when interest rates rise, floater funds benefit from increasing rates, making them an ideal choice during a rising interest rate environment.
  3. Higher Returns Potential - Since floater funds invest a significant portion in floating-rate instruments, they have the potential to generate better returns compared to traditional fixed-income securities. Investors can take advantage of higher yields when interest rates trend upward.
  4. Diversification Benefits - Floater funds allocate at least 65% of their assets in floating-rate debt instruments, while the remaining portion is invested in fixed-income securities. This mixed allocation helps spread risk and enhances portfolio diversification, making it a prudent choice for investors looking to balance their asset allocation.
  5. Open-Ended Structure - Most floater funds operate as open-ended schemes, meaning investors can enter or exit these funds at any time based on their financial needs. However, these funds typically do not offer a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) option, requiring investors to make lump sum investments.
  6. Tax Efficiency with Indexation Benefits - For investments held for more than three years, floater funds offer indexation benefits, reducing tax liability on long-term capital gains. This makes them a tax-efficient option for investors looking for long-term wealth accumulation.
     

Risks Involved in Floater Funds

Interest Rate Risk - Floater funds perform well when interest rates rise, but if rates fall, the returns from these funds may decline, impacting investors' expected gains.

Credit Risk - The performance of floater funds depends on the credit quality of the underlying debt instruments. If a bond issuer defaults or its credit rating is downgraded, it can negatively impact returns.

Market Liquidity Risk - Since floating-rate bonds constitute a small portion of the total corporate bond market, fund managers may face liquidity constraints, making it challenging to buy or sell securities at favourable prices.

Expense Ratio Impact - Investors should consider the expense ratio of the floater fund, as higher management fees can reduce overall returns. Choosing a fund with a reasonable expense ratio is crucial for maximising gains.

Basis Risk - The interest rate swaps used to manage floater funds may not always align perfectly with the benchmark rate movements, leading to a mismatch in expected returns.

Limited Availability of Floating-Rate Bonds - In the Indian debt market, floating-rate bonds make up a small portion of outstanding corporate bonds. This limited supply may result in fund managers using derivatives like Overnight Index Swaps (OIS) to synthetically create floating-rate exposure, introducing additional risks.

Impact of Government Policies - Floater funds are directly influenced by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) repo rate changes and government fiscal policies. Any unexpected policy shift can impact the returns generated by these funds.

Floater funds remain a preferred choice for investors looking to hedge against rising interest rates while maintaining portfolio stability. Before investing, individuals should assess their financial goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions to make an informed decision.
 

Factors To Consider Before Investing in Floater Funds

  1. Limited Supply of Floating-Rate Bonds - Floating-rate bonds form a small portion of the Indian debt market, making up only about 5% of the total outstanding corporate bond issuances. Due to this limited availability, fund managers often use derivative instruments such as Overnight Index Swaps (OIS) to convert fixed-rate bonds into floating-rate instruments. This approach helps meet regulatory requirements and maintain the fund’s floating nature.

  2. Fund Benchmark and Strategy - The profitability of floater funds depends on changes in benchmark interest rates. Short-term interest rates, such as those represented by MIBOR (Mumbai Interbank Offered Rate), tend to be more stable than Treasury bill (T-bill) and Government securities (G-sec) rates, which are influenced by market sentiments. Additionally, there is a basis risk, meaning that the interest rate swap may not fully offset fluctuations in the yield of the underlying bond.

  3. Rate Uncertainty - The Indian economy has experienced historically low interest rates, with the 10-year benchmark G-sec yield standing at around 6.3% per annum. Given the gradual post-pandemic recovery, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is unlikely to increase rates aggressively. However, a growing fiscal deficit could lead to higher inflation, potentially pushing interest rates upward. Investors should carefully evaluate economic conditions before investing in floater funds.

     

Taxability of Floater Funds

Floater funds fall under the debt mutual funds category, and their taxation is similar to that of other debt funds. The tax treatment depends on the holding period of the investment:

Type of Capital Gain

Holding Period

Tax Rate

Short-Term Capital Gain

Less than 36 months

Taxed as per the investor’s income tax slab

Long-Term Capital Gain

36 months or more

20% with indexation benefit


Dividend Taxation

Dividends earned from floater fund investments are added to the investor’s taxable income and taxed according to their income tax slab. Additionally, if the dividend amount exceeds ₹5,000 in a financial year, a 10% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS) is applied to the excess amount.

 

Popular Floater Funds in India

Floater funds are a popular choice for investors looking to benefit from fluctuating interest rates while maintaining liquidity. Below is a comparison of the top five floater funds in India based on their Assets Under Management (AUM), Expense Ratio, Yield to Maturity (YTM), and past returns.

Name of the Fund

AUM (₹ Cr)

Expense Ratio

Average YTM

Category YTM

CAGR 3Y

CAGR 5Y

HDFC Floating Rate Debt Fund

14,929.39

0.26%

7.80%

7.70%

7.15%

6.98%

Aditya Birla SL Floating Rate Fund

13,287.06

0.23%

7.72%

7.70%

7.03%

6.66%

ICICI Pru Floating Interest Fund

7,776.88

0.55%

7.98%

7.70%

7.48%

7.31%

Nippon India Floating Rate Fund

7,580.55

0.31%

7.81%

7.70%

6.82%

7.14%

Kotak Floating Rate Fund

3,577.76

0.25%

7.85%

7.70%

6.81%

7.28%


HDFC Floating Rate Debt Fund

This fund has the highest AUM at ₹14,929.39 crore and an expense ratio of 0.26%. It offers an average YTM of 7.80%, slightly above the category YTM of 7.70%. With a 3-year CAGR of 7.15%, it ranks third among the funds listed, while its 5-year CAGR of 6.98% is the lowest among the top five.

Aditya Birla SL Floating Rate Fund

With an AUM of ₹13,287.06 crore, this fund has the lowest expense ratio at 0.23%. Its average YTM is 7.72%, in line with the category average. The fund has delivered a 3-year CAGR of 7.03%, ranking fourth, while its 5-year CAGR of 6.66% is the lowest in the group.

ICICI Pru Floating Interest Fund

This fund has an AUM of ₹7,776.88 crore and the highest expense ratio among the top five at 0.55%. It boasts the highest average YTM at 7.98%, well above the category YTM of 7.70%. It also leads in 3-year returns, with a CAGR of 7.48%, and holds the second position in 5-year performance with a CAGR of 7.31%.

Nippon India Floating Rate Fund

With an AUM of ₹7,580.55 crore and an expense ratio of 0.31%, this fund has an average YTM of 7.81%. It ranks fifth in 3-year CAGR at 6.82% and fourth in 5-year CAGR at 7.14%.

Kotak Floating Rate Fund

This fund has the lowest AUM among the five, at ₹3,577.76 crore, and an expense ratio of 0.25%. With an average YTM of 7.85%, it exceeds the category YTM of 7.70%. It ranks fifth in 3-year performance with a CAGR of 6.81%, while its 5-year CAGR of 7.28% is the third highest.
 

Conclusion

Floater funds are a suitable investment option for those looking to mitigate interest rate risks while earning returns aligned with fluctuating market rates. These funds invest in floating-rate instruments, offering a balance between stability and potential yield growth. However, investors should consider factors such as expense ratios, past performance, and benchmark strategy before making a decision.

For investors looking to explore floater funds as part of their portfolio, Bajaj Broking offers a seamless platform to research, compare, and invest in the most suitable mutual funds based on financial goals and risk appetite.
 

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