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Debt Funds: Your Guide to Investing in Debt Mutual Funds

Debt funds invest in fixed-income securities like bonds and government debt, offering stable returns and lower risk compared to equities. Ideal for preserving capital and generating regular income, these funds come in various types to suit different investment needs.

What is a debt fund

Debt funds are a type of mutual fund that primarily invests in fixed-income securities such as bonds, government securities and corporate debt. Unlike equity funds that invest in stocks, debt funds aim to provide investors with stable returns by investing in assets that offer regular income. These funds are an excellent option for those seeking lower risk and consistent returns in their investment portfolio.
 

Features of debt mutual funds

Debt mutual funds offer several key features that make them a popular choice for investors seeking stable returns:

  • Investment objective: Debt mutual funds aim to generate income by investing in securities that provide regular interest payments, focusing on steady debt funds returns
  • Liquidity: Investors can easily buy and redeem units of debt mutual funds, ensuring quick access to their capital when needed.
  • Diversification: These funds invest in a variety of securities to optimise returns and ensure predictable performance, enhancing the reliability of debt mutual funds returns
  • Credit risk: Certain debt mutual funds, known as credit risk funds, invest in lower-rated corporate bonds to potentially offer higher returns. These funds can be among the best debt mutual funds for higher yield but with increased risk.
  • Taxation: For debt mutual funds purchased on or after 1 April 2023, capital gains are taxed based on the investor’s applicable income tax slab rate.
  • Overnight funds: These funds invest in securities that mature overnight, making them one of the safest options within debt mutual funds and suitable for those seeking minimal risk.
  • Money market funds: Focused on highly liquid, short-term debt instruments, these funds offer low risk and high liquidity, ideal for investors looking at top debt mutual funds for short-term needs.

Advantages of investing in debt funds

Investing in debt mutual funds offers several distinct advantages:

  • Stable returns: debt mutual funds are known for providing stable returns compared to equity funds. They are considered lower risk and less volatile, making them suitable for conservative investors.
  • Regular income: These funds are designed to generate a consistent income stream through interest payments. If you seek regular income, debt mutual funds can be an ideal choice.
  • Liquidity: debt mutual funds offer high liquidity, allowing investors to withdraw money without penalties. This flexibility is beneficial for those needing easy access to their funds.
  • Tax benefits: Long-term gains from debt mutual funds held for more than three years are taxed at 20%, providing tax advantages over short-term investments.
  • Diversification: Debt funds invest in a variety of debt instruments, which helps in spreading risk and optimising returns. This diversification is crucial for mitigating individual security risks.
  • Short-term goals: debt mutual funds can be effective for meeting short-term financial goals, such as purchasing gifts or paying school fees, due to their relatively stable returns and low risk.
     

Risks involved in debt mutual funds

debt mutual funds carry several types of risk that investors should be aware of:

  • Credit risk: This is the risk that the issuer of a security may default on paying interest or principal. This risk is higher for securities with a lower credit rating. debt mutual funds investing in lower-rated bonds may have increased exposure to credit risk.
  • Interest rate risk: Also known as duration risk, this is the risk that the value of a debt fund’s securities will change due to fluctuations in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the value of existing debt securities typically falls, impacting debt funds returns.
  • Liquidity risk: This risk arises when a fund house may not have sufficient liquidity to meet redemption requests. It is more pronounced in debt mutual funds that invest in high-risk bonds or unlisted debt instruments, which may be harder to sell quickly without affecting the price.
  • Inflation risk: This risk involves the potential decrease in the value of assets due to inflation, which erodes the purchasing power of returns. Even the best debt mutual funds can be impacted by inflation, affecting real returns.
  • Taxation: debt mutual funds are taxed based on the holding period. Capital gains from funds held for less than three years are taxed as short-term capital gains, while gains from funds held for more than three years are taxed at a lower rate.


Understanding these risks is crucial for managing expectations and selecting the top debt mutual funds that align with your investment goals.
 

Factors to consider before investing in debt mutual funds

When considering investment in debt mutual funds, it is important to evaluate the following factors:

  • Investment goals: Determine if debt mutual funds align with your investment goals. For higher returns, they might not be the best choice.
  • Risk tolerance: Assess how much risk you are willing to take. debt mutual funds typically offer lower risk but come with their own risks like interest rate and credit risk.
  • Investment horizon: Consider your investment horizon. A longer period may allow you to explore top debt mutual funds with potentially higher returns and risk.
  • Credit quality: Check the credit quality of the securities in the fund. Higher credit quality usually means lower risk but may result in lower returns.
  • Expense ratio: Compare expense ratios of various debt mutual funds. Lower ratios mean more of your returns stay with you.
  • Exit load: Be aware of exit loads or penalties for early withdrawals. These can impact your returns if you redeem early.
  • Liquidity needs: Evaluate how easily you can convert your investment into cash. Most debt mutual funds offer good liquidity, but it varies.
  • Tax implications: Understand the tax implications of debt mutual funds. Different funds have different tax treatments affecting your net returns.
  • Fund history: Review the historical performance of best debt mutual funds. It provides insight into how the fund has performed over time.
  • Fund returns: Consider debt funds returns over various periods to gauge potential future performance.
  • Latest NAV: Take into account the latest Net Asset Value (NAV) to understand the current value of the fund.
  • Fund manager's portfolio performance: Assess the performance of the fund manager’s portfolio. A competent manager can significantly impact the performance of debt mutual funds.


By considering these factors, you can make a more informed decision about investing in debt mutual funds.
 

Taxability of Debt Funds

Understanding the tax implications of debt mutual funds is essential for effective financial planning. Recent changes in taxation laws have significantly impacted how returns from these investments are taxed.

Taxation Rules Prior to April 1, 2023

Before April 1, 2023, the tax treatment for debt mutual funds in India was as follows:

  • Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): If units were held for less than three years, gains were classified as STCG and taxed according to the investor's applicable income tax slab rate.
  • Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): For units held beyond three years, gains were considered LTCG and taxed at 20% with the benefit of indexation, which adjusts the purchase price for inflation, thereby reducing the taxable gains.​
     

Revised Taxation Rules Effective from April 1, 2023

The Finance Act 2023 introduced significant amendments to the taxation of debt mutual funds:​

  • Uniform Tax Treatment: Investments in debt funds made on or after April 1, 2023, are no longer eligible for LTCG benefits. Regardless of the holding period, all gains are treated as STCG and taxed as per the investor's income tax slab rate.
  • Removal of Indexation Benefits: The option to adjust the purchase price for inflation (indexation) has been eliminated for investments made from the specified date, potentially increasing the taxable amount.​
     

Implications for Investors

These changes align the taxation of debt mutual funds more closely with traditional fixed-income instruments like fixed deposits. As a result, the previous tax advantage of debt funds, especially for long-term investors, has been reduced.​

However, debt funds still offer benefits such as potential for higher post-tax returns compared to fixed deposits, especially for investors in lower tax brackets, and no tax deducted at source (TDS) on earnings.​

Considerations for Future Investments

Given the revised tax landscape, investors may need to reassess their investment strategies:​

  • Investment Horizon: Aligning investment choices with financial goals and timeframes is crucial, considering the uniform tax treatment of gains.​
  • Risk Assessment: Evaluating risk tolerance is essential, as debt funds, while generally less volatile than equity funds, are subject to interest rate and credit risks.​
  • Alternative Investment Options: Exploring other avenues, such as hybrid funds with a higher equity component, might offer different risk-reward profiles and tax treatments.


Consulting with financial advisors or experts is recommended for a comprehensive understanding and personalised advice. Bajaj Broking provides resources and services to assist investors in navigating these changes and making informed investment decisions
 

Popular Debt Funds in India

Here is a list of some of the top debt mutual funds in India, ranked by their performance in FY24:

Fund name

Return in FY24

Notes

DSP Credit Risk Fund

15.59%

Strong performance in FY24, suitable for credit risk seekers

SBI Long Duration Fund

10.34%

Stable returns, ideal for long-duration investments

Nippon India Nivesh Lakshya Fund

10%

Long-duration fund with steady performance

DSP Strategic Bond Fund

10.25%

Dynamic bond fund with balanced returns

HDFC Long Duration Debt Fund

Approximately 10.20%

Consistent performer among top debt mutual funds

Disclaimer : Please note that past performance is not indicative of future results. It is advisable to consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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