Mutual funds are among the most preferred avenues to invest in by investors. Despite their many benefits, there are also many drawbacks to take into account. Investing in mutual funds doesn’t come without risk, and taking unnecessary risks can result in low or negative returns on your portfolio.
Risks involved in mutual fund investing
No investment is risk-free, and mutual funds are no exception. Navigating the landscape of mutual fund investing requires a keen awareness of the potential pitfalls that can shape the journey. Here are some of the risks that one should be aware of before starting to invest in mutual funds.
Market risk
Just like a roller coaster, the market can be unpredictable. Economic conditions, global events, and overall sentiment are the twists and turns. Understanding how a fund performs in different market conditions is like having a reliable map for the journey.
Credit risk
If a mutual fund invests in bonds or debt instruments, it exposes investors to credit risk. This risk is associated with the issuer’s ability to meet interest and principal repayments. Analyzing the credit quality of the underlying assets is crucial.
Interest rate risk
Mutual funds, especially debt funds have their own waves and fluctuations, influenced by changes in interest rates. The incapacity of the bond issuer or borrower to repay the principal amount owed to the mutual fund or lender is known as credit risk or default risk. Investing in debt funds that purchase fixed-income securities like bonds and debentures exposes you to this risk. For example, when rates rise, the price of bonds decreases which also decreases the value of bonds.
Inflation risk
Inflation is a silent but steady threat to mutual funds. Inflation erodes the purchasing power of your money over time. Mutual funds are not immune to this economic force. If your investments aren’t outpacing inflation, you might find your financial structure slowly washing away. It is essential to assess whether the fund’s historical returns have outpaced inflation.
Concentration risk
It occurs when a significant portion of the fund’s assets is invested in a particular sector or industry. While specialization can potentially lead to high returns, it also amplifies the risk associated with that specific area. Concentration risk is like balancing on a tightrope, too much focus on a specific sector can throw you off balance. Diversification is your safety net, spreading risk without compromising the thrill.
Over-diversification
Excessive diversification can feel like juggling too many balls at once. Finding the right balance is essential. While diversification is a prudent strategy, overdoing it can lead to dilution of returns. Ensuring that your portfolio is diversified enough to spread risk but not to the extent that it hampers potential returns is of utmost importance whilst investing in mutual funds.
Charges
Mutual funds come with expenses such as management fees and operational costs. It also involves costs such as fund manager salaries and market analysts’ fees, unlike direct stock market investments. Additionally, an entry load is incurred at the fund’s initiation. There are also exit load fees if you sell before the lock-in period. All of this presents a potential disadvantage in mutual fund investments.
Lack of control
Investing in mutual funds means giving up a bit of control. It ultimately results in you surrendering all financial power to the fund managers managing your assets. It might be more helpful as they would have a better understanding of it because of their experience. Trusting the expertise of your fund managers is crucial for healthy investing.
