1. High Returns

The best SIPs in equity or international mutual funds have the potential to compound. This can help investors accumulate a large sum of money in the future. These funds have been known to generate close to 10-18% returns over 5+ years.

For example, here’s a hypothetical example of what could happen if you invested ₹10,000 per month each in an equity (@12%) or an international fund (@1

1. High Returns

The best SIPs in equity or international mutual funds have the potential to compound. This can help investors accumulate a large sum of money in the future. These funds have been known to generate close to 10-18% returns over 5+ years.

For example, here’s a hypothetical example of what could happen if you invested ₹10,000 per month each in an equity (@12%) or an international fund (@15%) for 10+ years. 

2. Rupee Cost Averaging

Rupee cost averaging ensures you buy: 

• More shares when the markets are down
• Fewer shares when the markets are up
  

This will average out the impact of short term fluctuations and save you from the hassle of choosing the right time to invest. Here’s a hypothetical example of rupee cost averaging at work in SIPs Vs lump sum:

3. Affordable

A SIP is affordable because you don’t have to invest a large sum of money or lump sum. Instead, you invest a small amount of money, as low as ₹1000, every month or quarter.

1. Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund

You can access the stock of some of the biggest companies and industry leaders in India like Infosys, HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, TCS, and others by investing in Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund. 

These companies are known as “large-cap” because of their stellar market capitalisation. In fact, more than 80% of Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund’s portfolio includes the shares of the top 100 Indian companies.

• Type: Large-cap fund
• 1-year returns: 29.10%
• 3-year returns: 19.14%
• 5-year returns: 17.88%

Here’s a snapshot of the top stocks held by Mirae Asset Large Cap Fund.

2. Canara Robeco Emerging Equities Fund

Canara Robeco Emerging Equities Fund essentially invests in large-cap and mid-cap companies that have the potential to become sector leaders in the future. This includes the likes of Axis Bank and Max Healthcare. 

Furthermore, the fund managers are known to invest in high-quality companies instead of following the crowd and chasing short term profits. Over 50% of the fund’s portfolio is large-cap oriented. 

• Type: Large & mid-cap fund
• 1-year returns: 37.58%
• 3-year returns: 23.82%
• 5-year returns: 20.39%

Here’s a snapshot of the top stocks held by Canara Robeco Emerging Equities Fund.

3. Axis Focused 25 Fund

You can access 25 of the best stocks in total from the large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap categories by investing in Axis Focused 25 Fund. It’s a focused fund that can invest in up to 25 stocks, as the name suggests. 

The aim of the fund is to generate long term returns with highly diversified stocks from different sectors like Info Edge, Avenue Supermarts, Pidilite Industries, and others.   

• Type: Flexi-cap (focused) fund
• 1-year returns: 24.95%
• 3-year returns: 21.08%
• 5-year returns: 20.43%

Here’s a snapshot of the top stocks held by Axis Focused 25 Fund.

1. IDFC Banking & PSU Debt Fund

Starting a SIP in the IDFC Banking & PSU Debt Fund will allow you to access high-rated (AAA) bonds, certificates of deposit (CDs), commercial paper (CP), and other debt securities issued by PSUs and banks. 

• Type: Banking & PSU fund
• 1-year returns: 3.37%
• 3-year returns: 8.48%
• 5-year returns: 7.62%

Here’s a snapshot of the top debt securities held by IDFC Banking & PSU Debt Fund.

2. ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund

There are debt funds that invest in bonds issued by large corporations. ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund is one of these debt funds. It primarily invests in corporate bonds rated AA or above. 

The average SIP return in the last 10 years produced by ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund is more than 8%, which is far better than most bank FDs and savings accounts.  

• Type: Corporate bond fund
• 1-year returns: 8.11%
• 3-year returns: 7.33%
• 5-year returns: 7.93%

Here’s a snapshot of the top debt securities held by ICICI Prudential Corporate Bond Fund.

3. HDFC Money Market Fund

You can access high-rated bonds, T-bills, commercial paper, and other money market securities that mature in up to 1 year by investing in the HDFC Money Market Fund. 

The average returns of this mutual fund in the past 10 years has been approximately 7.70%, which is better than most bank FDs. 

• Type: Money market fund
• 1-year returns: 3.78%
• 3-year returns: 6.10%
• 5-year returns: 6.43%

Here’s a snapshot of the top debt securities held by HDFC Money Market Fund.

1. Edelweiss Greater China Equity Off-shore Fund

Edelweiss Greater China Equity Off-shore Fund invests in the JPMorgan Funds - JF Greater China Equity Fund that can give you access to top Chinese stocks Taiwan Semiconductor, Tencent, Alibaba, and more. 

This is a “Fund of Fund” scheme that invests in another mutual fund instead of stocks or bonds. Cube’s advisor Wealth First has picked this as one of the best mutual funds for the long term as of 10-2021.

• Type: Fund of fund
• 1-Year Returns: -8.15%
• 3-Year Returns: 29.46%
• 5-Year Returns: 19.93%

Here’s a snapshot of Edelweiss Greater China Equity Off-shore Fund’s top holding.

2. Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U.S. Opportunities Fund

Certain mutual funds are known to operate in a feeder-master relationship where the feeder fund pools money from investors and invests it in the master fund. 

That’s how Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U.S. Opportunities Fund operates. The master fund, Franklin U.S. Opportunities Fund can give you access to top US stocks like Apple, Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and more.

• Type: Feeder fund
• 1-Year Returns: 17.22%
• 3-Year Returns: 32.75%
• 5-Year Returns: 23.07%

Here’s a snapshot of Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U.S. Opportunities Fund’s top holding.

3. PGIM India Global Equity Opportunities Fund

PGIM India Global Equity Opportunities Fund is a fund of fund scheme that invests in the PGIM Jennison Global Equity Opportunities Fund, which invests in top global stocks like Tesla, Adyen, MercadoLibre, and more.

• Type: Fund of fund
• 1-Year Returns: 7.03%
• 3-Year Returns: 33.59%
• 5-Year Returns: 22.00%

Here’s a snapshot of PGIM India Global Equity Opportunities Fund’s top holding.

1. Nippon India Liquid Fund

You can access relatively better returns than your bank savings account by investing in the Nippon India Liquid Fund. It invests in debt securities that mature in 60-91 days. 

What’s more, Nippon India Liquid Fund is Cube ATM compatible which means that you can instantly withdraw your investment in less than 30 minutes!

• Type: Liquid fund
• 1-Year Returns: 3.23%
• 3-Year Returns: 4.70%
• 5-Year Returns: 5.64%

Here’s a snapshot of the top debt securities held by Nippon India Liquid Fund.

2. Invesco India Liquid Fund

Invesco India Liquid Fund primarily invests in debt securities that mature in up to 3 months. The average SIP return of this fund in the last 10 years has outperformed the average bank savings account.

• Type: Liquid fund
• 1-Year Returns: 3.26%
• 3-Year Returns: 4.57%
• 5-Year Returns: 5.56%

Here’s a snapshot of the top debt securities held by Invesco India Liquid Fund.

3. Kotak Liquid Fund

Investing in the Kotak Liquid Fund means that you can access high liquidity and relatively safe returns compared to equity funds because its portfolio matures in up to 3 months.

• Type: Liquid fund
• 1-Year Returns: 3.24%
• 3-Year Returns: 4.59%
• 5-Year Returns: 5.55%

Here’s a snapshot of the top debt securities held by Kotak Liquid Fund.

1. Are there any specific tax benefits for long-term SIP investments in India? 

Ans. Long-term SIP investments may qualify for tax benefits under Section 80C, 80CCD, and other relevant sections of the Income Tax Act. Consult with a tax advisor for personalized guidance.

2. How often should I review my long-term SIP investments? 

Ans. It's advisable to review your long-term SIP investments annually or semi-annually to ensure they remain aligned with your goals and perform as expected.

3. Can I have multiple SIPs running concurrently for different financial goals? 

Ans. Yes, you can have multiple SIPs running concurrently, each dedicated to different financial goals. This allows for better organization and customization of your investment strategy.

4. What are the benefits of setting up automatic SIPs for long-term investments? 

Ans. Setting up automatic SIPs ensures consistent and disciplined investing. It eliminates the need for manual contributions and helps you take advantage of rupee cost averaging.