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Best Direct Mutual Funds for Investment in 2021

Mutual Funds

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January 26, 2021

Best Direct Mutual Funds for Investment in 2021

Direct Mutual Funds – Mutual Funds companies offer two types of schemes direct mutual funds and regular mutual funds. Regular funds are funds where purchases take place by keeping agents in between. Agent charges commission on the invested amount. Direct mutual funds are funds where investment is allowed directly without any intervention of agents or middlemen. This means you need not pay any commission to invest in direct mutual funds. It is obvious that direct mutual funds are better and offer higher returns as no third person is involved in between.

In this post, we will get more insights about direct mutual funds including the method to invest in direct mutual funds and Best Direct Mutual Funds for Investment in 2021.

What are Direct Mutual Funds?

Direct Mutual Funds are special types of schemes that are offered to the customer directly without any intermediary. Direct mutual funds can be purchased directly from the AMC.

Direct mutual funds provide higher returns than regular funds. This is because a direct fund is bought from the AMC and selected online sites. The expense ratio of a direct mutual fund is slightly lower compared to regular mutual funds.

Key Features of Direct Mutual Funds

Key features of direct mutual funds are given below.

No dependency on third party agents, brokers and professionals for buying mutual funds.
Mutual funds can be directly purchased directly from AMC websites.
Option to purchase online as well as offline.
Expense ratio is lower as commission fee is not involved.
Returns of this plan is higher compared to regular mutual funds.
Separate NAV is declared for the direct mutual funds.

Difference Between Direct Mutual Funds and Regular Mutual Funds

The difference between Direct Mutual funds and Regular Mutual funds are given below.

Direct Mutual Funds	Regular Mutual Funds
Invest without involving distributors or mutual fund brokers	Invest with the help of distributors or mutual fund brokers
Expense ratio lower as compared to regular plans	Expense ratio higher as compared to direct plans
Get higher returns compared to regular plans	Get lower returns compared to direct plans
Investors need to do their own analysis and select top performing mutual fund schemes	Brokers offer guidance and perform all the operational tasks on behalf of the investors
No commission paid to brokers	Hidden commission paid to brokers
NAV of direct plan is relatively higher	NAV of regular plan is relatively lower
Document and KYC needs to be submitted on your own	Advisor will collect KYC and other documents

Best Direct Mutual Funds for Investment in 2021

The list of best direct mutual funds for investment in 2021 is given below.

Note – The returns are as on Jan 2021.

How to Invest in Direct Mutual Funds?

There are two ways to invest in direct mutual funds – Online & Offline.

Online

Fund house website

You can buy direct mutual funds via fund house website. Follow the steps given below.

Step-1 – Register to fund house website. You need to do this for every website individually.

Step -2 – Select old portfolio or register for new portfolio.

Step-3 – Select the scheme, amount and SIP details.

Step -4 – Transfer funds online via Netbanking, UPI or provide payment details.

Step-5 – Once fund transfer is done fund will be purchased and transaction details will be emailed to you.

In this process you need to visit multiple fund house websites. The process given here is time consuming and somewhat tedious. Keeping track is also difficult.

myCAMS

myCAMS is platform that allows an investor to invest in multiple mutual funds. Steps to purchase direct fund online via myCAMS is given below.

Step -1 – Visit www.camsonline.com and click on myCAMS link.

Step-2 – Register for new user id or login in account using existing id.

Step -3 – Select the scheme, amount and SIP details

Step -4 – Select payment method and purchase mutual funds online.

Offline

The steps to invest in direct mutual funds with offline method is given below.

Step 1 – Select the mutual funds in which you want to invest.

Step 2 – Visit the nearest branch of the fund house and submit the offline application.

Step 3 – Select the payment method and pay the amount for buying mutual funds online.

Over to you

If you are a beginner or if you are unable to select a scheme for an investment you should not opt for direct mutual funds.

Do you invest in direct mutual funds?

Do share your views in the comment section.

Bitcoin Price Prediction 2025 and beyond – Should You invest?

Cryptocurrency

Shitanshu Kapadia

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January 23, 2021

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What will the price of Bitcoin be in 2025-26 and beyond? Will Bitcoin go up or go down? Many people are hunting for Bitcoin prices. In this post, we will analyze historical bitcoin prices and share factors that will help you to predict the future trend of bitcoin.

To predict where Bitcoin might head in 2025, we need to look back at its past. Launched in 2009 by an anonymous figure known as Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin was initially an experiment—a digital currency free from governmental control. Early adopters could buy Bitcoin for mere pennies. Fast forward to 2021, and Bitcoin reached an all-time high of nearly $69,000. While this peak didn’t last, the digital asset solidified its status as a store of value and “digital gold.”

Bitcoin’s journey hasn’t been smooth, though. It’s had several bear markets where prices tanked by over 80%, only to rise stronger in subsequent bull runs. Understanding this pattern of extreme volatility is crucial for anyone considering an investment.

As of late 2024, Bitcoin’s price is hovering around $30,000-$40,000 after facing both significant gains and corrections. The crypto market, influenced by factors like global economic conditions, regulations, and technological advancements, continues to be unpredictable. Institutional interest, however, has grown, with more large corporations and financial institutions dipping their toes into crypto investments.

The price of Bitcoin is growing rapidly. If you have invested in bitcoin or planning to invest in bitcoin here is complete information about bitcoin including price history and prediction.

What is Bitcoin? How to purchase Bitcoin in India?

Bitcoin (BTC) is a cryptocurrency created in 2009. BTC is a digital or virtual currency completely decentralized. It is not like paper money like dollar, euros or rupees which are controlled by banks. This means no central authority control BTC. BTC is completely virtual and online. You can use BTC for buying products and services online.

Bitcoin is a computer file that is stored in encrypted format inside the wallet assigned to a specific person. BTC can be transferred from one wallet to another via a P2P network.

In India, trading in cryptocurrency was banned. However, the Supreme Court gave a verdict in March 2020 that cryptocurrency exchange and trading in cryptocurrency is allowed in India. This means bitcoin buying, selling, trading or mining is not illegal by any law in India.

There are multiple BTC exchanges in India. You can look for a suitable exchange for buying BTC. Bitcoin can be purchased using a credit card. The most popular Bitcoin exchanges in India are Coinbase, Coindesk, Zebpay, Unocoin, and WazirX. You need to submit your KYC documents to trade in cryptocurrency.

You require a wallet on your smartphone or computer to store BTC. It is advisable to keep a backup of the wallet at other location so that you don’t lose data.

Historical Price of Bitcoin

The historical price of bitcoin in INR is given below.

From the above bitcoin price history, we can say that bitcoin is volatile in nature. The currency is going up and down year on year. The first price rise in BTC was in 2014 when BTC price jumped 10 times from its 2013 price. The second price rise was in 2018 when the price of sa ingle BTC reached 9.72 Lakh but in 2019 the price crashed to 2.71 Lakh. In 2021 the price has reached to all-time high.

What Influences Bitcoin’s Price?

Before forecasting the future, let’s take a look at the key drivers behind Bitcoin’s price.

Supply and Demand: Bitcoin’s supply is capped at 21 million coins. This scarcity is baked into its design and is a major driver of its value. As we get closer to that cap, with each halving event reducing the new supply, demand is likely to outpace supply.
Regulation: Governments around the world have mixed feelings about Bitcoin. While some countries embrace it, others impose stringent regulations that affect its accessibility and adoption. Changes in regulation can cause significant price swings.
Adoption Rates: Bitcoin’s adoption by both retail and institutional investors plays a critical role in its price. The more people and organizations that accept Bitcoin as a payment or investment vehicle, the more its value increases.
Macroeconomic Factors: Just like any other asset, Bitcoin isn’t immune to the broader economic landscape. Inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical tensions can all influence its price.

Bitcoin Price Prediction 2025 and Beyond

While making precise predictions is challenging, analyzing current trends and expert insights can help create a range of plausible outcomes.

1. The Optimistic Scenario In the best-case scenario, Bitcoin could reach new heights, driven by increased adoption and improved technology. By 2025, analysts from investment firms like Ark Invest predict that Bitcoin could soar beyond $100,000, potentially reaching $200,000 or more. This prediction is based on the idea that Bitcoin’s role as digital gold will continue to solidify, drawing more institutional money.

Another factor in this optimistic outlook is technological advancements. The integration of the Bitcoin Lightning Network, which aims to make Bitcoin transactions faster and cheaper, could boost its utility and, consequently, its price.

2. The Moderate Scenario In a more conservative forecast, Bitcoin could stabilize between $70,000 to $100,000 by 2025. This assumes continued growth but at a slower pace due to potential regulatory hurdles and market maturation. The idea here is that Bitcoin will still be growing, but perhaps not at the same explosive rate seen in previous bull markets.

3. The Pessimistic Scenario Of course, there’s also a more cautious view. If global regulatory crackdowns intensify or technological alternatives prove more appealing, Bitcoin’s price could stagnate or even decline. In this scenario, the price might hover around the $30,000 to $50,000 range. While this would still represent resilience, it could dampen the enthusiasm of new investors.

Historical price

The price history of bitcoin shows that it is volatile in nature it goes up and down frequently. However, it is an appreciating asset in the long run. You can see that in the last ten years, this currency has grown multiple times and is likely to grow further in the future.

Should you invest in Bitcoin?

A digital currency BTC is a great investment option. The price of BTC is growing multifold that does not mean you can invest in bitcoin blindly. Please remember that Bitcoin price is not growing based on fundamentals. It is driven by supply and demand. Key points to remember while investing in Bitcoin are given below.

Bitcoin is a decentralized currency and is banned in many countries.
Bitcoin is a digital currency one needs to be cautious as the currency is stored online in a wallet.
The price of bitcoin is highly volatile.
Bitcoin is only for the high-risk investor. A risk-averse investor should stay away from this currency.
Make sure to select the best cryptocurrency exchange for buying cryptocurrency.

Expert Opinions on Bitcoin’s Future

Prominent voices in the investment world hold differing views on Bitcoin’s trajectory.

Cathie Wood (Ark Invest): A staunch Bitcoin bull, Wood believes that Bitcoin could hit over $1 million by 2030, driven by widespread adoption and institutional interest.
Jamie Dimon (JPMorgan Chase): On the other side of the spectrum, Dimon has been critical of Bitcoin, referring to it as a speculative asset that governments will eventually regulate heavily.
Elon Musk: While not primarily an investor, Musk’s influence on the market cannot be ignored. His tweets have caused massive price swings, showcasing how sentiment can shift rapidly in the crypto world.

Final Thoughts

Investing in Bitcoin isn’t for the faint of heart. The potential for massive gains is matched by the risk of significant losses. If you’re considering investing, do your due diligence, stay informed, and only invest what you’re willing to lose. Whether Bitcoin reaches $200,000 or drops back to $20,000, one thing is clear: the cryptocurrency space is here to stay, and Bitcoin will likely remain at its forefront.

If you liked our article Bitcoin Price Prediction 2025 and beyond, please share it with your friends and colleagues.

ESG Mutual Funds in India – Should you invest?

Mutual Funds

Shitanshu Kapadia

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January 21, 2021

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ESG Mutual Funds in India – Should you invest?

ESG Mutual Funds – ESG investing is a new trend. It is a globally accepted concept. ESG investing means considering Environmental, Social, and Governance factors while evaluating an investment. The mutual funds that evaluate companies over ESG and invest in the companies which are sustainable and socially responsible are called ESG mutual funds. In India, we have seven such ESG mutual funds. If you are aware of ESG investing concept – Great. If not, we are here to discuss What is ESG? Why ESG to be considered? Which are ESG Mutual funds and should you invest in them or not?

What is ESG?

ESG investing is used synonymously with sustainable investing or socially responsible investing. While selecting a stock for investment, the ESG fund shortlists companies that score high on the environment, social responsibility, and corporate governance, and then looks into financial factors. So, these types of schemes focus on companies with environment-friendly practices, ethical business practices, and an employee-friendly record.

Environmental Factors –

Action on climate change
Greenhouse gas emission and reduction
Water usage

Social Factors –

Standard of labour
Health and safety performance
Treatment to clients and customers

Governance Factors –

Tax transparency
Anti-corruption measures
Rules, practice and procedure in place

Foreign Institutional investors and high net worth individual prefer companies that are following ESG criteria.

Let’s try to understand this concept by example. ITC is name of big company that is involved in multiple businesses such as FMCG, Hospitality, Cigarettes etc. As ITC is involved in cigarette business which is related to tobacco and health related issue it will be not be preferred ESG investment.

Second example is Delta Corporation. Delta Corporation is gaming and hospitality sector company. As it is involved in online casino which is against ESG it will not be preferred by ESG investors.

In India, separate Nifty 100 ESG Index is formulated. The companies with valid ESG score are part of this index. Companies engaged in the business of tobacco, alcohol, controversial weapons and gambling operations shall be excluded.

After looking at definition of ESG here is detail about fund that are ESG funds.

Which are ESG Mutual funds in India?

SBI Magnum Equity ESG Fund

SBI Magnum Equity ESG Fund invest in companies with ESG Criteria. This fund invests in 80% in equity and equity related instruments following ESG criteria. It is high risk fund with very good performance. It is one of the oldest ESG mutual fund.

Aditya Birla Sun Life ESG Fund

Aditya Birla Sun Life ESG Fund objective is to invest in diversified companies that follows ESG themes. It is open ended thematic equity fund that have focused portfolio of 40-50 ESG complaint companies with high growth potential. This fund is launched recently in Dec, 2020.

ICICI Prudential ESG Fund

ICICI Prudential ESG Fund invests in the company with high ESG score. The selection process of investing is based on internal research and Nifty ESG. This fund is comparatively new. This fund has given two digit returns to investors in last three months.

In addition to above ESG mutual funds other ESG mutual funds available in India are Axis ESG Fund, Kotak ESG Opportunities Fund, Quantum India ESG Equity Fund etc.

Should you invest in ESG Mutual Funds?

ESG Mutual funds are high risk thematic fund. This is new category of fund. Most of the fund in this category are new with limited or no track record. It is evolving theme in India. Globally this theme is very famous.

Investor with high risk profile can consider investing in ESG mutual funds. Your investment horizon should be at least 5 years. You can invest maximum of 10% of your portfolio in this theme. You can gradually increase your investment in these funds after evaluating.

10 Healthcare Business ideas in India

Business Ideas

Shitanshu Kapadia

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January 16, 2021

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Do want to start a healthcare business? If yes, you are at the right place in this post I will share 10 healthcare business ideas in India.

Healthcare is the most promising sector both in terms of making money and employment. The government is focusing more on the health care sector. The health sector in India means health clinics, medical equipment, medicines, health insurance, fitness, and medical tourism.

Covid-19 has changed the lifestyle of everyone. People have become more health-conscious it is mainly due to an increase in life-threatening diseases. The future of the health care industry is very bright. Healthcare business is becoming a profitable business option. Here is a list of 10 Healthcare Business ideas in India.

10 Healthcare Business ideas in India

#1 Yoga Meditation studio or Health Club

Starting a yoga or meditation studio is first on the list. Yoga is a combination of physical exercise and mental meditation and breathing techniques for relieving stress. If you are an expert yoga instructor, you can start yoga classes. If you are a fitness instructor, you can open a health club. A yoga studio can be opened with low investment. However, you require significant investment to start your health club.

#2 Medical & Surgical Equipment Store

ECG, Stethoscopes & Spare parts, Diagnostic set, X-ray machine, surgical medical gloves, blades, dressing, blood pressure monitor, wheelchairs, hospital beds & medical furniture are examples of medical and surgical equipment that are used widely. You can start a business of medical & surgical equipment store.

#3 Medicine or Pharmacy Store

Medicine or pharmacy store is an evergreen business. You require retail space at a prime location to start a medical store. You require a pharmacy license to start this business. The profit margin in this business is significant.

#4 Pathology Laboratory

The pathology lab is involved in the study and diagnosis of disease via examination of blood, urine or surgically removed organs. If you hold valid pathology degree you can plan to start your own pathology laboratory. This business is one of the best health care businesses with a lot of demand.

#5 Diagnostic Center

A diagnostic center is a place where various diagnostic is performed this includes X-Ray, MRI, CT Scan and other diagnostic tests. As the population in India is high there are shortage of diagnostic center. If you have good space and you can invest lot of money you can open your own diagnostic center. You can also plan to take a franchise of various diagnostic centers.

#6 Herbal and Organic Product Store

Herbal and organic products are in huge demand. It is an evergreen industry with lot of potentials. If you have good retail space and investment capacity, you can open your own herbal and organic product store. You can keep good branded organic and herbal products in your store.

#7 Nursing Home/Hospital

Nursing homes and hospitals are some of the topmost healthcare businesses. You require land or buildings along with a team of doctors and nursing staff to open a nursing home. You also need to be registered and have licensing approval for opening a nursing home. The investment required for the opening of a hospital is even higher, as you will need more staff, operating theatres, and extensive medical equipment such as ultrasound devices, medical laboratory equipment, and lab spill kit.

#8 Eye Clinic

The eye clinic is business for an ophthalmologist. If you are an ophthalmology practitioner instead of doing job you should open an eye clinic. You can plan to buy an existing eye clinic or build your own from scratch. Along with an eye clinic you can open an eye glass optical store. It is a very good business with a high-profit margin.

#9 Nutritionist or Dietitian

Good nutritious food is important for reducing your weight. But, nowadays the usage of fast food and junk food has increased. Fast food and junk food generate fat and create many health problems. One of the solutions here is to consult a nutritionist to follow good food practices. If you have done a course of a dietitian, you can open your own consultation business as Nutritionist or Dietitian.

#10 Home Medical Services

Home medical services is one of the best health care business. The population is growing at a faster rate many elder people require home medical services. In this business, you need to act as a bridge between health care professionals and end customers. You can earn a very good commission in this business.

Over to you

I hope you have got complete information about top health care business.

Which health care business you will select and why?

Do share with us in the comment section given below.