Have you ever wondered how to create wealth through smart investments but felt intimidated by the complexity of the stock market? If so, then a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) may be exactly what you are looking for. In this article, we will break down the steps required to invest smartly through SIP.
What is SIP?
A SIP is a type of investment vehicle offered by mutual funds that allows investors to invest a fixed amount of money on regular intervals (weekly, monthly, or quarterly) for a predetermined period. SIP investment builds up over time, and as a result, it is an excellent vehicle for long-term financial planning.
The primary advantage of SIP investment is the ‘rupee cost averaging’, a term that refers to the fact that when you invest in small amounts, you get more units when the market is low and fewer units when it’s high, thereby averaging your buying price out over time. As a result, SIP can help to mitigate the impacts of market volatility, which is why it is especially suitable for new investors.
NAV Full Form
Before we proceed on how to invest in SIP, let’s first understand what NAV means. NAV, or Net Asset Value, refers to a mutual fund’s market value of its portfolio assets reduced by liabilities, divided by the number of units held by investors. Therefore, NAV full form is the Net Asset Value. It is calculated on a daily basis, and investors can buy mutual fund units at that NAV. The NAV determines the fund’s current worth and, therefore, the investor’s investment value.
How to Invest in SIP?
The first step in investing in SIP is to identify the mutual fund that meets your investment needs. Several mutual fund houses offer SIP investment in India. There are equity funds, debt funds, and hybrid funds. You should review the returns on the mutual funds to identify the one that suits your investment horizon, risk appetite, and financial objectives.
Once you have identified the mutual fund for investment, you need to follow these steps to initiate a SIP investment.
Open a Demat account:
To invest in mutual funds, you need to open a Demat account with a registered broker. Most banks offer Demat account services, and you can also open a Demat account with standalone brokers.
KYC Compliance:
Investors need to submit their Know Your Customer (KYC) details, including identity proof, address proof, and photograph, to be compliant with SEBI regulations.
Select SIP investment amount:
In SIP, you have the flexibility to invest a fixed amount at regular intervals, usually monthly, quarterly, or weekly. You can choose the investment amount as per your financial objectives, but it is advisable to keep a long-term horizon to leverage the benefits of compounding over time.
Choose the investment tenure:
The investment tenure depends on the investor’s investment horizon and financial objective. In SIP, the minimum investment period is four years, but investors can continue the investment indefinitely.
Set up ECS mandate:
The final step is to set up an Electronic Clearing Service (ECS) mandate to link the SIP investment to your bank account. The ECS mandate automatically deducts the SIP investment amount from your bank account on the scheduled date.
Example of SIP Investment:
Let us take an example of how SIP can help build wealth over time by investing INR 5,000 per month at a rate of 12% for ten years. The simple calculation tells us that the total investment is INR 6,00,000 over ten years.
However, the investment value after ten years would be INR 13,84,224, which is more than twice the amount invested over ten years. This is due to the benefits of compounding and the fact that SIP averages out the buying price over time.
Disclaimer:
While SIP is a promising investment vehicle for long-term financial planning, it is essential to gauge all the risks associated with trading in the Indian financial market. Investors must perform their due diligence, assess their risk appetite, and understand the fund’s portfolio before investing in SIP.
Conclusion:
SIP is an excellent investment vehicle that helps investors achieve their long-term financial goals. It aids in wealth creation over time, mitigates the effects of market volatility, and allows investors to have a disciplined approach to investing. The flexibility of SIP investments allows investors to invest as per their financial objectives, making SIP one of the most suitable investment options for first-time investors looking to create wealth in the long run.
Summary:
SIP investment is a type of mutual fund investment that allows investors to invest a fixed amount on a regular basis for a predetermined period. SIP has several benefits, including rupee cost averaging, mitigating the impacts of market volatility, and aiding in wealth creation over time. Investors can initiate SIP investments by opening a Demat account, complying with KYC regulations, selecting the investment amount and tenure, and setting up the ECS mandate. While SIP is suitable for long-term financial planning, investors must evaluate their risk appetite and perform due diligence before investing.
Read also: Beyond Banks: The Power of Demat Accounts in Modern Finance