Systematic Investment Planning (SIP)
A systematic investment plan (SIP) is an option where you invest a fixed amount in a mutual fund at regular intervals. It could be monthly or quarterly. The minimum investment amount in most mutual funds is Rs 1,000 per month. The money may be transferred through ECS with standing instructions also. Because it's systematic, a SIP helps you plan for your long-term goals along with the short-term ones.
Disciplined & Regular Savings
A SIP is a disciplined investment plan and helps reduce susceptibility to market fluctuations. It is a powerful tool that helps you do cost averaging and allows you to benefit from market volatility, which translates into substantial wealth creation in the long run. Investors can select the tenure of investment according to their needs. Usually, you should stay invested for a long enough period, so as to maximise your returns.
Rupee Cost Averaging
When you buy more units at a lower price (when the market falls) and lesser number of units at a higher price (when the market goes up), you average out your investment costs. Suppose a monthly SIP is for Rs 10,000 and the fund's net asset value (NAV) is Rs 10. This will result in 1,000 units being credited to you. However, next month, on account of volatile market conditions , if the fund's NAV falls to Rs 5, you will get 2,000 units. This will lower your average purchase cost. A SIP helps you buy more when the stock market is falling and less when it is rising.
Reach Your Financial Goal
A SIP is an excellent tool for investors to build wealth. There is no need for a one-time lump sum investment. A regular investment pattern helps build discipline in investors. You can go for a SIP according to your goal - marriage of children, their education needs or your retirement corpus. The 'rupee cost averaging' makes the market fluctuations work for you.
Convenience
This is a very convenient way of investing. You have to just submit cheques along with the filled up enrolment form. The mutual fund will deposit the cheques on the requested date and credit the units to one's account and will send the confirmation for the same.