Guides & insights for everyday investors

Page 5

E
· 9 min

Equity Savings Funds — 50/50 Equity-Debt with Equity Tax Treatment

Equity savings funds combine equity (35%+), arbitrage, and debt to qualify for equity tax treatment despite low net equity. Here's the math, the use case, and the misunderstanding most investors have.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
L
· 10 min

Long Duration Debt Funds in India — When Long-Bond Bets Pay Off

Long duration funds carry 7+ year duration. Massive gains in falling rate cycles, equally massive losses in rising. Pure interest rate bet, not for the faint-hearted. Here's the data and the rare cases where they belong.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
F
· 9 min

Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) Explained — Lock-In Yield with MF Tax Wrapper

FMPs are closed-ended debt funds that hold bonds till specific maturity dates. Predictable yield like an FD, mutual fund tax structure, no early exit. Here's why they matter and the trap to avoid.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
C
· 8 min

Corporate Bond Funds in India 2026 — The Sweet Spot Between Safety and Yield

Corporate bond funds invest 80%+ in AA+ and above corporate debt. Higher yield than Banking & PSU, much safer than credit risk funds. Here's how the category fits into a smart debt allocation in 2026.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
D
· 8 min

Dynamic Bond Funds — The Most Misunderstood Debt Category in India

Dynamic bond funds let the fund manager freely change duration based on rate views. Sounds smart. The data says active duration calls have mostly underperformed simple short-duration funds. Here's when they actually work.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
C
· 9 min

Credit Risk Funds in India — The Higher-Yield Trap Most Investors Misunderstand

Credit risk funds invest 65%+ in below-AA-rated debt for higher yield. The history is messy — IL&FS 2018, Franklin Templeton 2020. Here's when the category genuinely earns its place and when retail investors should run.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
G
· 8 min

Gilt Funds in India 2026 — Pure Government Bonds Explained

Gilt funds invest 80%+ in government securities — zero credit risk, but high interest rate sensitivity. Here's why they're used, when they shine, and the trap most retail investors fall into.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
M
· 12 min

Mutual Funds Tax in India 2026 — The Complete Updated Guide

Budget 2024 changed how mutual funds are taxed in India. Equity LTCG is now 12.5%, debt MF gains are taxed at slab rate without indexation. Here is the complete updated guide with examples for FY 2025-26 and beyond.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read
P
· 8 min

Pure Metal ETFs: 5 Hidden Risks Most Indian Investors Ignore

Gold and silver ETFs feel safer than equity. They are not. Here are five risks Indian planning blogs gloss over — every one has cost retail investors money over the past decade.

P
Pavan Polineni
Read