LEARNINGS FROM THE SUDDEN FALL IN MARKETS LAST WEEK

Greetings,
Last week, the Stock markets took a sharp sudden fall and left many investors shell shocked.
It was an unexpected fall for many as Markets were going on smoothly with everything looking honky dory

Two things led to sudden sharp fall.
1. The Rise in Doklam Border Tension with China
2. The Shell Companies issue raised by SEBI.
Now, look at these two images...

This Client started investing just about a month back. She had done a single investment last Nov and then restarted only last week. 

Last week's sudden brutal fall hit the portfolio valuation hard and showed a loss of Rs.7500/- and a negative CARG of -4%. 

Its obvious that the client would get upset on seeing a RED portfolio especially wherein one Fund is showing a CAGR of 33% and still the overall portfolio is showing a negative 4.1%!!

And as expected, I got a message from the client that there are rumours of war with China and whether I should be moving ALL the funds to debt

I just said "WAIT"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now, watch this image. 

Just 1 single day later. 

The Portfolio has moved from a loss of Rs.7500 to a Profit of Rs.13700 and a negative CAGR to a positive CAGR of 7.3%. 

All in a matter of one single day!! 

Point is...

1. Negatives are inevitable (its a part and parcel of any business including Equities)

2. Equities is NOT for Short Term. Never was. Never will be. 

3. Positive Growth is a given. Equities have outperformed all other asset classes by a reasonable margin but the problem is VOLATILITY. 

You have to bear with it. 

4. When the Investment is LONG TERM, why should you even bother to look at your portfolio??

You will only be increasing your BP. 

So, bear with the volalitility. Enjoy the Ride. \

5. Stick to Asset Allocation. Stick to Good Quality Funds. Invest in Funds which are aliging to your Goal. 

Learnings : 

1. Dont watch your NAV/Portfolio Daily

2. Dont listen to CNBC/ETNOW experts. They find pleasure in making you nervous. 

3. Take the Advise of a Good MFD/Advisor who will guide you after looking at your Goals.

4. If the Horizon is Long term, treat the Falls as an Opportunity to buy Quality Funds at lower rates and reduce your overall Cost of Purchase.  

Relax. Enjoy the ride but be warned the ride could be bumpy.

And, of course, DO NOT TRY TO TIME THE MARKET

And let the MAGIC OF COMPOUNDING WORK to your advantage. 

BEST OF LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRADHAN MANTRI VAYA VANDANA YOJANA - A REVIEW

PMVVY is a Government subsidised Pension Plan  Scheme for Senior Citizens which entatils them to get GUARANTEED 8% return in Monthly Mode and 8.3% return in Annual Mode.
Senior Citizens require a No-Risk, Non-fluctuating and reasonable rate of return product and to address this issue, the PMVVY has been launched.
Even with its soft launch, within 2 months, the scheme has collected Rs.2705 crores. 


Features : 
1. Implemented by LIC
2. Entry Age : 60 years.....(Maximum - No limit)
3. Polity Term : 10 years
4. Plan open from 4th May 2017  till 03/05/2018
5. On Death of subscriber,  Entire Deposited Amount will be refunded to Nominee/Legal Heirs
6. On Maturity at 10 years, Policy Holder will get the Last Due Pension along with the Intiail Deposited Amount
7. In rare cases like Critical Medical Emergency, the policy can be surrendered before maturity at a surrender value of 98% of Purchase price.
8. Minimum Amount is 1,50,000 for Monthly mode
9. Maximum Amount is 7,50,000
10. Minimum Pension / Maximum Pension 
Monthly - 1000 5000
Quarter - 3000 15000
Half Yearly - 6000 30000
Yearly - 12000 60000

For Rs.1000/- you will get 
Yearly :– Rs.83 every year.
Half-Yearly :– Rs.81.30 every year.
Quarterly :– Rs.80.50 every year.
Monthly :– Rs.80 every year.

Positives : 
1. GUARANTEED interet of 8% for 10 years that too options like Monthly, Quarterly, Half-yearly and Yearly.
2. GST will not be levied on this plan.
3. Surrender (redemption) before 10 years can be done in extra ordinary cases like critical illness of self or spouse.
4. Exempted from Service Tax or GST.
5. Loan can be availed upto 75% of Purchase price.
Loan interest will be recovered from pension instalments...whereas the Loan Principal will be recovered from Maturity proceeds.
6. Since the scheme is backed by Govt, it is absolutely SAFE.




Negatives : 
1. Pension will be added to other income for tax assessment.
2. Liquidity concerns as only Loan facility available that too after 3 years.
Especially, the fact that in Old age, there could be regular health related issues and in such a scenario, this scheme does not give you easy liquidity.
3. Taxes!!!!!
Pension paid will be added to your total income and tax will be calculated accordingly (if the total income comes under the tax bracket).
4. No cumulative Benefit.
5. The ceiling of Rs.7,50,000 covers entire family including pensioner, pensioner's spouse and dependants and hence may not be sufficient to many.
6. Not Inflation adjusted.
Assuming inflation at 7%, the purchasing power of Rs 5,000 would reduce to Rs 2,500 in 10 Years.




COMMENTS : 
With falling interest rates, the scheme is definitely attractive especially because the interest is GUARANTEED at 8% throughout the tenure of 10 years.
8% may appear attractive in the present circumstances but going forward may not be enough as Inflation pressure will extract higher expenses from you.



Entry age should have been 55 years as even those in that age bracket too would already be planning for their retirement.

Taxation is a HUGE negative. Govt could have given an exemption to at least to those who get Rs.3000 per month.




FINALLY, 
If you are looking for a SAFE, GUARANTEED long term product then PMVVY looks good otherwise you can consider SCSS (SENIOR CITIZEN SAVINGS SCHEME) as it provides better liquidity.
If you are just retired, you may outlive the policy term of 10 years and could get into REINVESTMENT RISK especially as you may need not just regular pension but INCREASING PENSION to meet RAISING EXPENSE.
Alternatively, Senior Citizens can look at Tax Free Bonds, Secured NCDs, SCSS, especially MIPs from Mutual Funds and even Balanced Funds, espeically if you are in Higher Tax Bracket and have just retired.



CAVEAT : 
Do consult your Financial Advisor before taking any Decision. 

Soveriegn Gold Bond - July 2017.....THE BEST ONE BY FAR

I had written a lenghty article in April 2017 on the 8th Series of the issue of Sovereign Gold Bonds

Here is the link....
http://www.goodfundsadvisor.in/2017/04/sovereign-gold-bonds-good-one-but.html

I have already analysed these Bonds in depth in that article.
However what makes this particular issue of Bonds particularly interesting to me is that this Bonds are GST FREE!!!!!!!
Yes. Gold is taxed at rates even lower than the LOWEST slab of 5% of GST at just 3% and is definitely attractive Taxation wise but these SGB Bonds are exempt from even GST!!

Lets see the Features of this Sovereign Gold Bond Series II in 2017-18 in detail (Overall 9th issuance)


FEATURES  : 
1. Open for subscription on 10 July and closes on 14th July.

2) Bonds will have a denomination in multiples of 1 unit = 1gram of Gold
3) Tenor = 8 years (Exit option from 5th Year)
4) Price 2780 (mkt value 2830).............the Previous series was issued at 2901 (50 less than the then market value of 2951)
5)Interest 2.5% pa payable semi-annually.......The interest shall be paid in half-yearly rests and the last one shall be payable on maturity along with the principal.
6) Minimum 1 bond, Maximum 500 bonds
7) Each underlying unit will track and mirror the price of Gold
8) SGB available in Demat and physical format. (Here physical means Paper format).
9) Investments can be made in name of Minors
10) Indian Residents, HUFs, Trusts, Charitable Establishments, Universities are eligible
11) KYC required (same as when buying physical Gold) : Aadhar Card, PAN, Passport, et


POSITIVES : 
1. Gold is lower than the lowest slab of 5% and is taxed only on @3%.
But, this SGB does NOT have even this LOWEST tax.
Yes, SGB is TAX FREE.
2. And, of course, additional return of 2.5% per year (not compounded, but annual)
3. Tax Free if held till maturity (physical gold is taxed)
4. No making charges
5. Purity of 999
6. Can be used as Loan collateral
7. No "fund Management Charges" compared to Gold Funds or Gold ETFs



NEGATIVES : 
1. Interest is taxable
2. Lack of liquidity
3. If sold before maturity, Capital Gains will be taxed at 20% (though Indexation benefit is available)
4. Reduced Interest is at 2.5% (the first 6 tranches the interest was 2.75%)







THE BIGGEST ATTRACTION for me is that this SGB gives me Interest of 2.5% pa (on base value) and mirrors the prices of Market Value of Gold.
Neither Physical Gold, Gold Mutual Funds or Gold ETFs pay any Interest.
For a Gold lover, SGB is a GOD SENT WINDOW to invest in Gold (expecially as it is GST free!!)

SGB is definitely the BEST choice if you want to buy Gold but if you want to create Wealth and become rich.....no .....the asset class of Gold itself is not the right one...
Choose others like an Equity or a Real Estate
Please understand SGB is not a substitute for Equity/Fd/ppf/etc

BEFORE INVESTING IN SGB.....ask yourself WHY you are investing?
If it is for Returns = Please dont
If it is for Safety of Capital = Okay (Gold tends to give returns in line with Inflation)
If it is as an alternative to Gold = Yes....Please Go ahead
If it is to diversify = Yes. ...Please go ahead

But, do note....DO NOT....have more than 5-10% of exposure to Gold





GOLD OUTLOOK : 
Short term Gold looks good but long term....it does not look very attractive...Hence stick to Asset Allocation. 



Invest ONLY if you are sure to hold till Maturity. 
Invest ONLY if your Asset Allocation indicates you need to have more Gold exposure. 

Even if we assume just a 5% increase in Gold prices in 8 years.....the returns will be much higher due to the additional interest of 2.5% bign given by Govt. 
For example, if you invest Rs.50,000 in this bond and the same will appreciate to say...73872...you will actually get an extra Rs.10,000 which is 2.5 pa interest that the Govt is giving you. 
So you will end up with Rs.83872/- which is a return of 6.68% CAGR

Cost wise, SGB is really very effective even compared to Gold ETFs but cost is not everything. 
You need to look at Liquidity too. 
Even if you are lover of Gold and accept the benefits that SGB does offer....do not forge tthe dictum “DONT PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN 1 BASKET”
While this refers to Different asset class...it could be referred to Gold too. 
Do not put everything into SGB....do have bit of exposure to Gold ETFs too
Also visithttp:/http://goodinsuranceadvisor.blogspot.in/

Also visit http:/http://goodinsuranceadvisor.blogspot.in/

Considering PPF..... Think again!!!

As predicted by me last year.... the interest rates on PPF is gradually moving DOWN...
it is inevitable and

with a massive lock-in of 15 years, it is one of the WORST products to put your savings into.

Instead of PPF you have to seriously consider ELSS

Whenever you take any comparision between the Small Savings and the Income Funds of any Mutual Funds, MFs have always been better not only in terms of returns but also due to their Tax Benefits in the form of INDEXATION

And, if your amount is going to be locked in for a longer period, it makes absolutely no sense to put in a product like PPF, Sukanya, it is better you consider going for a dose of Equity, at least in small measure like a Balanced Fund
AND
If it's for Tax Savings purpose then go for ELSS

SMOKING KILLS TAN (BODY).......SIPing FILLS DHAN (WEALTH)

Today is 31st May...
No Tobacco Day

Do not want to give Gyan on how Smoking affects your Body but I WILL definitely give you gyaan on how Smoking affects your Wealth!!

Spending ₹3500 per month on cigarettes? 

Invest instead and get a return of ₹2.42 crore in 30 years. (See image)

Quit Smoking and Start Investing!

The easiest thing to do is to say SMOKING IS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH. 

but to ensure that the individual dosent smoke is the most challenging task. 

Like wise We all know by staying invested and investing  regularly you create wealth but how many people have ran the race so far. 

It's difficult if you try to do it on your own.especially when a huge corpus is built .Market is like an ECG graph which will make even the most wisest investor look like a foolish one. 

Even doctors consult their colleagues when they are sick.

CONSULT YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR & START YOUR JOURNEY TO RETIRING SUPER RICH!!

Smoking will kill you earlier definitely

Trading (Speculating) will kill you definitely 

But SIPing will not only help you live peacefully but also help you live with pride with RICHNESS. 

   

Think Smart

Quit smoking

& Start investing!!!

WHY LIQUID FUNDS? & When to use them??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPfT9omVdt0&feature=youtu.be

See the above video

I have always advocated that EVERY investor regardless of his Financial Stature should mandatorily have a Liquid Fund in his portfolio. This fund could be for his Emergency, for his Day to day expenses, anything that is needed at a short notice.


WHAT IS A LIQUID FUND?
Liquid fund as the name suggest invest in money market instruments, treasury bills, etc which have a residual maturity of less than 91 days.
They do not have Exit Load


WHY LIQUID FUNDS?
Liquid funds give much higher returns than your Savings Bank account without compromising on the safety and liquidty of your investment.
Liquid funds have no exit loads
Redemptions happens in an instant!!


WHEN CAN I REDEEM LIQUID FUNDS?
Redemptions can be done fully or partially at any point of time. In fact, some Fund Houses give you the option of redeeming INSTANTLY. Yes...You get the liquid money in your SB account in less than 30 mins!!!!

Just because Liquid funds are safe, do not make the mistake of investing in Liquid funds if your time horizon is pretty long. Take the advise of a Mutual Fund Distributor who will guide you.

Also read http://www.goodfundsadvisor.in/2016/07/reliance-anytime-money-card-atm-card.html

WHEN TO INVEST IN LIQUID FUNDS??

1. Your salary till your next EMI due
2. Bonus till you spend/plan it
3. Sales proceeds of your flat till you invest in new one
4. Funds created for your child's education /marriage till you use it
5. LumSum amount lying in your bank account which you may be required any time
6. A Funds lying ideal for long weekend

Why you should invest in liquid fund?
1. No locking period
2. Historically return 7.50% to8.50% p.a as against 4% in saving account or 0% in current account
3. Online access
4. Minimum Rs. 5000 maximum no limit

Illustration :
Rs. 1 Cr kept for one day will earn Rs. 2200 per day,  which mean on weekends you will earn Rs. 2,28,000 (salary of one person). 

Please Consult your Financial Advisor before investing. 

Regards, 
Srikanth Matrubai

Let your IDLE MONEY EARN MORE

Suppose you get your Salary/Rent on the 1st of every month.

It is unusal for you to have your entire months expenses on the 1st itself. The expenses will be staggered and spread throughout the month.

Ex

Mobile bill on 5th

School Fees on 10th

Credit Card on 15^th

EMI on 20^th

Monthly SIP on 25th

Till these expenses come up, you tend to lock your money in Bank wherein you are getting 4% (yes, some banks do offer 6% for Saving Bank Account, but these rates come with lots of conditions like balance of more than 1 lakh)

So, when I consider 4%, you are better off investing in Liquid Funds where returns match 1 year Fixed Deposits. Right now, even the underperforming liquid funds have been giving 8%, which is DOUBLE the rate of Saving Bank Deposit.

Another Advantage of investing in Liquid Funds instead of keeping in SB account is that Liquid Funds are in true sense “liquid” that is, you get your money within 24 hours and whats more some AMCs also offer ATM Card for your investment which you can use to withdraw money anywhere, anytime.

Theoretically speaking Liquid Funds are not Capital Safe but Liquid Funds invest in Money Markets, Short Term Corporate Deposits and Treasury and hence very liquid and very safe as all these instruments have very low risk and enjoy high liquidity. 

1. The Average returns of Liquid Funds has always beaten SB Account Interest by a minimum of 1%
2. True, Dividend on Liquid Funds are taxed at 28.3% but Interest on SB interest is added to your overall Income and is taxed as per Tax Slabs.
3. Interest on Liquid Funds is paid out on Daily basis where Interest on SB Account is paid on Quarterly basis.
4. There is no charges by AMCs if minimum balance in Liquid Fund goes below the prescribed minimum balance, whereas Banks charge anywhere between Rs.50 to Rs.1000.

So, if you an investor who comes under High Tax Bracket of 30%, you are advised to go for Dividend option wherein your Capital Gains is nullified and if you are in Lower Tax Bracket, you can go for Growth option and take the advantage of Indexation to reduce your Tax Outgo.

Prudent financial planning says that an investor should have some Contingency fund to face any Emergency situation in Life. So, keep cash at home and the balance should be divided in SB Account and Liquid Fund depending on your requirements.

I normally advise investors to keep 1/3^rd of Contingency Fund in Liquid Funds.

After all, an 8% return with 1 day Liquidity is always much better than a 4% in SB Account!

Caveat : Do not use Liquid funds for Investment use them purely for parking your Temporary money.

I would recommend Short Term Debt Fund and Dynamic bond, especially those with lower duration if you are sure that you do not need this money for 2 years atleast

Low risk  and short time horizon investors should look at Accrual funds.

Also visit http:/http://goodinsuranceadvisor.blogspot.in/

Timing the Market?? Think again

Side effects of timing the market

Total trading days on sensex till date 8548

*If remain invested all days : Return 15.94%*

Missed best 10 days : 12.79%
Missed best 20 days : 10.64%
Missed best 30 days  :  8.79%
Missed best 50 days  :  5.63%
Missed best 70 days  :  2.80%

  Investor makes money by being in the market then timing the market..

Do not wait for the market to go "down"

Invest via the time tested SIP WAY!!!

Sip evens out the volatility in the Market

"In 30 years in this business, I do not know anybody who knows anybody who has done it successfully and consistently. Indeed, my impression is that trying to do market timing is likely, not only not add value to your investment program, but to be counterproductive."-John Bogle

AFTER INVESTING KNOW THIS...

 Do not stop your SIPs during times when market comes down. 

Keep continuing your SIP. You get allocated max units when market comes down. 

Which, in turn, gives you the highest return when market goes up, which it eventually does.

I love this poem on SIP

Systematic Investment Planning

She (SIP) teaches me discipline

She teaches me to have patience👌👌👌

With no worry of timing the market

With no worry of market fluctuations

We started young with a disciplined approach

To investment and growth

And at fixed intervals we surely meet

To check on the goals we have targeted on the sheet

Our alliance is mutual and we spend quality time

Together we plan to achieve our goals on time

She not only gives wings to my dreams and aspirations

But helps me lessen worries about my trials and tribulations

She teaches me the power of compounding

As little drops of water make the mighty ocean

Small or big, whatever my contribution be

Our friendship comes without any hassles

Easy to maintain and loving in nature

She is a blessing in disguise

My Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) - truthful and wise

Thanks to
Poet FB ANIL Kumar
DEHRADUN for the poem

PLANNING FOR YOUR CHILD'S MARRIAGE?? Read this...

BEFORE PLANNING FOR YOUR CHILD'S MARRIAGE KNOW THIS...
The average budget for an Indian wedding ceremony in the middle class is estimated to be around Rs.30 lakh. (source: HT July 2015)
This estimate in 5 years time period will cross Rs. 60 lacs.

For the upper middle class and rich class, these estimate would run in Crores.

So, start investing for your Beloved child's marriage NOW!!
If you want to accumulate GOLD for your child's marriage...

Instead of gold bonds, start SIP in balanced funds to buy gold at the time of marriage of your child.

It is beneficial as the gold rates are expected to go down and the balanced funds has a potential to deliver good tax free returns.

Watch the video

https://youtu.be/x6P_8QX1zQc

BEFORE PLANNING YOUR RETIREMENT KNOW THIS...

BEFORE PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT KNOW THIS...
The retirement should be looked from 2 health points.
1. Financial health
2. Physical health

Interestingly people now a days put too much attention on 1 & care less about 2.
In my personal opinion, one should care more for Physical health. The reason is simple. The cost of medication 'll deteriorate your financial health also & the impact 'll be huge

Also watch

https://youtu.be/S3D4QErNoWc

For GOLDEN returns, avoid GOLD!!!!

​​

Akshay Tritiya, is a holy day for Hindus and Jains. It falls on the third Tithi (lunar day) of Bright Half (Shukla Paksha) of the pan-Indian month of Vaishakha and one of the four most important days for Hindus. It is an auspicious day of the birthday of Lord Parasurama who is the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this day Veda Vyas began to write Mahabharata. Jains celebrate this day to commemorate Tirthankara Rushabhanatha's ending of one-year fast by consuming sugarcane juice poured into his cupped hands. – Courtesy - wikipedia

The word "Akshay" means the never diminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is believed that if you do charity on this day you will be blessed.

The day is considered auspicious for starting new ventures: Assumed to grow and bring prosperity.

Now let's get into reality....

Akshay Tritiya is very popular if I remember right, especially in the last 15 years or so. Jewelers’ utilized this opportunity and positioned in such a way that everyone should buy gold and it is hugely success as well.

Let’s look at the reality of what happened in the last 5 years when it comes to GOLD investment. 5 Years is relatively longer period when it comes to investing.

28^th April 2012 gold price were trading at 29,107 and it was closed yesterday at 28,875. One more observation is, even if you take it, year on year performance from the day one bought it has never increased, emotion plays a bigger role when it comes to investing to many of us, so without calculating anything we keep buying. Here, it is only blind faith and never verified!

​

I have observed one more thing, let us assume somebody has not invested lump sum and they have invested through monthly chit (which is very popular in Bangalore, not sure about other states) and the value is one and the same. It clearly indicates passive investment will not work. See the below table of Gold Investment in SIP.

Sensex value as on 27/4/12 is 17,134 and it was closed 29,918. The absolute return in the last 5 year is 74.61 in terms of CAGR it is 11.8% only.

I have given you some of the mid and small cap funds which were popular in those days and their returns and anyone can see their own investment returns or any other fund they feel it’s a good fund. I have provided just for illustration purpose only. I used to say jokingly to all my clients, if you invest in GOLD you can give X amount to your daughter and if you invest in mutual fund it will be at least 2X, you decide how much you would like to give your daughter!!!

​

	NAV Value as on
Fund Name	28-04-12	28-04-17	CAGR	Abs Return
HDFC Midcap Opportunities	16.44	51.87	25.84%	216%
DSPBR Small & Midcap	17.12	51.63	24.70%	202%
Reliance Smallcap	9.16	37.2	32.35%	306%
Mirae Asset Emerging Bluechip	11.43	44.57	31.28%	290%
Franklin India Prima Fund	267	893.4	27.32%	235%

International gold price has touched all time high as on 22^nd August 2011 as $ 1,917.90 per ounce and yesterday closing price is $ 1,268 and it is down by 33.85%. In the same time our rupee has weakened from 45.66 to 64.23 against USD. There is an absolute increase of 40.67%. I am not here to predict what will be the gold price in future, but one thing I can be rest assured is there will not be much appreciation henceforth from the currency.

My humble submission to everyone is never buying gold as an investment, buy gold as an ornament which you constantly wear. Do not start any gold investment even if you have girl child. Gold is important for the marriage, but it does not mean that we should invest only in gold!

Last, but not the least investment have no emotions, so whenever you invest do not show emotions. Gold and Real estate investments are more out of emotions which is proven now. Real estate has also not grown much in the last 5 years, but it is not regulated and no such data available I am not in a position to give any data.

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ON GOLD : 

1. Most of the gold digged from time immemorial is still in circulation.

So we may even be using the some of the gold (recycled) that was used in the times of Rama, Krishna, Buddha and Jesus.

2. The quantity of steel poured in an hour in our planet is more than what has been poured for gold since the civilization. That is how limited the availability of the gold is.

3. It is estimated that total gold available (in circulation and storage) in the world is 1,65,000 tonnes.

4. 75% of the gold available today has been extracted only after 1910.. The Pace of extraction is quicker!!

MOST IMPORTANT : 

5. If you are worried that gold’s supply would get exhausted soon, fear not!

About 10 billion tonnes – 10,000 million tonnes (yes, you read it right) of gold is estimated to be held in the oceans of the world. An economically viable model of extraction is being explored.

Necessity is the mother of invention. If gold prices continue to rise and if the demand would only increase, who knows, a technological innovation can happen in extracting gold from ocean.

AND FINALLY, THE BOMB : 

10mn tones under the sea is eye opener. Same happened with oil; eventually people dug under the sea after land sources were well discovered and prices kept climbing- oil came from sea!

Its the Multi Stage Fracking Technology that changed equation for oil. 

Offshore was there, but the shale gas was the real gamechanger.

And Crude Oil was never the same again. 

so, maybe maybe some day going forward something in technology breakthrough could just help us in laying our hands on that 10 billion tonnes of Gold lying in Oceans. 

and Like Crude Oil..the price of Gold is bound to go down...

Waiting for that day!!!!!!!!

BTW, 

The diamond conglomerate De Beers has been mining diamonds from shallow waters off southwest Africa since the 1960s, so harvesting diamonds from deeper water is a possibility.

Also please read.

http://www.goodfundsadvisor.in/2017/04/sovereign-gold-bonds-good-one-but.html

REMEMBER : 
Gold is not an investment. Gold is an allocation in Indian Households. Continue buying gold in SIP for a specific purpose & allocation.

Your wealth grow as per the potential of the asset you invest. 

Potentials of  some financial assets are.

Idle money in SB A/c ~4%

Bank and Post office deposits ~7-8%

Traditional life insurance policies ~5-6%

ULIP plan~ 8-9%

Gold 8-9%

Equity mutual funds~12-15%

Provident funds ~ 8% 

Whatever wealth you have accumulated today is a result of where your investment was done in the past.

FINALLY, 

****

If you would have bought 10 gram gold on the Akshaya Tritiya of 2002, it would have costed you Rs.5,000/- ; at today's Akshaya Tritiya, your gold is worth 30,000/- a Growth of 6 times!

Well, with the same Rs.5,000, if you had bought the shares of one of those jewellery companies (Titan company, which owns Tanisq jewellers or Rajesh Exports, which owns Shubh Jewellers), your 5K should have grown to 8 to 10 lakhs...Growth of 167 to 200 times (that too ignoring the dividends)

Happy and 'Prosperous' and ENLIGHTENING Akshaya Tritiya!

http://www.goodfundsadvisor.in/2012/11/avoid-jewellers-gold-savings-scheme.html

Best of luck, 

Srikanth Matrubai

Thanks to Padmanabhan and Muthukrishnan for valuable inputs

Also visit http:/http://goodinsuranceadvisor.blogspot.in/

SOVEREIGN GOLD BONDS - GOOD ONE BUT.....

A foodie needs an excuse to eat. 
A Gold lover does not even need an excuse to splurge on Gold and occasions like Akshaya Tritaya is the BIGGEST festival for any Gold lover!!

The 1st tranche of Sovereign Gold Bonds (SGB) for fiscal 2017-18 (and 8th in the series starting 2015-16) has opened for subscription on 24 April and will close on 28 April, a day ahead of Akshaya Trithiya
Clearly the aim is to play on People’s emotional attachment for Gold and attract as much into these Bonds as possible.
 

Its priced at 2901 at a discount of Rs.50 against nominal price of Rs.2951 (based on Avg Closing Price published by India Bullion & Jewellers Association for 999 purity. 

DETAILS : 

Tenor : 8 years
Exit option: 5th Year onwards
Bond will be issued onMay 12th
Minimum : 1gm
Maximum : 500gm
Documents Reqd : Aadhaar/PAN, TAN/Passport, Voterid
Investment in name of Minor is allowed (Guardian Documents reqd)

HOW TO BUY :

1. Through your Stock Broker.....Units will be credited to demant
2. Through Post Office....will be issued Physical Bond (when selling, not you WILL have to convert them to demat form)
3. Through Banks (both physical and demat mode available)


So, should you buy this SGB or skip??

Lets check it out : 
Pros : 
1.
The Biggest attraction for Gold is its Liquidity which can be sold off anytime (virtually antime). But this is for Physical Gold but what about SGB?
SBG too offers good Liquidity. 
 Liqiudity available anytime as bonds are to be listed on NSE & BSe 
2. Gold gives returns only in form of its price Appreciation but the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme offers additional 2.5% interest!!
This interest is paid on Face Value and paid semi-annually. 
3. The Bonds carry Sovereign Guarantee!!!
4. The Bonds can be used as a Collateral for Loans
5. You can GIFT these Bonds to your Minor Children/Relatives and even Friends. 

CONS : 
1. While Liquidity is available through the listing of the Bonds on Stock Exchanges, this benefit is negated as any profit will result in Capital Gains of 20% (thankfully, with Indexation benefit). 
2. Interest is to be calculated on FACE VALUE of Bond and not on Market price 
3. Interest Rate has been reduced from 2.75% in earlier tranche to 2.5% now
4. And, sadly, the interest payments will be taxable at individual tax slabs
5. Though an option is available to get thse Bonds in Physical Form, it should be noted that in case you want to sell, you will have to compulsorily convert the same into Demat form and then sell the same. 
6. The demand for Gold is expected to COME DOWN going forward. 
Improving tech to extract gold has lead to cut in production costs and Gold is expected to come down, hence timing is cruicual. 
7. Since there is no SIP option, you do not have the option of adding more Gold Bonds in case of fall in prices
Previous tranches (already listed on Stock Exchanges) reveal that they have not exactly set the pulses soaring as except 2, 5 tranches are showing NEGATIVE returns which indicate that Gold should be seen purely as a Diversification tool and not as an investment tool. 


As an ideal Asset Allocation strategy, you are encourages to have Gold Exposure of 5-10 per cent of overall portfolio, to diversify risk. Your Advisor would be in a better position to indicate how much exposure you should have. 


GOLD OUTLOOK : 
Short term Gold looks good but long term....it does not look very attractive...Hence stick to Asset Allocation. 


FINALLY, 

Invest ONLY if you are sure to hold till Maturity. 
Invest ONLY if your Asset Allocation indicates you need to have more Gold exposure. 

Even if we assume just a 5% increase in Gold prices in 8 years.....the returns will be much higher due to the additional interest of 2.5% bign given by Govt. 
For example, if you invest Rs.50,000 in this bond and the same will appreciate to say...73872...you will actually get an extra Rs.10,000 which is 2.5 pa interest that the Govt is giving you. 
So you will end up with Rs.83872/- which is a return of 6.68% CAGR

Cost wise, SGB is really very effective even compared to Gold ETFs but cost is not everything. 
You need to look at Liquidity too. 
Even if you are lover of Gold and accept the benefits that SGB does offer....do not forge tthe dictum “DONT PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN 1 BASKET”
While this refers to Different asset class...it could be referred to Gold too. 
Do not put everything into SGB....do have bit of exposure to Gold ETFs too
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