Friday, December 6, 2013

Prajna Capital

Prajna Capital


Understanding GSec Yield Movements

Posted: 06 Dec 2013 03:57 AM PST

Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)

 


The GSec market is probably considered to be the only liquid one where secondary transactions take place. But, actually there are only a handful of securities that are traded and more importantly once the security loses tenure — a 2023 implicit 10-year bond becomes a nine-year bond in 2014 — it loses market interest. But still the 10-year GSec becomes the barometer of interest rates in the system for want of an alternative. How should this security be priced? The implicit yield in the past three months has varied from 8.18% to 9.15% — a differential of around 100 bps. The crossing of the 9% mark has caused commotion in the market, and quite understandably so, as the basic underlying factors appear not to have changed. Can any theory be fitted here?


One way is to look at the state of liquidity in the past three months. The repo auctions are more or less fixed with around . 40,000 crore being the daily inflows from the RBI based on the 0.5% NDTL mark. The MSF has become the effective indicator of liquidity. Here too, the amount averaged around . 40,000 crore in August, . 66,000 crore in September and . 37,000 crore in October. Yet, the rate has remained virtually unchanged at a weighted average of 8.46%, 8.5% and 8.57% respectively. Therefore, liquidity in the system cannot be an explanation.


Another way is to just look at the differential between the repo rate and the yield in different phases. When the repo rate was 7.25%, the average variation of the 10-year GSec was 125 bps above this rate. It came down to 110 bps when the repo rate was raised to 7.5% and decreased to 100 bps at 7.75%. Quite clearly, this theory cannot explain a yield above 9% as 8.75% should be the upper limit.


Bringing in some statistical tools, a regression analysis, linking changes in yields to changes in repo rate on a monthly basis for the past five years, gives a rate of around 8.65% to be the ideal rate when the repo rate is 7.75%, which is close to the crude calculation done earlier. Adding inflation (WPI inflation as CPI data is not available) as another explanatory variable brings the yield to 8.67%. But both these relations explain between 22% and 30% of the variation in the 10-year GSec rate. Intuitively, this also means that the rest is being driven by non-quantifiable factors. What could these factors be?


Sentiment is one factor that can be driving prices of government paper and hence yields. The market believes that the RBI will probably continue increasing rates since inflation appears to be still a hard nut to crack. Also, the RBI has made it clear that inflation control is the primary aim and the CPI, which is higher than the WPI inflation number, is of more consequence. Therefore, expectations of rate hikes can keep yields higher. Significantly, no fresh news on inflation came in when the yields jumped up.


Second, the Fed tapering programme has its role to play in our daily lives. Any good news, like the announcement that more jobs have been created in the USA, leads to the conclusion that the tapering will start soon, even though the unemployment rate has inched up to 7.3%. But this is interpreted as an indicator of further interest rate tightening by the RBI, which, in turn, drives up the rates. But the impact of these measures would be more or less transient for a couple of days and rates should return to equilibrium as these are typically single day sentiments.


Third, movement in exchange rates also impacts the interest rates. While a long-term coefficient of correlation between exchange rates and GSec rates is low at 22%, on a daily basis, the two do move together, especially if the exchange rate moves faster. Therefore a sudden movement of the exchange rate from . 61-62/$ to above $63, automatically gets reflected in the interest rates moving up. This sounds plausible, but should again be mean reverting once the exchange rate corrects. A part of the reason for the rupee to fall in November has been the shifting of part of the OMC purchase of dollars to the market from the RBI. This, combined with the prospect of the closing of the swap window for FCNR deposits, has caused a modicum of panic in the money market too.


Fourth, the reaction of banks with these rates works both ways. When banks raise interest rates, which have been done by some of them, the tendency is for the market to follow suit, which can explain partly the increase in rates. If this is sustained, it will tend to feed back into the system and cause banks to reconsider their options.


Fifth, an explanation given often is profit booking where some entities, be it banks or FIIs are selling and thus making a profit. Excess selling leads security prices to fall and rates to rise, which can contribute to the upward movement. This explanation, however, is not borne out from the trading volumes in GSecs, which has been stable at . 30,000-50,000 crore in the past 8-10 weeks. In fact, in November, when the yields moved up, the total volumes traded were lower. The conclusions that may be drawn are that yields can only partly be explained by factors such as RBI rates or inflation and around 70% of variation is caused by a variety of factors — each one stepping in and out in short phases. While it is hard to pin-point which factor is working decisively from outside, the market will have to factor all of them to cover all options.

Happy Investing!!

We can help. Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)

Leave your comment with mail ID and we will answer them

OR

You can write back to us at PrajnaCapital [at] Gmail [dot] Com

---------------------------------------------

Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds ( ELSS Mutual Funds ) to upto Rs 1 lakh and Save tax under Section 80C.

Invest Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

These links can be used to Purchase Mutual Funds Online that are regular also (Investment, non-tax saving)

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms from all AMCs

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Applications

These Application Forms can be used for buying regular mutual funds also

Some of the best Tax Saving Mutual Funds available ( ELSS Mutual Funds )

  1. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan Invest Online
  2. HDFC TaxSaver Invest Online
  3. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund Invest Online
  4. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund Invest Online
  5. Birla Sun Life Tax Relief '96 Invest Online
  6. IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund Invest Online
  7. SBI Magnum Tax Gain Scheme 1993 Invest Online
  8. Sundaram Tax Saver Invest Online
  9. Edelweiss ELSS Invest Online

------------------

Best Performing Mutual Funds

    1. Largecap Funds Invest Online
      1. DSP BlackRock Top 100 Fund
      2. ICICI Prudential Focused Blue Chip Fund
      3. Birla Sun Life Front Line Equity Fund
    2. Large and Midcap Funds Invest Online
      1. ICICI Prudential Dynamic Plan
      2. HDFC Top 200 Fund
      3. UTI Dividend Yield Fund
    1. Mid and SmallCap Funds Invest Online
      1. Reliance Equity Opportunities Fund
      2. DSP BlackRock Small & Midcap Fund
      3. Sundaram Select Midcap
      4. IDFC Premier Equity Fund
    1. Small and MicroCap Funds Invest Online
      1. DSP BlackRock MicroCap Fund
    1. Sector Funds Invest Online
      1. Reliance Banking Fund
      2. Reliance Banking Fund
    1. Tax Saver MutualFunds Invest Online
      1. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan
      2. HDFC Taxsaver
      3. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund
      4. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund
    2. Gold Mutual Funds Invest Online
      1. Relaince Gold Savings Fund
      2. ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
      3. HDFC Gold Fund

FMPs Offer Tax Advantage over Fixed Deposits

Posted: 06 Dec 2013 03:22 AM PST

Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)

 

 

Some funds now offer an exit option at regular intervals, making FMPs liquid



Bank fixed deposits (
FDs) are one of the most popular investment vehicles in India. One of the prime reasons for this popularity is that FDs give guaranteed returns. If you keep Rs 10,000 in a bank FD for one year at 10% rate of interest, at the end of the year you will almost definitely get Rs 11,000 from the bank. Another reason for this popularity could be attributed to investors' lack of knowledge about other products which are equally good or even better than FDs in some respect.


One such product is a fixed maturity plan (
FMPs), a type of debt mutual fund with a fixed tenure that has gained popularity in the last two years, more so after the rate of interest in the economy went up to keep pace with the rising rate of inflation.


FMPs are debt mutual fund schemes with a maturity ranging from as little as 15 days to several years. However, the popular ones are usually of 365 days or a little more. In these funds once you invest your money, although all are listed, but the exit opportunities are very low.


FMPs invest in debt market instruments like treasury bills, bonds, government securities, money market instruments which have very short-term fixed tenures. Usually, FMPs provide capital protection along with appreciation. Although FMPs can be both open- and closeended, but most in India are closed-ended ones.


Until last year, fund houses were not allowed to disclose instruments where funds are getting invested through FMPs. In order to make investors calculate the yield that FMP investments would generate, Sebi has allowed AMC's to disclose the portfolio. Returns in FMPs are considered to be indicative and not assured (like FDs) because returns from FMPs depend on the returns of instruments that FMPs invest in.


The tenure of an FMP directly depends on the maturity period of instruments where the funds are invested. For example, if a 91-day FMP is invested in 95% in Treasury bills, then the fund's yield will be arrived at based on returns that these Treasury bills generate during this period of time.


There is another class of FMP that is gaining popularity of late called interval funds. In these FMPs, unlike the pure-play ones, investors get exit opportunities at fixed intervals. Interval funds are FMPs that have lock-in periods of a quarter, half a year or a year with maturities on specific dates. Investments in such funds could be utilized for planned expenses like children's school fees, insurance premiums. Since these funds are locked-in for fixed periods, there is no fear of spending these funds for day-to-day expenses and also will come handy at the right time instead of looking out for funds at the last minute.


Although bank FDs and FMPs are both similar in the sense that while investing in them you kind of know the returns, but the guarantee of returns in FDs is not there in FMPs. Instead, you can only get
an indicative return from FMPs. Also you can look into the portfolio in which your money is being invested and have a good idea about the risks associated with your investment in FMPs.


Reasons for investing in FMPs


One of the main drivers for investing in FMPs is the tax efficiency compared to other similar investments. However, to gain the tax advantage you should invest in FMPs of one-year tenure or more. If you invest in FMPs of less than one year, the gains will be added to your total income and taxed at the income tax slab you are in.


One the other hand, if you invest in March of one year and stay invested till April of the following year, that is about 400 days, you get to enjoy double-indexation benefit. And what's even better, if after double indexation you witness a loss, you can also set off such losses against any other short- or long-term capital loss over the next eight years

Happy Investing!!

We can help. Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)

Leave your comment with mail ID and we will answer them

OR

You can write back to us at PrajnaCapital [at] Gmail [dot] Com

---------------------------------------------

Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds ( ELSS Mutual Funds ) to upto Rs 1 lakh and Save tax under Section 80C.

Invest Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

These links can be used to Purchase Mutual Funds Online that are regular also (Investment, non-tax saving)

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms from all AMCs

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Applications

These Application Forms can be used for buying regular mutual funds also

Some of the best Tax Saving Mutual Funds available ( ELSS Mutual Funds )

  1. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan Invest Online
  2. HDFC TaxSaver Invest Online
  3. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund Invest Online
  4. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund Invest Online
  5. Birla Sun Life Tax Relief '96 Invest Online
  6. IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund Invest Online
  7. SBI Magnum Tax Gain Scheme 1993 Invest Online
  8. Sundaram Tax Saver Invest Online
  9. Edelweiss ELSS Invest Online

------------------

Best Performing Mutual Funds

    1. Largecap Funds Invest Online
      1. DSP BlackRock Top 100 Fund
      2. ICICI Prudential Focused Blue Chip Fund
      3. Birla Sun Life Front Line Equity Fund
    2. Large and Midcap Funds Invest Online
      1. ICICI Prudential Dynamic Plan
      2. HDFC Top 200 Fund
      3. UTI Dividend Yield Fund
    1. Mid and SmallCap Funds Invest Online
      1. Reliance Equity Opportunities Fund
      2. DSP BlackRock Small & Midcap Fund
      3. Sundaram Select Midcap
      4. IDFC Premier Equity Fund
    1. Small and MicroCap Funds Invest Online
      1. DSP BlackRock MicroCap Fund
    1. Sector Funds Invest Online
      1. Reliance Banking Fund
      2. Reliance Banking Fund
    1. Tax Saver MutualFunds Invest Online
      1. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan
      2. HDFC Taxsaver
      3. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund
      4. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund
    2. Gold Mutual Funds Invest Online
      1. Relaince Gold Savings Fund
      2. ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
      3. HDFC Gold Fund

What is Inflation Indexation?

Posted: 06 Dec 2013 01:18 AM PST

Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)

 

 


Popularly termed as indexation in finance, it points to a process where the terminal value of an investment is adjusted for the rate of inflation. In mutual funds, debt schemes enjoy indexation benefits and thus the incidence of tax on the final value of a debt fund could be adjusted to pay lower tax. Equity funds, on the other hand, enjoy full tax exemption for investments of more than one year and hence no indexation benefit kicks in here

Happy Investing!!

We can help. Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India)

Leave your comment with mail ID and we will answer them

OR

You can write back to us at PrajnaCapital [at] Gmail [dot] Com

---------------------------------------------

Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds ( ELSS Mutual Funds ) to upto Rs 1 lakh and Save tax under Section 80C.

Invest Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online

These links can be used to Purchase Mutual Funds Online that are regular also (Investment, non-tax saving)

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms from all AMCs

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Applications

These Application Forms can be used for buying regular mutual funds also

Some of the best Tax Saving Mutual Funds available ( ELSS Mutual Funds )

  1. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan Invest Online
  2. HDFC TaxSaver Invest Online
  3. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund Invest Online
  4. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund Invest Online
  5. Birla Sun Life Tax Relief '96 Invest Online
  6. IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund Invest Online
  7. SBI Magnum Tax Gain Scheme 1993 Invest Online
  8. Sundaram Tax Saver Invest Online
  9. Edelweiss ELSS Invest Online

------------------

Best Performing Mutual Funds

    1. Largecap Funds Invest Online
      1. DSP BlackRock Top 100 Fund
      2. ICICI Prudential Focused Blue Chip Fund
      3. Birla Sun Life Front Line Equity Fund
    2. Large and Midcap Funds Invest Online
      1. ICICI Prudential Dynamic Plan
      2. HDFC Top 200 Fund
      3. UTI Dividend Yield Fund
    1. Mid and SmallCap Funds Invest Online
      1. Reliance Equity Opportunities Fund
      2. DSP BlackRock Small & Midcap Fund
      3. Sundaram Select Midcap
      4. IDFC Premier Equity Fund
    1. Small and MicroCap Funds Invest Online
      1. DSP BlackRock MicroCap Fund
    1. Sector Funds Invest Online
      1. Reliance Banking Fund
      2. Reliance Banking Fund
    1. Tax Saver MutualFunds Invest Online
      1. ICICI Prudential Tax Plan
      2. HDFC Taxsaver
      3. DSP BlackRock Tax Saver Fund
      4. Reliance Tax Saver (ELSS) Fund
    2. Gold Mutual Funds Invest Online
      1. Relaince Gold Savings Fund
      2. ICICI Prudential Regular Gold Savings Fund
      3. HDFC Gold Fund

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