Courtney C. Lipsey Investors now look to long-term investment options. These options will help you to get good returns and protect yourself from inflation. They may also provide tax benefits. The most popular investment options include:
- Stocks
- Mutual Funds
- Fixed Deposits
- Savings scheme
- Post Office Time Deposit
- Real Estate
- PPF
- National Savings Certificates
- Gold
- REITS
- SIP mutual funds
- ULIPs
- Bonds
- National Pension Scheme
1. Stocks
Stocks are a popular investment, and they can provide you with good returns. To invest in stocks, you need to be familiar with the market. You will lose money if you do not. Before investing in this option for long-term investments that give you good returns, it is important to do extensive research. Stocks come in different types, such as growth stocks, value shares, etc. Stocks can also be filtered by key parameters such as market cap, net income, etc. It is important to know the sector in which the stock falls, such as management, market situation, etc.
2. Mutual Funds
Fund managers manage mutual funds. Mutual funds pool money from investors and invest it in multiple assets such as stocks, bonds, equities, etc. Mutual funds invest in a variety of companies. Diversifying your investments through mutual funds reduces the risk. Mutual funds come in many different types – hybrid, debt, growth, and more. Fund managers filter the best mutual fund for you depending on your investment goals and risk tolerance. Mutual funds are the preferred option for long-term as well as short-term investments. You can also borrow against mutual funds if you invest in mutual funds.
3. Fixed Deposits
In India, FDs are considered to be a safe and secure investment option. The investment is low-risk and offers a good return. Banks, post offices, and non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) offer FDs. The interest is credited regularly and at fixed rates. The interest rates of Fixed Deposits vary between banks and NBFCs. Fixed deposits can be used as collateral for loans or to build up funds reserves.
4. Savings Schemes
The government, financial institutions, and banks back these schemes. These schemes allow you to save your monthly earnings by investing regularly. The money cannot be withdrawn from these schemes during a certain period. These are considered low-risk investment options that yield high returns. Employee Provident Funds (EPF), Senior Citizens Savings Scheme National Pension Schemes (NPS), National Savings Certificates (NSC), Post Office Savings Accounts, etc. There are many well-known savings schemes.
5. Post Office Time Deposit Scheme
Post offices also offer National Savings Time deposits. You can invest your money in these options for short- or medium-term periods. National Savings Time deposits yield higher returns than banks. These are low-risk investment options because the government backs them up. This table shows the returns on Post Office Time Deposits over different periods.
6. Real Estate
Real estate investment is costly but offers the best returns over the long term. This is one of India’s fastest-growing sectors. In India, buying a plot or flat is a great investment. It is possible to rent it out or sell it, as the property value increases every six months. Be sure to take into account all charges, such as registration fees, taxes on property, etc. When buying or selling property, you should consider all the associated costs.
7. PPF
PPF or Public Provident Fund is a long-term savings plan. Tax savings, low risk, and returns are all combined in this scheme. This scheme’s main goal is to provide small returns for individuals who make savings. The minimum investment is Rs. 500. The principal invested, the interest accrued, and the maturity amount are all tax-free.
8. National Savings Certificates
The National Savings Certificate Scheme is an investment program with a fixed return backed by the government. Certificates can be purchased at Indian public and private banks as well as all post offices. The certificate can be purchased for as little as Rs. There is no maximum investment. NSC is locked in for five years. Premature withdrawals are possible if the certificate holder passes away.
9. Gold
In India, gold is a well-known and traditional investment option. Gold is a low-risk investment, acts as a hedge against inflation, and has a high value. It is also considered favorable for investment. You can invest in gold through ornaments such as coins, bars, ETFs, and gold mutual funds. Digital gold is also an option. Before investing in gold, you should thoroughly research each option and make sure that you understand them.
10. REITS
A REIT is a type of investment whereby a company based on real estate investments owns and manages real estate assets that generate income. REITS distributes the revenue generated from the support to their unitholders. REITs offer high returns on investment.
11. SIP Mutual Funds
A systematic investment plan is an example of a mutual fund that allows you to invest a certain amount of money at regular intervals, such as quarterly, monthly, etc. It is easy to do this as you can instruct your bank to debit the funds at a specific interval. You can invest as little as Rs. 500. You need to support long-term and start early. The returns will be maximized. SIP plans allow you to invest in a more disciplined way without worrying about volatility or timing.
12. ULIPs
ULIPs offer consumers the dual benefit of investment and insurance. This plan offers you both a long-term investment and a life insurance policy for your loved ones in the event of an unexpected event such as death. ULIPs can be purchased from any insurance company or bank in India. The premiums paid for ULIPs are split between life insurance and funds of your choosing. You can choose to invest in equities de, BT funds, or a mix of both, depending on your risk appetite and goals. ULIPs are great because you can select the amount of life insurance that you need. The option to withdraw part of your money from the policy and the tax benefits are also perks.
14. Bonds
Bonds are a good investment for companies and governments. These bonds are available at a fixed rate of interest and for a set duration. In India, bonds are considered a low-risk investment option. They are more reliable when the government backs them.
15. National Pension Scheme
The government backs the most popular investment option and offers pension options. The scheme only matures when a person reaches 60 years of age, so the age determines how long the lock-in period will be. You can invest your funds in government securities, stocks, bonds, and other options.
How do you choose the best investment plan?
India offers a wide range of investment opportunities. You should carefully consider your investment options before you choose one. Each investment has a different risk level, and not all investments are suitable for your needs. No investment can meet all of your needs. To reduce your risk, you should invest in multiple sources. This way, you can meet all your investment requirements, and even if a particular investment does not do well, profits from the other assets should be enough to compensate.
Conclusion
It may not be easy to find the best investment plan, but you should always research, read, and understand the options before investing. You will maximize your investment returns.
