“CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF MUTUAL FUND SCHEMES PUBLIC VS PRIVATE”

Abstract

Mutual funds, as the name indicates is the fund where in numerous investors come together to invest in various schemes of mutual fund. Mutual funds are dynamic institution, which plays a crucial role in an economy by mobilizing savings and investing them in the capital market, thus establishing a link between savings and the capital market. A mutual fund is an institution that invests the pooled funds of public to create a diversified portfolio of securities. Pooling is the key to mutual fund investing. Each mutual fund has a specific investment objective and tries to meet that objective through active portfolio management. This paper deals with comparative study of critical analysis of the private Vs public mutual funds schemes for the period of April 2012 to March 2013.

Mutual funds, as the name indicates is the fund where in numerous investors come together to invest in various schemes of mutual fund. Mutual funds are dynamic institution, which plays a crucial role in an economy by mobilizing savings and investing them in the capital market, thus establishing a link between savings and the capital market. A mutual fund is an institution that invests the pooled funds of public to create a diversified portfolio of securities. Pooling is the key to mutual fund investing. Each mutual fund has a specific investment objective and tries to meet that objective through active portfolio management.

Mutual fund as an investment company combines or collects money of its shareholders and invests those funds in variety of stocks, bonds, and money market instruments. The latter include securities, commercial papers, certificates of deposits, etc. Mutual funds provide the investor with professional management of funds and diversification of investment. Investors who invest in mutual funds are provided with units to participate in stock markets. These units are investment vehicle that provide a means of participation in the stock market for people who have neither the time, nor the money, nor perhaps the expertise to undertake the direct investment in equities. On the other hand they also provide a route into specialist markets where direct investment often demands both more time and more knowledge than an investor may possess.

The price of units in any mutual fund is governed by the value of underlying securities. The value of an investor’s holding in a unit can therefore, like an investment in share, can go down as well as up. Hence it is said that mutual funds are subjected to market risk. Mutual fund cannot guarantee a fixed rate of return. It depends on the market condition. If the particular scheme is performing well then more return can be expected. It also depends on the fund manager expertise knowledge. It is also seen that people invest in particular funds depending on who the fund manager is.