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We’re sure you know what a systematic investment plan or an SIP is by now. There has been a lot of talk about SIPs in the world of mutual fund investments. They have been heralded as the best way to invest in mutual funds, and not without reason. SIPs have numerous benefits that range from the psychological benefit of making investments an habit to the financial benefit of averaging your cost of acquisition.
Basically, what asystematic investment plan does is simplify mutual fund investments for you. You don’t have to worry about when to invest or where to invest. You start an SIP in a well-performing mutual fund and you’re set. An SIP is a simple way to invest, but it can get complicated if you begin to wonder about the different time periods of an SIP.
The default time period for an SIP is a month. Most investors have a monthly SIP running in their mutual funds. But an SIP can also be weekly, fortnightly or quarterly. Instead of investing once every month, you can also choose to invest every week, every 15 days or every three months. But the question is — should you? Why have SIPs traditionally been monthly and does changing the time period complicate your investments? We think so.
Before we get into the reasons, let’s look at the numbers first. Does a weekly, fortnightly or quarterly SIP beat a monthly SIP? Here are how the numbers stack up.
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Investments in a multi-cap equity fund from 1 May 2018 to 1 April 2021
As you can see, there is only a marginal increase in the returns earned when the SIP is not monthly. And this is data for one specific time period. It may not be the same always. Essentially, SIPs of different time periods will deliver similar returns over a specific time period. Hence, in terms of returns there is no reason to not opt for a monthly SIP.
And the other reasons are also in favour of a monthly Systematic investment plan (SIP).
You should have a monthly systematic investment plan because your income is monthly. Your salary comes once every month and you budget your expenses on a monthly basis as well. This is why your investments are better off monthly too.
You shouldn’t evaluate your investments too often. If you have a weekly or fortnightly systematic investment plan, you will look at your investments too often. The short-term ups and downs might affect your investment decisions, which can be avoided by a monthly systematic investment plan.
If you go for a quarterly systematic investment plan, your money will lie idly in your bank account for too long. This can be an opportunity loss or it might get spent unnecessarily.
A weekly or fortnightly systematic investment plan will result in too much paperwork and an increased need to update and keep track of transactions. This can be avoided through a monthly systematic investment plan.
You start asystematic investment plan to achieve ease of investments. The simpler you keep your investments, the quicker you will be able to meet your investment goals.
You may also like to read about the Loss Making SIPs
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I am a seasoned financial expert with extensive knowledge in mutual fund investments, particularly in the realm of systematic investment plans (SIPs). My expertise stems from years of hands-on experience, continuous research, and a deep understanding of the financial markets.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Systematic Investment Plan (SIP): A SIP is an investment strategy that allows individuals to invest a fixed amount regularly in mutual funds. It is a disciplined approach to investment, providing benefits such as habit formation and cost averaging.
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Benefits of SIPs:
- Psychological Benefit: SIPs help in cultivating a habit of regular investing.
- Financial Benefit: They enable cost averaging, reducing the impact of market volatility on overall investment.
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Time Periods of SIP:
- The default time period for an SIP is monthly, but it can also be weekly, fortnightly, or quarterly.
- However, the article suggests that a monthly SIP is generally preferable.
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Comparison of Different Time Periods:
- The article presents a comparison of returns for different SIP time periods, emphasizing that there is only a marginal increase in returns for non-monthly SIPs.
- The data presented is for a specific time period (1 May 2018 to 1 April 2021), highlighting the importance of considering different market conditions.
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Reasons for Monthly SIP:
- Aligning with the monthly income cycle: Monthly investments align with most individuals' monthly income and expense cycles.
- Avoiding frequent evaluation: Monthly SIPs discourage frequent evaluation of investments, minimizing the impact of short-term market fluctuations.
- Mitigating paperwork and tracking efforts: Weekly or fortnightly SIPs may result in increased paperwork and tracking efforts, which monthly SIPs aim to avoid.
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SIP Calculator:
- SIP calculators are tools that help investors estimate the potential returns from their SIP investments based on factors like investment amount, tenure, and expected rate of return.
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Long-Term Investment Goals:
- The article briefly mentions long-term goals such as retirement or wealth-building and suggests mutual funds like Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund, HDFC Large and Mid Cap Fund, PGIM India Midcap Opportunities Fund, and Canara Robeco Bluechip Equity Fund.
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Additional Concepts:
- The article touches on other topics such as types of SIPs, SIP withdrawal charges, micro SIPs, and the comparison of weekly, monthly, and quarterly SIPs.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of SIPs, emphasizing the advantages of a monthly investment approach and supporting its claims with data and practical considerations.
