SIP, STP and SWP explained
While we earn, investments are one of the major concerns. We all expect to get the best out of our investments. It is these investments that eventually help us build our dreams. While we make direct investments in share and securities, there are huge risks involved along with a requirement of extensive market research. Thus mutual funds have always been the best while risk and returns are concerned. One can invest in mutual funds through numerous plans such as Systematic Investment Plans and Systematic Transfer Plans in addition to lump-sum investment. Like we invest in installments through SIP and STP, we also have choice to withdraw through Systematic Withdrawal Plan or SWP. Let us understand how these methods work.
Systematic Investment Plans
Under this method, one invests a fixed amount in a mutual fund scheme regularly on a particular date of every month. Benefit of investing through SIP is that one does not have to time the market. There are consistent deposits which lead to investing in the high as well as lowmarket that help you make the best out of the overall opportunities that were not easy to predict in advance. The investors are required to submit onetime request for regular investment in the particular scheme of mutual fund.
A number of advantages one has while investing through the SIP. The essential benefit is having a dedicated and focused approach towards investment. Though there is a tremendous enthusiasm when people enter into the investment markets but fail to make regular investments. However, this plan reduces the burden later on as there is a predefined condition of investing a specific amount every month. So, one achieves an investment discipline. Also, one enjoys investment convenience. Another big advantage is rupee cost averaging. Because you get more units when market is down and lesser units when market is up, it helps to overcome risk of volatility and helps you generating better returns in long term.
So, the SIP system works where you have money in your bank account, and every month a fixed sum is transferred from your bank to the mutual funds.
Systematic Transfer Plans
The STP is a plan where one invests a lump sum amount in a particular scheme, mostly a liquid or money market fund and then transfer a particular amount to some other scheme in a predetermined interval. While the markets being very volatile and you do not want to take a risk with your money in the short term, you can choose to invest in equity mutual funds through systematic transfer plans. Thus, under the volatile market situations, investing in the STP scheme is better as you purchase units of equity funds in staggered manner and at also earn some returnson the balance amount in the liquid fund, where you park your moneyinitially.
Though returns from liquid funds are not very attractive, however you can expect better than what you receive from your saving bank account. Because a specified amount is transferred to the equity fund at a particular interval regularly, it helps in averaging the costs of investors.
So, The STP system involves investing a whole sum of money in mutual funds, mostly a liquid fund and selling some units of the same to further investing in equity mutual funds.
Systematic Withdrawal Plan
One can plan regular monthly incomes through the Systematic Withdrawal Plans. As per your requirement, you can choose to withdraw monthly as well as on quarterly basis. One usually opts for this plan to get a regular income after retirement to maintain cash-flow.
The SWP system works where you want to withdraw a fixed amount of money monthly or quarterly from your mutual funds to your bank account. It is exactly opposite of SIP.
Each opportunity has its own benefits. As per one’s objective and circumstances, one can choose the best option and get the best out of their earning to build their dreams better.
