What are hybrid mutual funds and how are they taxed?
Every investor is
different. There are some who like taking risks and enjoy the potential of high
returns. On the other hand, there are some who are very conservative in terms
of taking risks. They don’t mind the low returns as long as they are assured of
capital security. Then there are those who are in the middle of the risk
spectrum. They are not too aggressive neither too conservative. They look for
moderate risks with moderate returns.
To suit the
investment preference of these different types of investors, mutual funds come
in different variants. One such variant is the hybrid mutual fund which is
suitable for moderate investors who lie in the middle of the risk spectrum.
Let’s understand the concept of hybrid mutual funds and their tax implications
–
What are hybrid mutual funds?
Hybrid funds are
mutual funds which invest in both equity as well as debt instruments. The
return potential of equity investment is added to the stability of debt
investments in hybrid mutual funds giving investors the best of both worlds.
Types of hybrid mutual funds
Hybrid mutual funds are further divided into
different categories based on the asset allocation of the portfolio of the
fund. These sub-categories of hybrid funds include the following –
Balanced funds
Balanced funds are
those funds where at least 65% of the portfolio is invested in equity and
equity-oriented instruments. The remaining is invested in debt and money market
instruments.
Monthly Income Plans
These funds are
those which invest at least 65% of their portfolio in debt and debt related
instruments. 15% to 20% of the portfolio is invested in equity. Monthly Income
Plans (MIPs) allow investors regular returns through dividends. Investors can
choose the frequency of receiving dividends based on their requirements.
Moreover, there is also a growth option where, instead of receiving regular
dividends, the portfolio grows as per the market movements. So, MIPs might give
regular incomes or might not depending on the fund option the investor chooses.
Arbitrage funds
In these funds, the
fund manager buys the assets of the portfolio in the cash market and sells them
in futures or derivatives market at a higher price to generate returns. If,
however, arbitrage opportunities are not available, the fund managers invest in
debt instruments or cash.
Taxation of hybrid funds
The tax treatment of
investing in hybrid funds depends on the asset allocation of the fund. If the
fund is equity-oriented, it is treated as an equity mutual fund and taxed
accordingly. If, on the other hand, if the fund invests 65% or more of its
assets in debts, the fund is treated as a debt mutual fund and taxed
accordingly. So, here are the tax implications of different hybrid funds –
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