One of the biggest fears of every investor in the share market is volatility. They often make bad investment decisions when the stock market is choppy, leading to heavy losses. There is absolutely no doubt that investment in the Indian stock market is a good option from a long-term perspective. However, if an investor wants to avoid the Indian stock market’s volatility, he can invest in various other avenues. There are many investment options other than equities that are available in the market. In this article, we list five investment options other than equities to help you overcome share market volatility.
National Savings Certificate
Those investors who want to diversify their investment portfolio can invest in a National Savings Certificate (NSC). NSC has a lock-in period of 5 years and is considered a good investment option for conservative investors who want consistency in returns. For investors looking for a tax deduction for saving tax, it is advisable to invest in the National Savings Scheme, where they get tax deductions under section 80 C of up to Rs. 1.5 lakh.
Monthly Income Funds
Monthly income funds are those investment avenues that invest 16% to 30% of the total investment into equities and remaining in debt securities. It is an ideal investment option for those who want a steady income. If the investment period is less, it is advisable to invest in less risky investment products of monthly income funds.
Balanced Funds
As they say, ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket,’ same goes with your investments. It is always a good idea to make a diversified portfolio. Balanced funds are such funds that provide a perfect combination of equity and debt. If you are looking for long-term asset allocation, balanced funds are ideal for you. If your goal is making long-term wealth, you must ignore the current stock market volatility and invest systematically in balanced funds. This investment will test your patience on various occasions. But not falling into the volatility of the market is the key. Reviewing the investment in balanced funds yearly is one of the best strategies to beat such fluctuations.
Fixed Income Bonds
Investors who want returns up to 10% in one year with lesser risk can invest in fixed-income bonds such as NCDs and corporate bonds. Often, fixed-income bonds generate more return than equities if the investment period is 1 to 3 years.
Tax Savings Instruments
If you are looking to save on tax, Tax Saving Instruments like PPF are good investment options. Such products are popular because they are EEE (exempt-exempt-exempt), and the government backs products like PPF. For availing the tax deduction under section 80 C of up to Rs. 1.50 lakhs, PPF can be coupled with ELSS as an asset allocation strategy. Furthermore, the recent 8% rate declared on PPF makes it attractive along with the EEE status.
Conclusion
Indian stock market provides ample opportunities for long-term investment. However, it is equally important to diversify your investments to safeguard against volatility. The above investment options will help in protecting the capital and generating wealth over a period of time.
