Ruchi SrivastavaIndex funds have become increasingly popular among investors of all levels, from beginners to experts. Their appeal lies in their low costs and easy management. However, many people still don’t fully understand what index funds are and how they work. This Blog aims to demystify index funds, offering a comprehensive overview and shedding light on why they are increasingly becoming a preferred choice for many investors.
In an index fund, as stated by Shaily Gang, Head Products, TATA Asset Management the index follows a set of rules to pick and decide how much weight each stock should have in a specific group of stocks. On the other hand, in an active portfolio, the fund manager makes decisions based on their own criteria for each stock, which can vary. Just as an investor might want to spread their investments between two different funds managed by different people, it could be smart to spread investments between active and passive investing methods.
What are Index Funds?
An Index Fund is a special kind of investment fund that follows how well a certain stock market index is doing. It works like a mutual fund or an exchange-traded fund (ETF) and copies the performance of a particular stock market index, such as the Nifty 50, S&P 500, or Dow Jones Industrial Average. Index Funds offer a simple way for investors to get broad market exposure at a low cost. They’re a good choice for beginners or anyone who wants to spread their investments without much hassle.
Index funds keep things simple by following a passive management approach. Studies have found that very few investors or funds can consistently beat the market over a long period. So, instead of trying to pick the best stocks or time to buy, index funds just copy the stock market itself. They always stay invested in the whole market, aiming to match its performance. Unlike other funds, index funds don’t try to outperform the market; they aim to get returns that are as close as possible to the market index.
Types of Index Funds
- Broad Market Index Funds – These index funds mimic large market indexes, like the Nifty 50 or S&P 500, giving investors access to many different types of stocks from various industries.
- Factor-Based or Smart Beta Index Funds – These funds utilize particular factors such as value, size, or momentum to determine the weighting of stocks in the index, to surpass conventional market-cap-weighted indexes.
- Market Capitalization Index Funds – These funds mirror the composition of an index according to the market value of its component stocks, assigning greater weight to larger companies.
- Equal Weight Index Funds – In contrast to market-cap-weighted funds, these index funds distribute an identical weight to every stock in the index, providing more evenly distributed exposure across companies irrespective of their size.
- Debt Index Funds – These funds follow bond market indexes, giving investors access to a varied assortment of bonds with different maturities and credit ratings.
- Sector-Based Index Funds – These funds concentrate on particular sectors or industries, like technology, healthcare, or energy, enabling investors to tailor their investments according to sector performance.
- Custom Index Funds – These funds are personalized to fulfill particular investment goals or standards, frequently crafted by asset managers or institutional investors to match their distinct strategies or preferences.
Best Index Funds to Invest in 2024
| Scheme Name | Plan | Category Name | Crisil Rank | AuM (Cr) | YTM | 1W | 1M | 3M | 6M | YTD | 1Y | 2Y | 3Y |
| Navi NASDAQ 100 Fund of Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 940.34 | 0.00 | 4% | 0% | 2% | 19% | 8% | 39% | 24% | – |
| Navi NASDAQ 100 Fund of Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 0.00 | NA | 4% | 0% | 2% | 19% | 8% | 39% | 24% | – |
| ICICI Prudential NASDAQ 100 Index Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 1,149.50 | 0.00 | 4% | 0% | 2% | 18% | 8% | 39% | 24% | – |
| ICICI Prudential NASDAQ 100 Index Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 0.00 | NA | 4% | 0% | 2% | 18% | 8% | 39% | 24% | – |
| Motilal Oswal S&P 500 Index Fund – Direct Plan Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 3,289.85 | 0.00 | 3% | 0% | 5% | 19% | 9% | 29% | 17% | 12% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Next 50 Index Fund – Direct plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 208.06 | 0.00 | 0% | 3% | 12% | 41% | 21% | 61% | 27% | 22% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty 50 Index Fund – Direct plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | 2 | 451.19 | 0.00 | -1% | -2% | 3% | 15% | 3% | 23% | 18% | 16% |
| Invesco India Nifty G-Sec Sep 2032 Index Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 42.50 | 7.21 | 1% | 1% | 1% | 5% | 3% | 7% | – | – |
| Invesco India Nifty G-Sec Jul 2027 Index Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 65.28 | 7.18 | 0% | 1% | 1% | 4% | 2% | 7% | – | – |
| Motilal Oswal S&P BSE Financials ex Bank 30 Index Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 11.49 | 0.00 | -1% | -2% | 1% | 15% | 6% | 38% | – | – |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Bank Index Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 557.62 | 0.00 | -3% | -1% | 7% | 10% | -1% | 11% | 18% | 14% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 589.25 | 0.00 | -3% | 1% | 1% | 23% | 10% | 61% | 32% | 27% |
| Axis Nifty 100 Index Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 1,363.98 | 0.00 | -1% | -1% | 4% | 19% | 6% | 29% | 19% | 17% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty 500 Index Fund – Direct Plan – Growth | Direct Plan | Index Funds/ETFs | – | 740.88 | 0.00 | -1% | -1% | 3% | 20% | 7% | 35% | 22% | 19% |
How does Index Fund work?
Index funds work by investing in a collection of securities that match a chosen index. This approach, known as passive investing, removes the necessity for frequent buying and selling of stocks, leading to reduced transaction expenses and management fees. Through maintaining a diversified portfolio of securities, index funds help to distribute risk and offer investors access to a broad array of assets.
For Example – There is an Index Fund that tracks the Nifty 50 index, which consists of 50 large-cap stocks traded on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The Nifty 50 represents a diverse snapshot of the Indian stock market. Investors who want to mirror the performance of the Nifty 50 index can invest in this index fund. When they put money into the fund, it gets combined with funds from other investors. The fund manager then uses this pool of money to buy shares of the 50 companies listed in the Nifty 50 index, following the same proportions as the index.
For Instance, if a certain stock makes up 5% of the Nifty 50 index, the index fund will allocate about 5% of its assets to that stock. By holding shares in the same proportion as the index, the index fund aims to closely mirror the performance of the Nifty 50.
As the prices of the stocks within the Nifty 50 index go up and down, the value of the index fund’s holdings will also fluctuate. If the Nifty 50 index rises by 5%, ideally, the value of the index fund should also increase by a similar percentage (minus any fees or tracking discrepancies).
What are the Risk Factors Associated with Index Funds?
- Market Risk – Index funds remain susceptible to market fluctuations and volatility whenever the financial market undergoes a downturn. Resulting in the value of the Index Funds may likewise decline.
- Tracking Error – Index funds strive to mirror the performance of their benchmark index, yet they might not perfectly align due to factors such as fees, expenses, and trading distinctions. This variation is termed tracking error.
- Sector Concentration Risk – Certain index funds may exhibit significant concentration in specific sectors or industries. If these sectors perform poorly, it could adversely affect the fund’s returns.
- Liquidity Risk – While index funds generally offer liquidity, there might be situations where swiftly buying or selling shares becomes challenging, particularly for funds tracking less liquid markets or asset classes.
- Dividend Risk – Alterations in dividend policies among companies within the index can impact the returns of dividend-focused index funds.
- Underperformance Risk – Despite aiming to replicate the performance of their benchmark index, index funds face the risk of underperformance due to tracking errors or other variables.
Conclusion
In summary, index funds provide a straightforward yet effective investment approach for investors aiming for diversification, cost-effectiveness, and reliable performance. By passively mirroring market indices, these funds serve as a solid cornerstone for constructing a diversified investment portfolio. Whether you’re new to investing or experienced, integrating index funds into your investment strategy can assist you in reaching your long-term financial objectives with assurance and simplicity.
Source – https://www.moneycontrol.com/mutual-funds/performance-tracker/returns/index-fundsetfs.html
To know more about investment in Flex Funds check – https://insightfulpeek.com/flex-funds-significance-investment-potential-and-role-in-the-financial-world/
To know about investment in stocks – https://insightfulpeek.com/top-stocks-that-can-give-you-19-to-35-returns-in-2024/
Sip Investment –https://insightfulpeek.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-invest-in-sip-for-beginners/
Investment in Dynamic Funds https://insightfulpeek.com/what-are-dynamic-funds-working-mechanism-and-investment-opportunity-in-2024/
I pay a quick visit every day some sites and blogs to read posts, except this website
provides quality based content.!