Gold Mutual Funds

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A beginner’s guide on Gold Mutual Funds in India

Key Takeaways

• Gold Mutual Funds are open-ended Mutual Funds.
• They invest in Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
• One unit of Gold Mutual Fund equals one gram of physical Gold.
• Investing in Gold Mutual Funds is cheaper than buying physical Gold.
• Gold Mutual Funds attract capital gains tax.

Since times immemorial, gold has been an asset used to trade commodities. Owning gold was a symbol of wealth. Today, the market offers several investment options that let you purchase gold in various forms, including gold jewellery, gold coins, e-gold and Gold Mutual Funds. This article is a beginner’s guide on Gold Mutual Funds, how it works and their many benefits.

Gold Mutual Funds – Meaning

Gold Mutual Funds are types of Mutual Fund investments that invest in gold bullion, i.e., physical gold coins and bars, without you having to buy gold physically. Gold prices tend to rise during falling markets, making Gold Funds an ideal addition to your investment portfolio.

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How Do Gold Mutual Funds Work?

Gold Funds in India invests the pool of money in Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). A type of Fund of Funds (FOF), Fund Managers actively manage Gold Mutual Funds. A single unit of Gold Mutual Funds is equivalent to 1 gram of physical Gold. Investors typically increase their Gold Fund investments during bearish market trends.

Benefits of Investing in Gold Mutual Funds India

Market Performance

The gold sector is inversely proportional to the equity market, i.e., when the market falls, gold prices increase. Therefore, the best Gold Mutual Funds serve as excellent protection against market downfalls. Gold is also an ideal investment vehicle if you aim to beat inflation.

Affordability

If you compare physical gold and Gold Mutual Funds, the latter is more affordable. You can buy gold funds with investment amounts as low as INR 500. Plus, you do not pay making charges as you would to gold jewellers.

Security

Gold Mutual Funds in India are electronic investments wherein physical gold units are stored in highly secure vaults. Thus, you need not worry about storing or thefts associated with physical gold. Moreover, you can use Gold Mutual Funds as collateral for loans.

Purity

Gold jewellery is typically not 100% pure. It contains other elements to stabilise the gold. Fund Managers buy gold units of only bullion of the maximum purity, certified by the World Gold Council.

Things to consider when investing in gold

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Things To Consider

• Returns: When the market rises, investors turn to equity investments as they offer higher returns. Therefore, gold may not yield good returns at the time. Gold Funds do not provide dividends as well.
• Cost: Gold Mutual Funds in India invest in Gold ETFs, that purchase gold bullion. Therefore, each investment cost adds up, increasing the overall expense ratio.
• Longer Investment Tenures: While Gold Funds help diversify your investment portfolio, you need to stay invested for the longer term in order to get optimum value out of your investment.
• Taxation: You have to pay a Short-term Capital Gains (STCG) tax per your tax slab on redeeming your Golf Funds within 3 years. Conversely, Long-term Capital Gains (LTCG) of 20% with indexation benefits applies on Gold Funds gains redeemed after 3 years.

Conclusion

Gold Mutual Funds are one of the safest modes of investing in gold without bearing the many costs associated with physical gold. If you are looking for ways to invest in inflation-proof instruments, Gold Mutual Funds are for you.

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*Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. We recommend you get in touch with your income tax advisor or CA for expert advice.