Liquid vs Short Term vs Ultra Short vs Gilt Debt Funds

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Debt funds are the ideal investment option for those who want higher returns but at a lower risk. These funds are generally mutual funds having low volatility. Debt funds invest in fixed-interest generating securities. These can be corporate bonds, treasury bills, government securities, commercial paper, etc. There are several types of debt funds which are discussed below.

Liquid fund

  • Liquid funds do not give negative returns. Hence, these are risk-free debt funds.
  • Liquid funds have a maturity of 91 days or less.
  • It gives a higher return than a bank savings account. Moreover, it provides better liquidity. The reason is that most companies offer instant redemption of liquid funds.

Short term fund

  • The maturity of short term funds ranges from 1 year to 3 years.
  • It provides steady returns. Moreover, these funds are a low-risk investment as they remain unaffected by interest rate movements. However, it provides lower liquidity than liquid funds.

Ultra short term fund

  • These funds are similar to short term funds.
  • The only difference is that the investment period is shorter. The maturity period for ultra short term funds is 3 months to 6 months.
  • It provides a lower return than the other debt funds. However, these funds are less risky.

Gilt fund

  • These are ideal for risk-averse investors.
  • The gilt fund invests only in Government bonds and securities.
  • It can be considered as one of the safest investment options.
  • There is low credit risk in such funds.

Corporate bond fund

  • It invests only in bonds issued by corporate companies.
  • Corporate bonds are ideal for long term investment.
  • It is relatively a safe option for investment for 1 year to 4 years.

Credit risk fund

  • These debt funds invest in bonds with lower ratings. It means that the credit risk fund investment is risky.
  • There is a chance of default. However, it can deliver a higher return in case of long term investment.

Overnight fund

  • As the name suggests, the overnight funds mature in 1 day.
  • It generally invests in CBLOs, overnight reverse Repos, overnight securities, etc.
  • It is a safe investment option. However, it usually delivers low returns than other debt funds. 

The debt funds are a low-cost investment option that can help you fulfill your financial goals. It can help you to generate wealth in the long run. Debt funds involve a lower risk than equity funds. But you should always consider the pros and cons before investing.

 

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