Mutual funds have become a popular investment option for individuals looking for an easy way to invest in the stock market. Mutual funds offer the benefit of diversification and professional management, making it a convenient option for investors who do not have the time or expertise to invest in individual stocks. However, there comes a time when investors want to exit their mutual fund investment to either redeem their profits or reallocate their investments. In this blog post, we will explore what is redeem meaning in mutual fund, how to redeem mutual fund online, and how to exit a mutual fund investment.
Redeeming a Mutual Fund
Redeem meaning in mutual fund is selling the units to the fund house or the asset management company (AMC) that manages the mutual fund. When you redeem your mutual fund, you essentially sell your investment in the mutual fund and receive the proceeds in your bank account.
How to Redeem Mutual Fund Online
Redeeming mutual funds online has become an increasingly popular option for investors. Here are the steps of how to redeem mutual fund online:
Step 1: Login to your mutual fund account
To redeem mutual funds online, you must first log in to your mutual fund account on the AMC's website or mobile app. If you do not have an account, you must create one and link your mutual fund investment to your account.
Step 2: Select the mutual fund and the units you want to redeem
Once logged in, you need to select the mutual fund you want to redeem and the number of units you want to redeem. You must also provide the bank account details where you want the proceeds to be credited.
Step 3: Confirm and Submit
After verifying the details, you must confirm and submit the redemption request. The mutual fund units will be redeemed, and the proceeds will be credited to your bank account within a few working days.
Redeeming Mutual Fund Offline
Apart from redeeming mutual funds online, you can also redeem mutual fund offline through the following methods:
- Visit the nearest AMC branch or Investor Service Centre and submit the redemption form.
- Send the redemption form through post to the AMC.
- Submit the redemption request through a registered investment advisor or a broker.
Things to Keep in Mind While Redeeming Mutual Funds
- Redemption Charges: Some mutual funds charge a redemption fee or exit load if you redeem your fund units before a specified period. You should check the mutual fund's scheme information document (SID) for the applicable exit load or redemption charges.
- Tax Implications: When you redeem your mutual fund, you may be liable to pay capital gains tax on your profit. The tax implications will depend on the type of mutual fund and the duration of your investment.
- Timing: Mutual funds are priced based on the Net Asset Value (NAV), calculated at the end of the day. Hence, the redemption request made before the cutoff time will be processed at the NAV of the same day, while the requests made after the cutoff time will be processed at the NAV of the next day.
- Bank Details: You must ensure that you provide the correct bank account details while redeeming your mutual fund, as the proceeds will be credited to the account provided.
- Benefits and Risks of Redeeming Mutual Funds
Benefits of Redeeming Mutual Funds
- Liquidity: Mutual funds provide high liquidity, and investors can easily redeem their mutual fund units and receive the proceeds in their bank account within a few working days.
- Flexibility: Mutual funds offer flexibility, and investors can redeem their mutual funds anytime per their investment goals and financial needs.
- Diversification: Mutual funds offer diversification benefits, and investors can invest in a range of asset classes, such as equity, debt, and gold, through a single investment.
- Easy Exit: Mutual funds provide an easy exit option, and investors can redeem their mutual funds easily without any hassles.
Risks of Redeeming Mutual Funds
- Exit Load: Some mutual funds charge an exit load or redemption fee if investors redeem their funds before a specified period. Investors should check the applicable exit load before redeeming their mutual funds.
- Tax Implications: When investors redeem their mutual funds, they may be liable to pay capital gains tax on their profit. The tax implications will depend on the type of mutual fund and the investment duration.
- Market Volatility: The value of mutual funds is subject to market fluctuations, and investors may face losses if they redeem their mutual funds during a market downturn.
- Opportunity Cost: Redeeming mutual funds means withdrawing the funds from the investment, and investors may miss out on potential gains if they exit the investment too early.
Ways to Exit a Mutual Fund Investment
Depending on the investor's preferences and financial goals, there are various ways to exit a mutual fund investment. Here are some common ways to exit a mutual fund investment:
- Redeem Mutual Fund: As discussed earlier, redeeming mutual funds is a common way to exit a mutual fund investment. Investors can redeem their mutual funds either online or offline as per their convenience.
- Switch Mutual Funds: Investors can also choose to switch their mutual funds from one scheme to another within the same fund house. This option suits investors who want to change their investment strategy or reallocate their investment portfolio.
- Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP): Investors can opt for an SWP, a facility offered by mutual funds that allows investors to withdraw a fixed amount from their mutual fund investment at regular intervals. The SWP facility is suitable for investors who want regular income from their mutual fund investments.
- Maturity of the Scheme: Mutual funds have a specified tenure, and investors can exit their mutual fund investment once the scheme matures. The maturity period varies from scheme to scheme, and investors must check the scheme information document for the maturity date.
Things to Keep in Mind While Exiting a Mutual Fund Investment
- Check the Exit Load: Investors need to check the mutual fund's scheme information document to know about the applicable exit load or redemption charges. Exiting a mutual fund investment before the specified period can attract exit loads.
- Tax Implications: When investors exit their mutual fund investment, they may be liable to pay capital gains tax on their profit. The tax implications will depend on the type of mutual fund and the investment duration. Investors should consult a tax advisor before making any investment decisions.
- Timing: Exiting a mutual fund investment is crucial as it can affect the returns. Investors should exit the mutual fund at an appropriate time to maximize their returns.
- Financial Goals: Investors must consider their financial goals before exiting a mutual fund investment. They should check if their financial goals have been met or if they need to continue investing in mutual funds.
Conclusion
Mutual funds have become a popular investment option for investors who want to invest in the stock market but lack the time or expertise to invest in individual stocks. However, investors may need to exit their mutual fund investment at some point in time, either to redeem their profits or to reallocate their investments. It is always recommended to read the scheme information document carefully and seek professional advice before making investment decisions.