Investment strategies for 2009

Depending on how you choose to look at it, 2009 could either be the harbinger of more bad news or offer a plethora of opportunities. While an economic slowdown, turbulent market conditions and job/pay cuts will, no doubt, test your resilience, opportunities may come knocking in the form of correction in realty prices, lower interest rates on loans and attractive valuations of blue-chip stocks.

To capitalise on the opportunities and tackle the challenges during the year, you need to stick to an investment strategy based on your long-term goals and risk profile. Here are a few guidelines to help you frame one:

25 To 30-Year-Old Singletons

Irrespective of the age bracket you belong to, health insurance should figure prominently in your must-have list. The need for life insurance for this category, however, will arise only if you have dependents. “In addition, you need to create a contingency fund, because this year, increments will be hard to come by, and the sword of job cuts will continue to hang over employees’ heads,” points out certified financial planner Amar Pandit.

While this piece of advice will be applicable to all classes of investors, youngsters who have just started their careers need to take it seriously as unlike other age groups, they may not have the luxury of existing investments to cushion the impact of tough times. Also, you will need to be thrifty when it comes to spending on consumption needs.

You should strive to save around 40% of your income and direct most of it towards investments — mainly equities. “Although the asset allocation depends upon one’s risk profile and other needs, generally speaking, youngsters can take advantage of their youth and relatively fewer financial responsibilities to take on more risk and participate in long-term capital appreciation,” says Kartik Varma, co-founder, iTrust.in, a financial planning firm.

30 To 45-Year-Olds with Kids

The major long-term goals for this category are buying a house, funding children’s education and providing for retirement. “If you are planning to buy a house, it’s better to wait for six months as prices are likely to correct further by 25%. If you do decide to buy one, ensure that you don’t overstretch yourself. For instance, if a 2BHK flat fits into your budget, don’t go for a 3BHK assuming that you will be able to manage the EMI payout,” cautions Mr Pandit.

If your take-home salary is Rs 1,00,000 per month, the EMI outflow should account for less than Rs 30,000-40,000. Also, go for a joint home loan with your spouse, if possible. Not only will it enhance the loan amount you are eligible for, it will also maximise the tax benefits under Section 80C on the interest amount repaid.

“For children’s education, one can consider child unit-linked insurance plans (Ulip) or high-growth equity funds,” advises Dhruv Agarwala, co-founder, iTrust.in. The longer investment horizon (assuming that the funds will be required after 8-10 years) makes equities a viable option. The equity-to-debt ratio for the purpose could be 75:25.

Same will also hold true for retirement planning. At this age, retirement will be nearly 15 years away, which means you can invest in equities. Investment in public provident fund (PPF) is also advisable – apart from being a safe avenue, it also offers a return of 8% per annum. “You can consider real estate too, but only after parking substantial funds in equities, debt and gold,” adds Mr Pandit. Besides, you shouldn’t forget life insurance, which is an important tool for providing for dependents in the event of an untimely demise, especially in uncertain times like these.

Senior Citizens

While health insurance is an important instrument for all age brackets, for senior citizens, it is simply indispensable.

“However, if you do not have a pre-existing policy, you may find it difficult to obtain a suitable one at this juncture. In such cases, you should create a corpus dedicated to meeting your healthcare expenses. Fixed deposits and money market funds, which offer the dual benefit of safety and liquidity, should make up this reserve,” says Mr Varma. These instruments can also provide for your other short-term needs. This apart, 9% senior citizens’ savings scheme and post-office time deposits that promise safety as well as regular income should form part of your portfolio.

Many senior citizens are risk-averse and it’s better to stay that way in 2009. However, if you have surplus funds and additional income streams like rent or pension, you can consider equity and balanced funds to provide for capital appreciation. “What you should completely avoid is life insurance, especially Ulips. “We’ve seen 55-year-old individuals buying Ulips, which, apart from being expensive, are simply not required at this age,” says Mr Pandit.

Source:Economictimes