Some of the popular ways to invest in gold via mutual funds are -
Gold mutual funds provide you with the opportunity to tap into the potential of the precious metal without the hassle of physical ownership. These funds actively invest in physical gold or gold-related securities, such as gold ETFs. The fund manager manages the portfolio actively and aims to capture the price movements of gold.
Gold mutual funds operate within the framework of a fund-of-funds structure. When you allocate funds to these mutual funds, asset management companies (AMCs) utilize the capital to acquire units of gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which, in turn, directly invest in physical gold.
Following this, the fund house proportionally assigns units to investors based on their investments in the scheme. A surge in gold prices corresponds to a parallel growth in the value of investments.
The benefits of gold mutual funds are as follows -
1. Professional Management
Gold mutual funds are actively managed by experienced fund managers who specialize in monitoring and analyzing the gold market. These professionals make strategic decisions to optimize returns based on their assessment of market conditions, economic trends, and geopolitical factors. The active management can potentially lead to better performance than passive investment options.
2. Liquidity
Unlike physical gold, which may require time-consuming processes for buying and selling, gold mutual funds offer high liquidity. You can easily buy or sell them, and thus they provide quick access to your investment capital. This liquidity is particularly advantageous for those needing to adjust their investment positions swiftly.
3. Affordability
Investing in physical gold often requires a significant upfront investment. Gold mutual funds, however, allow you to gain exposure to the gold market with relatively smaller amounts of capital. This affordability makes gold mutual funds accessible to a broader range of investors, democratizing access to gold as an asset class.
4. Cost Efficiency
Gold mutual funds can be a cost-effective way to invest in gold. While there may be management fees and expense ratios associated with these funds, they are often lower than the costs and logistics associated with purchasing and storing physical gold. The economies of scale achieved by pooling multiple investors' resources contribute to cost efficiency.
5. Gold ETFs
Another way to invest in gold is through Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs). A Gold ETF is a distinctive hybrid of a stock and a mutual fund. It operates as an open-ended mutual fund with stock price fluctuations in real time on the stock exchange, mirroring the pricing dynamics of physical gold.
You can purchase and sell Gold ETFs on the stock market. On the other hand, you can buy or redeem mutual funds at the close of each trading day, determined by their Net Asset Value (NAV).
Gold ETFs bring the following benefits to the table:-
1. Accessibility and Affordability
Gold ETFs make investing in gold accessible to a broader range of investors. They trade on stock exchanges like any other stock, allowing you to purchase and sell them easily. This accessibility is particularly advantageous for those who may not have the financial means or storage capabilities to invest in physical gold.
2. High Liquidity
Gold ETFs offer you with high liquidity. This is because they can be bought or sold on the stock exchange at market prices throughout the trading day. This liquidity ensures that you can quickly enter or exit your positions, offering flexibility and ease of transaction compared to physical gold.
3. Transparency
Gold ETFs offer transparency in terms of holdings and pricing. You can easily track the ETF's net asset value (NAV) and view the composition of the fund's assets. This transparency provides clarity and helps you make informed decisions based on real-time market information.
Investing in gold through mutual funds offers a dynamic and accessible avenue for you to capitalize on the enduring allure of this precious metal. The benefits of diversification, liquidity, professional management, and affordability make gold mutual funds an attractive option in a well-rounded investment portfolio.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates gold funds, making them one of the safest investment options. SEBI continuously keeps an eye on the condition of these funds, enabling investors to measure and predict their returns.
The minimum investment amount differs across asset management companies (AMCs). Consult the respective AMC to know the minimum amount.
Yes, you can. You can continuously buy and sell Gold ETFs on the cash segment of BSE & NSE, just like trading any other company stock, at prevailing market prices.