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As the name suggests, Short term debt funds, also known as short duration funds, are typically Debt Mutual Funds that invest money for a short duration, usually less than 3 years. Also known as Short Term Income Funds, Short term debt funds invest in debt instruments and money market instruments that include Bank papers (also called Certificate of Deposits), government papers(G-secs) and commercial papers (CPs). This Mutual Fund scheme is suitable for investors who prioritise Capital preservation, but also wish to invest for a predominantly longer period to earn good returns over the long term (between 1-3 years). Investors who are willing to invest for a short duration of 1-3 years can look at short term bond funds. Short term debt products can benefit from the interest Accruals in the debt Portfolio and from the tactical exposure to higher duration debt by the respective fund manager.
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Some of the prominent features of short term funds are:
The short term debt funds are highly liquid as the maturity period is short and the investments avenues allow liquidity. Usually, there are no entry and exit loads charged on these funds. However, some short term debt funds do charge an exit load if the exit is made in a few months. So, the investors are suggested to invest wisely considering all the parameters.
When it comes to investing in Mutual Funds, returns are what people actually look for. However, this should not be the only parameter while choosing a best short term Debt fund to invest. In the recent reports, RBI stated that the investors would earn better returns by Investing in short to mid-term funds that invest in instruments having a maturity between of one to five years. Generally, the fund managers handling such funds prefer investing in high credit rating securities. Thus, ensuring the least possibility of Default by the issuers providing safety to investors’ capital. Currently, short term debt funds with a maturity period of one-three years give annualised returns of 9-10% p.a. Investors should not just chase returns, but also look at the credit quality of the portfolio. If you are a conservative investor then it makes sense to ensure that give away some returns for the extra safety.
Given the short term nature of these funds, the returns are not much affected by Inflation and there is a lesser interest rate risk. Typically, short term debt funds generate income from the interest earned on short to medium term Bonds. This accrual income, meaning the accumulated interest, gets added to the Net Asset Value and becomes your final return. Since you know these funds provide steady income, therefore, the returns are less volatile as compared to other long-term income funds. Some short term funds do carry a bit of interest rate risk, this can be measured by a parameter called duration of the portfolio. One can even look at the average maturity of the portfolio. Both these parameters are available on the fact sheets of the scheme. Just remember a simple rule, higher the duration or maturity higher the interest rate risk! If interest rates fall, then this is positive, however, if rates rise, then the returns would be negatively impacted.
Short term debt funds do not invest in instruments that have a very long maturity as they try to maintain lower interest rate risk and offer better tax-adjusted returns. Since these funds provide stable returns in a time period of one to three years, investors should try to match the investment timeline with the average maturity of the fund. The instruments they invest in include money Market instruments like bonds, Commercial Paper and certificate of deposits etc.
Being a short term investment, these funds do not require heavy active management by the fund manager. Once the portions of the portfolio are allotted, the need of actively managing (buying and selling units) the investments is lower, having said this the fund manager needs to ensure that interest rate views are incorporated and he/she is vigilant on the credit quality of the portfolio as well as new opportunities. Their aim to provide steady returns is achieved by ensuring regular active management of the fund.
Short term debt funds also offer an option of dividend payout. With this option, the investors can get dividends at regular interval mostly monthly and fortnightly. However, the dividends paid by these funds attract a DDT (Dividend Distribution Tax) of 25% for individual investors.
Some of the best short term debt funds include-
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 2023 (%) Debt Yield (YTM) Mod. Duration Eff. Maturity Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund Growth ₹36.3802
↑ 0.01 ₹362 0.8 11.4 12.8 5.3 4.52% 1Y 2M 13D 1Y 7M 3D HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Growth ₹30.2623
↑ 0.00 ₹14,622 2.2 4.5 8.6 6.1 7.1 7.65% 2Y 10M 2D 4Y 2M 16D IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan Growth ₹53.9563
↓ -0.01 ₹9,601 2 4.4 8.4 5.6 6.9 7.35% 2Y 10M 13D 3Y 8M 12D Nippon India Short Term Fund Growth ₹49.825
↑ 0.00 ₹7,122 2.2 4.3 8.3 5.7 6.8 7.59% 2Y 10M 2D 3Y 8M 16D Axis Short Term Fund Growth ₹29.1408
↓ 0.00 ₹9,342 2.1 4.3 8.3 5.9 6.8 7.52% 2Y 9M 4D 3Y 10M 2D Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Short Duration
funds having AUM/Net Assets above 100 Crore
. Sorted on Last 1 Year Return
.
(Erstwhile Sundaram Select Debt Short Term Asset Fund) To earn regular income by investing primarily in fixed income
securities, which may be paid as dividend or reinvested at
the option of the investor. A secondary objective is to
attempt to keep the value of its units reasonably stable. Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 5 Sep 02. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile HDFC Short Term Opportunities Fund) To generate regular income through investments in Debt/Money Market Instruments and Government Securities with maturities not exceeding 36 months. HDFC Short Term Debt Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 25 Jun 10. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile IDFC Super Saver Income Fund - Short Term Plan) The primary investment objective of the scheme is to seek to generate stable returns with a low-risk strategy by creating a portfolio that is invested in good quality fixed income & Money Market securities. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objectives of the scheme will be realized. IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 14 Dec 00. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan Returns up to 1 year are on The primary investment objective of the scheme is to generate stable returns for investors with a short term investment horizon by investing in fixed income
securitites of a short term maturity. Nippon India Short Term Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 18 Dec 02. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for Nippon India Short Term Fund Returns up to 1 year are on To generate stable returns with a low risk strategy while maintaining liquidity through a portfolio comprising of debt and money market instruments. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objective of the scheme will be achieved. Axis Short Term Fund is a Debt - Short term Bond fund was launched on 22 Jan 10. It is a fund with Moderately Low risk and has given a Below is the key information for Axis Short Term Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
CAGR/Annualized
return of 6.9% since its launch. Ranked 56 in Short term Bond
category. . Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 5 Sep 02 NAV (31 Dec 21) ₹36.3802 ↑ 0.01 (0.03 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹362 on 30 Nov 21 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Sundaram Asset Management Company Ltd Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.96 Sharpe Ratio 0.98 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 250 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 4.52% Effective Maturity 1 Year 7 Months 3 Days Modified Duration 1 Year 2 Months 13 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 19 ₹10,000 30 Sep 20 ₹10,963 30 Sep 21 ₹12,458 Returns for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.2% 3 Month 0.8% 6 Month 11.4% 1 Year 12.8% 3 Year 5.3% 5 Year 5.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 Fund Manager information for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for Sundaram Short Term Debt Fund as on 30 Nov 21
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 2. HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
CAGR/Annualized
return of 8% since its launch. Ranked 30 in Short term Bond
category. Return for 2023 was 7.1% , 2022 was 3.5% and 2021 was 3.9% . HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
Growth Launch Date 25 Jun 10 NAV (25 Oct 24) ₹30.2623 ↑ 0.00 (0.01 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹14,622 on 30 Sep 24 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC HDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.71 Sharpe Ratio 1.75 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 300 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.65% Effective Maturity 4 Years 2 Months 16 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 10 Months 2 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 19 ₹10,000 30 Sep 20 ₹11,078 30 Sep 21 ₹11,727 30 Sep 22 ₹12,024 30 Sep 23 ₹12,877 30 Sep 24 ₹13,948 Returns for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.6% 3 Month 2.2% 6 Month 4.5% 1 Year 8.6% 3 Year 6.1% 5 Year 6.8% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2023 7.1% 2022 3.5% 2021 3.9% 2020 11% 2019 9.7% 2018 7% 2017 6.5% 2016 9.3% 2015 8.7% 2014 10.4% Fund Manager information for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund
Name Since Tenure Anil Bamboli 25 Jun 10 14.28 Yr. Dhruv Muchhal 22 Jun 23 1.28 Yr. Data below for HDFC Short Term Debt Fund as on 30 Sep 24
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 9.32% Debt 90.43% Other 0.25% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 53.5% Government 37.28% Cash Equivalent 8.8% Securitized 0.17% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 13.9% AAA 86.1% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 07.18 Goi 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -8% ₹1,105 Cr 107,500,000 7.72% Govt Stock 2028
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹518 Cr 51,500,000 7.1% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹384 Cr 37,500,000 Aditya Birla Renewables Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹376 Cr 37,500
↑ 37,500 7.26% Govt Stock 2032
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹356 Cr 34,500,000 National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
Domestic Bonds | -2% ₹252 Cr 25,000 Bajaj Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹252 Cr 25,000 Pipeline Infrastructure Ltd.
Debentures | -2% ₹225 Cr 22,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹224 Cr 22,500
↑ 2,500 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -1% ₹203 Cr 20,000 3. IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan
CAGR/Annualized
return of 7.3% since its launch. Ranked 47 in Short term Bond
category. Return for 2023 was 6.9% , 2022 was 2.8% and 2021 was 3.4% . IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan
Growth Launch Date 14 Dec 00 NAV (25 Oct 24) ₹53.9563 ↓ -0.01 (-0.02 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹9,601 on 15 Oct 24 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC IDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.77 Sharpe Ratio 1.51 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.35% Effective Maturity 3 Years 8 Months 12 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 10 Months 13 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 19 ₹10,000 30 Sep 20 ₹10,992 30 Sep 21 ₹11,493 30 Sep 22 ₹11,704 30 Sep 23 ₹12,479 30 Sep 24 ₹13,519 Returns for IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.4% 3 Month 2% 6 Month 4.4% 1 Year 8.4% 3 Year 5.6% 5 Year 6.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.3% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2023 6.9% 2022 2.8% 2021 3.4% 2020 9.7% 2019 9.7% 2018 6.5% 2017 5.9% 2016 8.8% 2015 8.1% 2014 10.1% Fund Manager information for IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan
Name Since Tenure Suyash Choudhary 11 Mar 11 13.57 Yr. Brijesh Shah 10 Jun 24 0.31 Yr. Data below for IDFC Bond Fund Short Term Plan as on 15 Oct 24
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 24.05% Debt 75.68% Other 0.28% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 50.06% Government 44.56% Cash Equivalent 5.1% Credit Quality
Rating Value AAA 100% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.18% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -33% ₹2,940 Cr 287,100,000
↑ 18,900,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -8% ₹713 Cr 72,000,000
↑ 20,000,000 Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd. 8.04%
Debentures | -5% ₹476 Cr 47,500,000 Tata Capital Financial Services Limited
Debentures | -5% ₹441 Cr 44,100,000 Bajaj Finance Limited
Debentures | -4% ₹374 Cr 37,500,000 Tata Capital Housing Finance Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹249 Cr 25,000,000 Axis Bank Ltd.
Debentures | -2% ₹170 Cr 17,500,000
↓ -5,000,000 Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd. 8%
Debentures | -2% ₹150 Cr 15,000,000 Sundaram Finance Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹150 Cr 15,000,000 7.17% Govt Stock 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹141 Cr 13,800,000
↓ -14,900,000 4. Nippon India Short Term Fund
CAGR/Annualized
return of 7.6% since its launch. Ranked 17 in Short term Bond
category. Return for 2023 was 6.8% , 2022 was 3.2% and 2021 was 4.4% . Nippon India Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 18 Dec 02 NAV (25 Oct 24) ₹49.825 ↑ 0.00 (0.01 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹7,122 on 30 Sep 24 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.96 Sharpe Ratio 1.39 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.59% Effective Maturity 3 Years 8 Months 16 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 10 Months 2 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 19 ₹10,000 30 Sep 20 ₹10,921 30 Sep 21 ₹11,597 30 Sep 22 ₹11,860 30 Sep 23 ₹12,649 30 Sep 24 ₹13,671 Returns for Nippon India Short Term Fund
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.6% 3 Month 2.2% 6 Month 4.3% 1 Year 8.3% 3 Year 5.7% 5 Year 6.3% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.6% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2023 6.8% 2022 3.2% 2021 4.4% 2020 9.5% 2019 9.4% 2018 5.5% 2017 5.7% 2016 9.8% 2015 8.1% 2014 11.3% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Vivek Sharma 1 Feb 20 4.67 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 6.36 Yr. Sushil Budhia 31 Mar 21 3.51 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Short Term Fund as on 30 Sep 24
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 9.89% Debt 89.89% Other 0.22% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 50.28% Government 39.49% Cash Equivalent 9.89% Securitized 0.11% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 13.08% AAA 86.92% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.17% Govt Stock 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -10% ₹685 Cr 67,000,000 7.10% Govt Stock 18042028
Sovereign Bonds | -8% ₹544 Cr 53,500,000 07.32 Goi 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -6% ₹459 Cr 44,500,000
↓ -1,500,000 Renew Solar Energy (Jharkhand Five) Private Limited
Debentures | -3% ₹198 Cr 20,000 07.24 Tn SDL 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹176 Cr 17,500,000 Small Industries Development Bank Of India
Debentures | -2% ₹168 Cr 16,500 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹167 Cr 16,500 07.27 MH Sdl 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹155 Cr 15,312,900 Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹151 Cr 15,000 Cholamandalam Investment And Finance Company Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹151 Cr 15,000 5. Axis Short Term Fund
CAGR/Annualized
return of 7.5% since its launch. Ranked 26 in Short term Bond
category. Return for 2023 was 6.8% , 2022 was 3.7% and 2021 was 3.5% . Axis Short Term Fund
Growth Launch Date 22 Jan 10 NAV (25 Oct 24) ₹29.1408 ↓ 0.00 (-0.01 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹9,342 on 30 Sep 24 Category Debt - Short term Bond AMC Axis Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.92 Sharpe Ratio 1.3 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load NIL Yield to Maturity 7.52% Effective Maturity 3 Years 10 Months 2 Days Modified Duration 2 Years 9 Months 4 Days Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Sep 19 ₹10,000 30 Sep 20 ₹11,019 30 Sep 21 ₹11,586 30 Sep 22 ₹11,904 30 Sep 23 ₹12,688 30 Sep 24 ₹13,704 Returns for Axis Short Term Fund
absolute basis
& more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate)
basis. as on 31 Dec 21 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.5% 3 Month 2.1% 6 Month 4.3% 1 Year 8.3% 3 Year 5.9% 5 Year 6.4% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 7.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2023 6.8% 2022 3.7% 2021 3.5% 2020 10.1% 2019 9.8% 2018 6.3% 2017 5.9% 2016 9.6% 2015 8.1% 2014 10% Fund Manager information for Axis Short Term Fund
Name Since Tenure Devang Shah 5 Nov 12 11.91 Yr. Aditya Pagaria 3 Jul 23 1.25 Yr. Data below for Axis Short Term Fund as on 30 Sep 24
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 12.94% Debt 86.85% Other 0.21% Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Corporate 56.78% Government 35.52% Cash Equivalent 7.22% Securitized 0.26% Credit Quality
Rating Value AA 12.95% AAA 87.05% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7.32% Govt Stock 2030
Sovereign Bonds | -10% ₹938 Cr 91,000,000
↑ 5,000,000 07.18 Goi 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -7% ₹621 Cr 60,400,000
↓ -57,500,000 7.1% Govt Stock 2034
Sovereign Bonds | -4% ₹386 Cr 37,725,200
↑ 31,450,000 07.23 Goi 2064
Sovereign Bonds | -3% ₹239 Cr 23,000,000
↑ 3,000,000 Rural Electrification Corporation Limited
Debentures | -2% ₹200 Cr 20,000 India Grid Trust
Debentures | -2% ₹191 Cr 19,000 National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development
Debentures | -2% ₹184 Cr 18,500 Power Finance Corporation Ltd.
Debentures | -2% ₹150 Cr 15,000 7.93% Govt Stock 2033
Sovereign Bonds | -2% ₹140 Cr 13,662,000
↓ -4,000,000 India Universal Trust AL1
Unlisted bonds | -1% ₹128 Cr 128
↑ 128
Tax implication on debt funds is computed in the following manner-
If the holding period of a debt investment is less than 36 months, then it is classified as a short-term investment and these are taxed as per individual's tax slab.
If the holding period of debt investment is more than 36 months, then it is classified as a long-term investment and is taxed at 20% with an indexation benefit.
Capital Gains | Investment Holding Gains | Taxation |
---|---|---|
Short Term Capital Gains | Less than 36 months | As per individual's tax slab |
Long Term Capital Gains | More than 36 months | 20% with indexation benefits |
Alike all the financial securities, Short term debt funds have certain flaws as well. Some of the risks accompanying these funds include-
Short term debt funds are ideal having a short term financial goal of one to three years and not for long term. So, the investors who are looking for long term investments should invest in Equity Funds, which offers the benefits of rising inflation while yielding good returns.
The change in interest rate in the Economy has a little effect on short term debt funds, though the impact is very marginal. As the tenure of duration is short, the impact of interest rate changes in insignificant. However, investors should always look at the duration or maturity of the fund before making any conclusions. A high duration/maturity exposes the Fund to interest rate risk.
Usually, short term debt funds invest in instruments that have a high credit rating and have a safe track record. However, there are times when the asset managing company that is managing the fund defaults, the investor has to take the challenge of managing the risk on his own. So, the investors must keep this in mind and invest wisely. Hence, it is always advisable to look a getting into a fund with a good quality portfolio.