SIP vs. Lump Sum: Which Investment Strategy is Better?

One of the biggest confusions that investors usually have when it comes to mutual funds is either to invest lumpsum or via SIP. Though eventually, both routes invest in mutual funds, their execution and expected returns vary to a great extent. Here is everything that you need to know about both strategies and decipher which one works very better.

What is a lumpsum investment?

Lumpsum investment in mutual funds is investing in a considerable sum of money in a single go. It is ideal for individuals holding on to a large corpus and are confident about the market conditions. When timed accurately lumpsum investments can lead to higher returns due to compounding from the very first day. You can use a lump sum calculator to determine expected returns over some time, considering a standard annual rate of growth.

Perks of lumpsum investment

Here are some of the benefits of lump sum investment in mutual funds.

Lumpsum investment offers you better control over investments, as you can decide the amount to invest and the instruments that you want to invest in. It is ideal for investors who are experienced and understand the market conditions better.
It allows you to extrapolate the most out of the power of compounding. When you invest a lump sum amount in a mutual fund and stay invested for a longer duration the power of compounding ensures that the wealth that you gain is impressive.
When timed correctly, lumpsum investments can give you massive growth when the markets move in your intended direction.
Due to fewer transactions, the transaction and maintenance costs of lump sum investments tend to be slightly lower than those of SIPs.

What is SIP investment?

A SIP or systematic investment plan enables investors to invest a fixed amount of money at systematic intervals in mutual funds. It takes a significantly different approach compared to lump sum investments where SIP requires a lot more discipline and consistency.

Investing via the SIP route allows investors to make the most of market conditions, whether it is up or down via the concept of rupee cost averaging. Where you primarily buy more units when the market is low and vice versa. You can use a SIP calculator with your monthly investment and holding duration as entry parameters, to get an approximate return on your investments.

Perks of SIP investment

Here are some of the benefits of SIP investment in mutual funds.

SIP investments inculcate a more disciplined investment style among investors.
SIP investments offer better rupee cost averaging, albeit regular investments. In a volatile market, better rupee cost averaging will help you accumulate more units and eventually help you accommodate more wealth in a longer time frame.
SIP investments allow investors to start with even a nominal amount and continue with it and increase the SIP amount as and when it’s feasible.
Investments at regular intervals make investors immune to market volatility. Continuing through varied market conditions allows you to do better in the long run.

Role of goals and risk appetite

Investors usually have short-term goals such as buying a car or going on a vacation And long-term goals such as children’s education, or buying a house. Sips can be ideal for short-term goals Where you need access to your funds immediately. Whereas, lumpsum investments can work wonders for long-term goals when invested at the right time.

Likewise, conservative investors would prefer investing via sips as it lowers any potential risks and gives a better rupee cost averaging. On the other, hand investors with a larger appetite for risk would be inclined towards lump sum investments, as they want to make the most of market corrections.

Role of calculators

The presence of a SIP calculator as well as a lump sum calculator can make things much easier for investors. A SIP calculator, for example, takes the input of monthly installments, the duration for which you want to stay invested, and expected annual returns. On entering these, you will be able to visualize your potential returns.

A lumpsum calculator also takes similar inputs, such as your investment amount, the holding duration, and the expected annual returns. Such calculators can help you visualize potential returns and can motivate you to a large extent as well. However, it must be noted that these are only speculative amounts based on your input.

Conclusion

Lumpsum investments and SIP are investment tools for mutual funds. Each investment method has its pros and cons. Depending upon the investment amount, your risk appetite, and the duration of holding, we can choose either of the methods. SIPs are ideal for garnering a sense of discipline and make a great investment tool for short-term to mid-term goals. Lumpsum investments, on the other hand, are ideal for individuals who are holding on to a larger corpus and understand the market a bit better. Thereby allowing them to make the most of it.

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