Short-term mutual funds are debt-oriented investment options that focus on fixed-income securities with shorter maturities. These funds are designed for investors seeking stability, moderate returns, and relatively lower risk compared to equity investments. Typically, they invest in government securities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments with a duration ranging from a few months to a few years.
What Are Short-Term Mutual Funds?
Short-term mutual funds are a category of debt funds that invest in fixed-income instruments with a short maturity period of a few months to three years. These funds aim to balance returns and risk by investing in a mix of corporate bonds, treasury bills, and government securities. As per SEBI classification, short-duration funds specifically maintain a portfolio duration between one to three years; meanwhile, ultra-short-duration funds have a duration of a week to 18 months.
How Do Short-Term Mutual Funds Work?
Short-term mutual funds generate returns through interest income and capital appreciation. These funds primarily invest in short-maturity fixed-income instruments, making them less sensitive to interest rate fluctuations compared to long-duration debt funds. Fund managers actively adjust the portfolio based on prevailing market conditions to optimize risk and returns.
Key Aspects of How They Work:
- Duration Sensitivity: The shorter the duration, the lower the interest rate risk. Short-term funds are less volatile than long-duration debt funds.
- Investment Portfolio: These funds allocate assets across corporate bonds, government securities, treasury bills, and commercial papers.
- Returns Mechanism: Investors earn returns through periodic interest payments and potential capital gains when bond prices rise.
- Market Influence: Falling interest rates increase bond values, leading to capital gains, whereas rising rates may cause capital losses.
Who Should Invest in Short-Term Mutual Funds?
Short-term mutual funds are suitable for investors looking for relatively stable returns over a short investment horizon. These funds are ideal for those who want to park surplus funds for a few months to a few years while minimizing risk exposure compared to equity investments.
Ideal Investors for Short-Term Mutual Funds:
- Investors with a 1-3 Year Investment Horizon: These funds are suited for those planning to stay invested for at least a year to optimize returns and reduce interest rate risk.
- First-Time Debt Fund Investors: New investors looking for a balanced risk-return profile can consider short-term funds as an entry point into the debt fund segment.
- Investors Seeking Periodic Income: Those looking for regular income can opt for a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) to generate cash flow from these funds.
- Risk-Averse Investors: Investors who prefer moderate risk compared to equity and long-term debt funds can allocate funds to short-term investments.
- Alternative to Fixed Deposits: Those seeking potentially better returns than bank fixed deposits with similar liquidity and moderate risk exposure may find short-term funds suitable.
List of Short-Term Mutual Funds in India
The table below provides an overview of select short-term mutual funds in India, highlighting their asset size, category, past performance, and expense ratio.
Fund Name
| Sub Category
| AUM (in ₹ Cr.)
| CAGR 3Y (%)
| Expense Ratio (%)
| Absolute Returns - 1Y (%)
|
IL&FS Infra Debt Fund - Series 2-C
| Sectoral Fund - Infrastructure (Debt)
| 276.93
| 23.01
| 0
| 56.15
|
LIC MF Infra Fund
| Sectoral Fund - Infrastructure
| 852.07
| 35.22
| 1.06
| 54.63
|
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund
| Sectoral Fund - Pharma & Health Care
| 1,459.59
| 0.00
| 0.94
| 53.39
|
Motilal Oswal ELSS Tax Saver Fund
| Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS)
| 4,186.93
| 30.44
| 0.65
| 52.84
|
Source: Smallcase
Taxation on Short-Term Mutual Funds
Understanding the tax implications of short-term mutual funds is essential for investors to manage their returns effectively. The Union Budget 2025 introduced significant changes affecting the taxation of mutual fund investments. Here's an overview:
Key Taxation Aspects:
- Equity-Oriented Mutual Funds:
- Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): For units held for up to 12 months, STCG is taxed at 20%, an increase from the previous 15%.
- Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): Gains exceeding ₹1,25,000 on units held beyond 12 months are taxed at 12.5%, up from the earlier 10%.
- Debt Mutual Funds:
- Uniform Taxation: Regardless of the holding period, capital gains from debt mutual funds are now taxed as short-term capital gains at the investor's applicable income tax slab rate. This change stems from the Finance Act 2023, which introduced Section 50AA, eliminating the previous benefit of lower tax rates for longer holding periods.
- Tax Deducted at Source (TDS):
- The threshold for TDS exemption on mutual fund income has been doubled to ₹10,000, providing relief to small investors by reducing tax deductions at the source.
- Removal of Indexation Benefits:
- The indexation benefit, which once let investors adjust the debt fund purchase price to offset the cons of inflation, is no longer on offer. This change increases the taxable gains on debt fund redemptions.
Investors should consider these tax implications when planning their investments in short-term mutual funds to optimize after-tax returns.
Benefits of Investing in Short-Term Mutual Funds
Investing in short-term mutual funds offers several advantages, making them a preferred choice for conservative investors and those with a short investment horizon.
Key Benefits:
- Lower Interest Rate Risk: Since these funds invest in short-duration debt securities, they are less sensitive to interest rate fluctuations compared to long-duration funds.
- Stable Returns: Short-term mutual funds provide relatively predictable returns through interest income and capital appreciation.
- Higher Liquidity: Investors can redeem their holdings with minimal exit loads, ensuring flexibility in managing cash flows.
- Diversification: These funds invest in various fixed-income instruments, reducing overall portfolio risk.
- Alternative to Fixed Deposits: They may offer better post-tax returns than traditional bank deposits, especially for investors in higher tax brackets.
- Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWP): Investors can use SWPs to generate a steady stream of income from their investments.
Risks Involved in Short-Term and Ultra-Short-Term Funds
While short-term and ultra-short-term mutual funds offer stability and liquidity, they are not entirely risk-free. Investors should be aware of the potential risks before investing.
Key Risks:
- Interest Rate Risk: A rise in interest rates can lead to a decline in bond prices, impacting fund returns.
- Credit Risk: Some funds invest in lower-rated debt instruments to generate higher yields, increasing the risk of default.
- Market Liquidity Risk: In certain market conditions, liquidating debt securities may be challenging, affecting redemption timelines.
- Inflation Risk: The returns from short-term funds may not always keep pace with inflation, potentially reducing purchasing power.
- Taxation Impact: The removal of indexation benefits on debt mutual funds has increased the tax burden on capital gains.
Key Factors to Consider Before Investing in Short-Term Funds
Before investing in short-term mutual funds, it is vital to pay close attention to key factors to ensure alignment with their financial goals and risk tolerance.
Important Considerations:
- Investment Horizon: Short-term funds are suitable for investors with a holding period of one to three years.
- Risk Tolerance: While these funds carry lower risk than equity investments, credit risk and interest rate risk should be assessed.
- Expense Ratio: A lower expense ratio can enhance net returns over time.
- Fund Portfolio Composition: Reviewing the fund’s holdings (corporate bonds, government securities, etc.) can help gauge risk exposure.
- Tax Implications: Investors should consider the post-tax returns, as short-term capital gains on debt funds are taxed at the applicable income tax slab rate.
- Fund Performance: Past returns, though not indicative of future performance, can provide insights into fund consistency and risk management.
How to Invest in Short-Term Mutual Funds?
Investing in short-term mutual funds is a straightforward process, but investors should follow a structured approach to select the right fund and optimize returns.
Steps to Invest:
- Determine Investment Goals: Assess whether the fund aligns with your short-term financial needs and risk appetite.
- Select a Fund Type: Choose between short-duration funds (1-3 years) and ultra-short-duration funds (1-18 months) based on your investment horizon.
- Compare Fund Performance: Evaluate past performance, asset allocation, and credit quality of the fund’s holdings.
- Check Expense Ratios: A lower expense ratio ensures that management fees do not significantly impact returns.
- Understand Taxation: Consider the tax implications of capital gains and dividends to optimize post-tax returns.
- Invest via a Demat or Mutual Fund Account: Investors can invest directly through mutual fund websites, banks, or brokerage platforms.
- Monitor and Review: Regularly track fund performance and market conditions to make informed decisions regarding withdrawals or reinvestment.
Conclusion
Short-term mutual funds provide investors with a balanced investment option that offers liquidity, moderate returns, and relatively lower risk compared to long-term debt or equity funds. These funds are well-suited for individuals seeking to park surplus funds for a short duration while earning better returns than traditional fixed deposits. However, investors should consider factors such as interest rate movements, credit quality, expense ratios, and taxation before investing. A well-researched approach can help optimize returns while mitigating risks associated with short-term investments.