What is a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)?
SIP or Systematic Investment plan can be described as a well-thought-out and systematic approach to investing in mutual funds. With the help of SIP, traders and investors can invest a specific amount in mutual funds either on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or even annual basis.
SIP lets traders and investors spread their investments out over a longer period while averaging the spending on their purchases. When investors choose to stay invested in the SIP for a longer period without making any withdrawals they can enjoy quite a few benefits.
Additional Read: SIP Calculator
What is a Systematic Transfer Plan (STP)?
The Systematic Transfer Plan or STP is a wonderful method to help traders and investors transfer money from one mutual fund to a different mutual fund with ease. There are certain restrictions however when it comes to the ‘transferring money’ aspect under the STP. You can only transfer money from one mutual fund house to another, not between mutual fund houses.
With the help of the STP, traders and investors can easily carry out money transfers between mutual funds regularly. However, to avail of the facility, traders do have to make a large initial deposit in a fund which is usually the debt fund. The traders or investors who are using the STP must also zero in on the amount they wish to transfer.
How Does SIP and STP Work?
After applying for an SIP plan, all the work is mostly done automatically. The amount you want to invest in mutual funds is debited automatically from your bank account and gets invested into the mutual fund of your choice at the intervals of your choosing. Investors and traders can choose to either receive the returns from the mutual fund at the end of its tenure or regular intervals.
When it comes to an STP, traders and investors can transfer funds from one mutual fund to another periodically of the same mutual fund house. Traders and investors can choose from different types of STPs like equity, or debt schemes depending on the condition of the market.
Differences Between SIP and STP
To help you better understand the difference between SIP vs STP, here is a look at their different aspects.
Aspects
| SIP (Systematic Investment Plan)
| STP (Systematic Transfer Plan)
|
Type
| An investment strategy
| A fund transfer strategy
|
Working
| Helps traders invest a predetermined sum at predetermined intervals into mutual funds
| Helps traders and investors transfer a predetermined amount from one mutual fund to another at predetermined intervals within the same fund family
|
Aim
| Helps with long-term capital growth
| Helps utilize capital better by shifting unused funds from one mutual fund to another.
|
Taxation
| No tax on investments but both long-term and short-term capital gains are taxed on withdrawals.
| All transfers are taxable
|
Benefits of SIP and STP
Here is a look at the benefits that both SIP and STP hold.
SIP
| STP
|
Helps investors stay disciplined when it comes to their investment strategy as only a predetermined amount is invested into mutual funds regularly
| During volatility in the market, STPs can help investors and traders utilize unused funds better and generate gain
|
With the help of an SIP, investors and traders do not have to worry about volatility or market timings, since all the investing process is automated.
| STPs are great at using the power of compounding for the benefit of the investor.
|
Which Investment Strategy Is Better: SIP or STP?
To choose the right investment strategy, it is important to understand what each of them can offer you. With SIP, investors and traders get to spread out their investments into a mutual fund over a longer period. SIP makes for a better option than letting one’s savings lay idle in a bank account. The concept of the rupee cost-averaging is a benefit that is available in both the SIP and STP. If you are a long-term investor, SIPs could prove to be a good option for you as they involve consistent investments. When it comes to STP, on the other hand, could also be used to fulfil the same financial goal with a different approach.
SIPs also make for a good option for investors and traders who have a large lump sum of money they want to invest. However, if you are someone who is not too keen on investing in the same equity, you can use STP. As a result, investors will be able to stretch out their investments with its help. Since STPs are also automated, investors do not have to worry about doing it themselves again and again. Once set up, the transfers will happen on their own. However, of the many things that you might need to consider before picking the right investment strategy, the one thing that you need to keep in mind is your financial goals.
Additional Read: How to Invest in SIP?
Final Takeaway
There are quite a few mutual fund schemes that investors can choose to invest in when it comes to utilizing their funds. This includes SIP or Systematic Investment Plan and STP or Systematic Transfer Plan. SIPs help investors and traders invest a predetermined amount into mutual funds at predefined intervals. With the help of STPs, investors and traders can easily transfer a predetermined amount from one mutual fund to another within the same fund family at regular intervals. Though the SIP vs STP debate will keep going, it is important to understand the benefits and drawbacks both schemes hold and to keep your financial goals in mind when taking your pick.
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