ETFs or Exchange Traded Funds are one of the many financial assets that investors are drawn to, but the very concept of ETFs began with the Nifty BeES. The Nifty BeES was the very first ETF that launched in India in 2001 and one that tracks the Nifty 50 Index.
From the term Nifty BeES, the “Nifty” represents the index the instrument tracks and the “BeES” stands for ‘benchmark exchange traded scheme’. For you to help understand the concept of the Nifty BeES better, here is everything you need to know about this ETF.
What is Nifty BeES?
The Nifty BeES was first introduced in the month of January 2002. It is an exchange-traded fund or ETF that is available only on the National Stock Exchange or NSE from where traders and investors can buy and sell it like normal shares.
Nifty BeES can be a great investment for traders who are looking to diversify their portfolio since the returns on the Nifty BeES reflect that of the returns on the Nifty 50 index. Another great thing about the Nifty BeES is that since it is an ETF, traders can easily either buy and sell them at their real-time NAV or Net Asset Value or at the price they are being traded in.
Working of Nifty BeES
Since we have already discussed that the Nifty BeES, which is an ETF, tracks the Nifty 50 index, here’s a little more detail about how exactly this particular ETF works. Anyone investing in the Nifty BeES ETF will essentially be investing in the securities that come under the Nifty 50 index. Accordingly, any returns that an investor earns through this ETF, minus the expenses, will be very close to the comprehensive returns of the securities that come under the Nifty 50 index. The only issue here is that no guarantee exists whether or not this claim will hold true or not. This is done by the ETF by investing in individual company stocks under the Nifty 50 index at the same proportion. A small percentage from this investment is also set aside to help with the liquidiity aspect.
Key Features of Nifty BeES
Listed below are some of the main features of the Nifty BeES:
Currently managed by Nippon India Mutual Fund, the Nifty BeES was India’s first ETF and was introduced on 28th December 2001.
The units in the Nifty BeES are 1/100th of the Nifty 50 Index and 1/10th of the S&P CNX Nifty index.
The Nifty BeES’s Real-time Net Asset Value or NAV data is calculated based on trades only on the NSE.
Investors can easily buy or sell individual Nifty BeES units only on the National Stock Exchange or NSE
A minimum investment of ₹50,000 is needed to put into the Nifty BeES. This helps open up the ETF to many investors.
Steps to Invest in Nifty BeES
The process of investing in Nifty BeES isn’t complicated as it is very similar to the steps involved in stock trading. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how to invest in Nifty Bees:
Begin by Opening a Demat and Trading Account
The very first step you need to take if you want to invest in Nifty BeES is to open a trading and Demat account with a stockbroker of your choice.
Identify Nifty BeES on NSE or BSE
Since Nifty BeES is available on both the NSE and the BSE, you can identify it by recognising any symbols or codes unique to it.
Place Buy Orders
Buy orders can easily be placed for Nifty BeES through your trading account, similar to how you do when buying stocks. When placing such an order, you can input the number of units you want to invest in.
Monitor and Manage Your Investment
After placing the buy order and placing the Nifty BeES units, you will be able to find them in your Demat account. From here, you can easily keep track of their performance and make further decisions based on the market movements.
It is extremely important to remember to do every bit of research about Nifty BeES before investing in them to avoid any potential losses.
Evaluating Nifty BeES as an Investment Option
Since the Nifty BeES reflects the Nifty 50 index, it provides more access to the country’s top 50 companies. As a result, investors have the opportunity to invest in a cost-effective and diversified opportunity. The Nifty BeES works the same way as usual stock trading, as a result of which there is more transparency and liquidity. However, it does come with its fair share of risks as well including issues like tracking errors or frequent market fluctuations. This is why investors need to take every aspect into account when investing in Nifty BeES.
Pros & Cons of Investing in Nifty BeES
Listed below are both the advantages and disadvantages of investing in Nifty BeES:
Advantages
| Disadvantages
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Easy Management of Funds
The operation of the Nifty BeES is very simple and investors can easily begin their investment process by opening a Demat and trading account. The Nifty BeES very closely tracks the Nifty 50 Index, which helps it align its performance with the least bit of disturbance.
| Moderate Returns
Compared to many mutual funds or ETFs, the one disadvantage of Nifty BeES lies in its potential to produce only moderate returns most of the time. The main reason behind this is that it mirrors the Nifty 50 index, which leads to its potential for growth being curtailed.
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Simple Trading Experience
With the help of the Nifty BeES, investors can trade in real-time during market hours. Traders can either share details with their stockbroker to carry out the trade or do so themselves through their trading account with their stockbroker. By including limit orders, investors can also reduce any potential losses.
| Excessive Diversification
There is no doubt that by investing in the Nifty BeES, investors will be able to diversify their portfolio, but with excessive comes diluted returns. This in turn can confuse investors.
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Favourable Cost Structure
Nifty Bees comes with a lower expense ratio in comparison to other financial instruments like mutual funds. More often than not, any expenses that an investor has undertaken remain favourable for them.
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Better Liquidity
Since Nifty BeES trades like individual stocks, it helps offer them better liquidity which can easily be accessed via index futures and by leveraging the underlying shares.
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Commitment to Transparency
Under the Nifty Bees, investors gain uncut access to information across different securities, providing them with transparency and empowering them to make informed decisions.
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Tax Implications on Nifty BeES Investments
Let us have a look at how Nifty BeES is taxed:
Short-Term Capital Gains
When investors produce returns via Nifty BeES in a holding time of less than a year, these short-term capital gains are taxed at 15%. This works the same way as the taxation practice on short-term capital gains through equity investments.
Long-Term Capital Gains
If investors choose to hold their Nifty BeES for an extended period, i.e. more than a year, the returns earned then are taxed at 10%. The 10% is without the added benefit of indexation.
Conclusion
With the help of Nifty BeES, investors can take their first steps into the stock market with ease. The ETF is affordable and holds many advantages like faster transactions and higher liquidity. What must, however, be kept in mind, is that the Nifty BeES does not yield very high returns and if they become overly diversified, they can end up being riskier. This is why it is important to consider all aspects before you invest in Nifty BeES.
Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.
This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.
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