Liquid Funds Vs Fixed Deposits – Which one is better?

Liquid Funds Vs Fixed Deposits - Which is better investment optionLiquid Funds Vs Fixed Deposits – Which one is better?


If you want to invest for short term period, generally we invest in liquid funds or fixed deposits. Do you know that liquid mutual funds score high comparing to bank fixed deposits (we would not be comparing with company fixed deposits as they cannot be liquidated immediately) and would earn you higher returns if you can plan and invest wisely. I aimed to buy a property in the last 6 months. I wanted to park my money for 3 to 6 months duration for this special goal. I was not sure when I would need money. I parked money in liquid funds and recently when I redeemed, I got higher returns compared to fixed deposits. What are differences between Liquid Funds and Fixed Deposits? Liquid Funds Vs Fixed Deposits, which one is the best investment option for short term?

Also Read: Latest Recurring Deposit (RD) Rates in India to park your short term money

What are liquid funds?


Liquid mutual funds primary objective is to invest in debt instruments like commercial papers, fixed deposits, treasury bills etc. These debt instruments have a lower maturity period, hence fund manager can easily liquidate and sell them immediately.

Features of Liquid Funds


  • Zero lock-in period.
  • Funds can be redeemed within 1 working day.
  • You can sell them before 2 pm and get the funds on the same day. If you sell them after 2 pm, you would get funds in your account by  next day morning.
  • They do not have an entry or exit loads.
  • Lowest interest rate risks as they invest in short term fixed income debt securities.
  • Highest return compared to fixed deposits. It would range between 4% to 8% per annum.
  • Liquid funds come with various plans like growth plan, dividend plans, daily dividend plans, weekly dividend plans, monthly dividend plans etc.
  • Investors can invest in direct plans as they contain a low expense ratio and provide high returns.
  • Funds can choose good liquid mutual funds based on Crisil Rank, Value Research Star Rating, high Assets under Management (AUM) and past year's performance.

Liquid Funds Vs Fixed Deposits – Which one is better?


  • Returns: Liquid funds invests in short term securities and offers returns ranging between 4% to 8% per annum. On the other hand bank fixed deposits offers 4% to 9% returns per annum depending on the tenure. Lower the tenure, interest rates are lower.
  • If you invest say for 3 months, the returns from bank fixed deposits would be approx 1.5%. On the other hand, liquid funds would offer more than 2% returns (approx).
  • If you invest say for 6 months, the returns from bank fixed deposits would be approx 3%. On the other hand, liquid funds would offer more than 4% returns (approx).
  • Hence liquid funds score high comparing to fixed deposits for short term period of less than 1 year. If you invest for more than 6 months, the returns would be almost same.
  • Tax Treatment: Dividends received from liquid mutual funds are tax free in the hands of investors. However, mutual fund houses pay 28.325% as dividend distribution tax on such dividends before distributing to investors. Regarding growth plans, if you sell them before 1 year, any returns need to be added to your income and you need to pay income tax based on your tax bracket. Hence, no change in tax treatment of liquid growth plans vs fixed deposits.
  • Closure / Redemption: You can sell liquid funds before 2 pm and you would get funds in your bank account on the same day. If you sell after 2 pm, you would get your funds on ext day morning. On the other hand, fixed deposits closure can be done immediately. Most of the banks are crediting the funds immediately within the day or same hour.

​Also Read: Top Mid cap / Small cap mutual funds which are out performing now

  • Interest rate risks: Since liquid funds invest in short term securities, RBI rates would have an impact on such securities. On the other hand, bank fixed deposits would also have impact with interest rate risks. Most of the times, both would go hand in hand, sometimes, bank would not change any interest rates due to minor RBI rate changes.

Some of the top Liquid Mutual Funds to invest now


These liquid funds have provided returns of over 2% in 3 months, 4.3% returns in 6 months, 9% returns in 12 months period.

1) Can Robeco Liquid Plan

2) SBI Premier Liquid Plan

3) DSP BR Liquidy Plan

4) HSBC Cash Fund

5) Axis Liquid Fund

Conclusion: If you want to park your money for short term of 1 to 6 months, liquid funds would be the best bet for you. Consider above factors before investing in such funds.

Readers, what are your experiences in liquid funds? Do you believe that liquid mutual funds score high comparing to bank fixed deposits?

If you like this article, please share this on your Facebook or Twitter. This would be a special gift which you would be giving to our blog.

Suresh
Liquid Funds Vs Fixed Deposits – Which one is better

Suresh KP

49 comments

  1. Hi Suresh
    Have been your avid follower. Here's my question needing your suggestion.
     
    I have invested 45 lacs in Liquid/Debt funds over the last 6 months from which I had started to do STP to Equity/Balanced funds.  I had not invested the amount directly in Equity funds as i will be redeeming 90% of the money invested within the next 4 months to purchase a flat (costing about 40 lacs).
    I also have 32 Lacs unutilized funds  right now which I want to invest in some 5-6 good mutual funds for atleast 4-5 yrs. 
    1. What are some of the good funds that I can invest this 32 lacs in? I'm looking for High performing funds which will yield yearly returns of Rs.45000 from year 3 onwards.  And there are no other financial goals I have apart from the above situation.My risk appetite is average. 
    2. Can I invest say  5 Lacs in say 6 Funds in one shot? is it advisable to do this considering that the NAV may be at peak for some funds? Or whats the other way to distribute and invest 5 Lacs in 6 funds max?

    Thanks
    Vivek

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *