5 Best Ways to use Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) in Mutual Funds

Best Ways to use Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) in Mutual FundsBest Ways to use Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) in Mutual Funds


In all mutual fund offer document or mutual fund advertisements, you see that ‘mutual funds are subject to market risk’. This line keeps many individuals away from investing. Mutual funds are exposed to a volatility of the capital market. There are many tools and techniques to counter such volatility. One such good tool is Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) in Mutual Funds. I keep telling many readers on this blog not to invets lumpsum in mutual funds, however they can invest in debt funds and do STP to equity funds. What is Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) all about? How does STP in mutual funds work? What are the best ways to use Systematic Transfer Plans (STP) in Mutual Funds?

Also Read: Best Largecap Mutual Funds to invest now in 2018

What is System Transfer Plan (STP) in Mutual Funds?


If you are already aware of STP, you can skip this section. Systematic Transfer Plan mostly termed as STP. Under STP method of investing in mutual funds, an investor transfers a fixed amount of money from one category of a fund to another in a fixed interval, generally from a debt fund to an equity fund. Systematic Transfer plan can be used as a defense mechanism in a volatile market.

What is the difference between SIP in STP in Mutual Funds?


STP should not be confused with Systematic Investment Plan (SIP). SIP is a disciplined way of investing fresh money over fixed and regular intervals whereas STP is the transfer of funds from one investment to other. This article deals with how the technique of STP can be used to maximize the returns on investments.

How does STP work exactly?


Let me explain this with an example. Mr.Rajesh want to invest Rs 1 Lakh in equity mutual funds. However, since stock markets are volatile, Mr.Rajesh is worried about investing in lumpsum. Here is what he does:

1) Invest Rs 1 Lakh in a good Debt Mutual Fund

2) Would put request for STP for Rs 10,000 per month to 1 or 2 good equity mutual funds.

3) After 1 month, his debt fund would be reduced by Rs 10,000 and principal amount would be Rs 90,000 excluding any returns from debt funds. His amount reduced from debt fund for Rs 10,000 would be invested in equity fund selected by him. Means, his total principal amount of Rs 1 Lakh would not aligned to Rs 90,000 in debt fund and Rs 10,000 in equity fund (without any returns)

4) This process would go from 1st month to 10th month and after this, debt fund value would be exhausted (except for any returns one would have got) complete amount is visible in equity fund i.e. Rs 1 Lakh (excluding any returns).

5 Best Ways to use Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) in Mutual Funds


While this process is good, one would have several doubts on what is the ideal way where one can get maximum benefit from STP in Mutual Funds.  Here are few tips about this.

1) STP in Mutual Funds should be linked to Goal


It is so true that each investment should have a goal to make sure that the same is well achieved. In case of STP, if the goals are well set in terms of tenure and the amount expected it would be much easier to swap the investment based on the expected rate of return. From short-term goals like buying a new car into long-term goals like securing your retirement and health, STP can help meeting all the financial goals if invested cautiously and under the right guidance. Generally STP is used to assess that your investment in equity fund stays for long term. If STP is being done without knowing the end goal, there are likely chances that we end up with low returns than bank FDs.

2) STP in Mutual Funds should be linked to Tenure


In this regard, we can break the goals based tenure to small (less than 12 months), medium (1 year – 5 years) and long-term greater than 10 years time frame. E.g. Mr.Rajesh has invested Rs 1 Lakh in debt fund and want to do STP to equity fund. However if the objective is to do down payment for car in next 1-1.5 years, there is no point in investing through STP.  Let me give another example. Mr.Kishore want to invest lumpsum in mutual funds for child education of say 8-10 years. He can invest lumpsum and do STP to equity funds for 1-2 years period and wait for 8 to 10 years.

3) STP in Mutual Funds should be linked to Risk Appetite


I feel this is one of the most important criteria, which differs from one investor to another. Do not get bogged down by what your friend does, his/ her risk appetite and goal might not be the same as yours. It is extremely important to stick to the asset allocation method and move ahead depending on your risk-taking ability. E.g. Mr.Kiran is moderate risk to low risk taker. He can invest lumpsum in debt fund and do STP to balanced funds. He should not be thinking about midcap/smallcap funds as these are high risk.

4) STP in Mutual Funds should be linked to Stock Market Direction


If the stock market are positive, means, short term would be better and negative direction means, medium to long term would be better etc.  SIP is preferrrable when stock markets are positive. STP is preferable for high lumpsum investment and when stock markets are moving in negative direction.

5) STP in Mutual Funds should be linked to Volatility in Stock Markets


Volatile markets means, one should be careful and do STP for longer period. As the time frame increases, it creates a longer stretch to face the short-term volatility of the market and sooner or later the market definitely moves in the expected realistic direction. As it’s a global economy, there are many more issues, news, and factors which would increase or create stagnancy in the market. As the STP is done based on long term time horizon, the capacity to perceive the prevailing and future market increases. There should be a locking of at least 24 months in STP to give some time to yourself and your portfolio to give you expected returns.

Also Read: Top 10 Mutual Funds to invest from various sectors

Final Advise (Subject to market risks and personal risk-return criteria)


The major objective of investing in STP remains to protect the investors from market volatility, thus a fortnightly or weekly STP frequency is not a bad idea. This might differ depending on the above-mentioned five-pointers, but the basics remain the same.

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Suresh

Best Ways to use Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) in Mutual Funds

15 comments

  1. Hi. I have some lumpsum amount to invest in mutual fund so that it gives me maximum return. However, I would like to invest over period of time. Someone suggested me to do an STP. But he is saying STP should be done within an year. I am not convinced. Can u please confirm what is the ideal length of the STP should be ?

    1. Hello Sarvanu, STP is systematic transfer plan which is used to withdraw mutual fund investment periodically. if you want to invest lumpsum, it is not STP, but it should be done in staggered manner. You can invest this for next 6 to 9 months

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