S&P BSE Sensex*	Re/US $	Gold Rs/10g	Crude ($/barrel)	FD Rates (1-Yr)
35,066.75 |-983.69 -2.73%	63.98 |-0.28 -0.44%	30,300 | 25.00 0.08%	69.60 |0.05 0.07%	5.0% - 6.75%

  You may have come across people telling you about their losses in equity, but seldom does anyone share their own success stories in the stock market.We often refer to the success stories of legendary investors, don’t we?

Corporates invest in equities and make moolah — at least that’s what we understand from the findings of the Finance Ministry.

In a cash-strapped economy like India, Rs 3.67 lakh crore is too big an amount for the government to let go off sans tax. For the last 14 years, elected governments have left this tax policy untouched. The present government seems to have made up its mind to break the status quo.

Until now, if you held your equity investments—equity shares or units of equity-oriented mutual funds— for more than 12 months you didn’t have to pay even a single paisa of tax on your gains. This was one of the most crucial aspects of equity investing that attracted thousands of investors.

To support budget expenditure, the government finally decided to levy 10% tax on long term capital gains in the Budget 2018-19.

Are investors okay with it?

It seems public sector behemoths—likes of LIC—provided some props to the market on the day of the Budget. Otherwise markets would have nosedived that day. But how long can one or two entities shore up the falling market? One can’t swallow a pill and avert market gyrations permanently.

Top voices from the mutual fund industry rushed to assure their investors that nothing has changed fundamentally for India and one shouldn’t look at LTCG taxation as a deterrent to invest in equity mutual funds.

Quite predictably, markets sold off in the subsequent trading session following the Budget.  Are weak hands jumping off board the ship in anticipation of it sinking in the deep sea?

While there’s nothing wrong in imposing LTCG tax; the government seems to have not done its homework right before proposing it. And, perhaps that bothers the market.

Let’s discuss...

What explanation the government has offered for imposing tax?

Currently, long term capital gains arising from transfer of listed equity shares, units of equity oriented fund and unit of a business trust are exempt from tax. With the reforms introduced by the Government and incentives given so far, the equity market has become buoyant.

This has also created a bias against manufacturing, leading to more business surpluses being invested in financial assets. The return on investment in equity is already quite attractive even without tax exemption. There is therefore a strong case for bringing long term capital gains from listed equities in the tax net.

Here’s an admission:

Since the government says, investment in equity shares has created a bias against manufacturing and has led to financialisation of assets; in other words, it admits, companies have disproportionately benefited from incentives offered so far.

Then the question arises...

Why punish individual investors?

In the Budget speech, the Finance Minister also said, the markets have become buoyant.

Again the question is:

Just about 5%-6% Indians invest in equity markets and the recent upsurge in the index has occurred after years of sideways action.

Similarly, the massive increase in the mutual fund investors has happened on a narrow base—so instead of counting in percentage terms that has to be looked at from the wider context.

The official Budget document goes on to say, the return on equity is already attractive without tax incentives, but does that mean investments that generate lower tax-and-inflation-adjusted returns will be offered tax incentives?

In reality, the higher return earned on equity is mainly a function of higher risk undertaken by the investor. And in absence of any adequate and formidable social security scheme, citizens try to maximise their gains on the savings they put aside for important financial goals—children’s education, retirement, etc.

Although there doesn’t appear to be a problem on collecting LTCG taxes, but why not allow investors to claim the benefit of indexation?

As you’re probably aware, indexation allows you to balloon your cost of purchase to iron out the effects of inflation. Unless, the benefit of indexation is allowed your cost would always look lower because of effects of inflation and your profits look higher in the long run.

If you sell any other capital asset such as gold or real estate, you are allowed to claim the benefits of indexation—which are not available for equity investors. The rate of tax, 10%, might look low; but, there’s no certainty.

After all, LTCG is one of the easiest ways to collect taxes without paying much of a political cost. The devil is in the details. The Finance Minister said he was proposing, “only a modest change in the present regime.” Why one shouldn’t assume the subsequent governments will not raise this tax voluntarily?

Moreover, gains made on real estate; if invested in specified assets upto a specified limit, are tax-free. LTCG made on equity investments won’t receive this favourable treatment.

Within the category of equity-oriented investments, Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs) aren’t brought under the purview of this. Is it a move to favour state owned Insurance giant?

And there’s some ambiguity...

Going by what the finance minister said, gains over Rs 1 lakh will be taxed. But does that mean this exemption is allowed over and above the basic slab of Rs 2.5 lakh? The government needs to clarify this point.

The biggest problem with the decision is this, and surprisingly, nobody’s talking about it...

1. The long term capital gain tax is 10%
2. And the short term capital gain tax is 15%
3. The holding period should be 12 months for gains to qualify as LTCG
4. There’s no change in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) rates

Do you realise what the newly imposed tax has done?

It’s unknowingly encouraged people to trade.

Assume, you made some quick gains; you would tend to book them instead of carrying them over.

LTCG tax of 10% without indexation doesn’t offer much incentives for not booking the profit and paying 15% tax. After all, a bird in hand is worth more than the one in the bush.

Either the long term capital gain tax should be 5% instead of 10% or the short term capital gains tax should be raised to 20% from the current 15% .

Things you should know:

The government has proposed to grandfather the gains made upto January 31, 2018. For any purchases made in the 6 months preceding January 31, 2018; the higher of actual cost or the fair market value as on January 31, 2018 would be taken.

For example, if you purchased a stock on September 01, 2017 for Rs 100 and it’s quoted at Rs 135 on January 31, 2018; your cost will be treated as 135 and not 100. But if it reduced to Rs 80 on January 31, 2018; it will still be treated as Rs 100.

The government has also made dividends declared by the equity-oriented schemes taxable in the hands of investors at 10%. This will create a level playing field for dividend and growth options.

What investors should do?

Investors shouldn’t bother about falling markets and keep on investing in equity-oriented mutual funds based on their personalised asset allocation plan. Introducing 10% capital gain tax on long term gains is more of a sentimental blow and the fundamentals of the Indian markets wouldn't change because of this.

Read this carefully in case you are not sure when should you redeem your mutual fund:

• When you have met your financial goal 
• When you need to rebalance your portfolio 
• When your mutual fund scheme underperforms consistently
• When there is a change in the fundamental attributes or investment objective of the scheme
• When you find a better alternative

Editor's note: Are you confused with the present market conditions? Will the market go up or down from here? Should you invest at all? If yes, how? Which mutual fund schemes to invest? If such questions are lingering in your mind, subscribe to PersonalFN’s latest exclusive report: Top 5 Equity Funds To Invest In 2018. This exclusive report has been created keeping the Investment Scenario IN 2018 in mind. If you have a question, “Which equity funds to invest in now ––under the current market conditions?” This report is the answer to your question. Subscribe now!

Union Budget 2018-19: How Does It Impact Your Personal Finances

Indian citizens have been anxiously awaiting the Union Budget of 2018-19. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley presented the much anticipated union budget on February 1, 2018.

The Union Budget 2018-19 comes at a time when slowing growth, subdued investment sentiment, and widening fiscal deficit are among the major concerns for the economy. The slowdown in growth has had an impact on job creation as well. In such a scenario, the Budget called for stepping up public investment.

The Budget certainly did not disappoint in relief for farmers, skill development, healthcare, and benefits for seniors. In terms of infrastructure spending too, the government announced some major projects, specifically to develop tourism.

While a few projects, such as flagship National Health Protection Scheme and those on education and infrastructure development can be considered revolutionary, the success lies in the implementation.

To read more and Personal FN’s views, please click here.

Here’s What The Economic Survey Has To Say About Mutual Funds

Recently, the Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) of India presented the Economic Survey 2017-18. As you might be aware, the Economic Survey is a flagship report of the Ministry of Finance which evaluates India’s economic performance over last one year and measures the effectiveness of government policies.

This year’s report comments on a host of issues ranging from Goods and Services Tax (GST) to Economic Growth to the State of Agriculture, and the state of Indian banks among others.

However, what may raise many eyebrows were the CEA’s comments on the rising stock market and a possibility of a bubble formation in Indian equities. Besides expressing the need to increase vigilance in the stock market under the current market conditions, CEA has categorically warned small investors to be watchful of significant corrections in Indian equities.

To read more and Personal FN’s views, please click here.

Are These The Top Mutual Funds For Your Retirement Portfolio? Know Here...

Many Indians are unprepared for retirement and may need to continue working in their 60s and beyond. Not all enjoy the benefits of a steady pension in their retirement years. For some who do, their pension maybe insufficient to support their daily needs.

Whether you retire at age 58 or choose to work until 70, you are likely have many years ahead. Your career will then conclude and your children may not be around anymore. Hence, you need to prepare yourself for the next couple of decades.

Retirement is not supposed to be stressful. Many of us expect to have a blissful retirement. But your dream can turn into a nightmare if you don't plan properly or if the financial market goes awry.

Post-retirement income from investments, cost of living, and health care expenses can change unexpectedly, it is important to be ready and know how to adapt to those changes after leaving the workforce.

A primary reason for retirees being unprepared is a lack of planning and saving in their younger years. Thus, beginning the retirement investment process at a young age often pays off in the long run.

To read more and Personal FN’s views, please click here.

 

Axis Long Term Equity Fund: Is It Still A Top ELSS Fund For 2018?

Launched a mere 8 years ago, Axis Long Term Equity Fund raced to the forefront of tax-saving schemes in just a few years of its inception. Despite being a new fund house at the time, Axis Mutual Fund was able to get Axis Long Term Equity Fund to deliver supernormal returns since inception—19.49% CAGR v/s 10.29% CAGR of the benchmark S&P BSE 200.

In certain periods, the superior performance of the ELSS fund across market cycles even gave many equity-diversified schemes a run for their money. Such spectacular performance rarely goes unnoticed.

Soon, retail investors started flocking the scheme in large numbers and the fund’s corpus raced passed others in the category. In a matter of just four years, the fund’s AUM grew by 26 times to Rs 13,200 crore in May 2017 from about Rs 500 crore in March 2013. Over the past two years or so, the AUM more than doubled from Rs 5,400 crore in June 2015 to Rs 16,100 crore in December 2017.

To read more about this analysis, please click here.

    Have You Submitted Your Tax Saving Investment Declarations?

6 Tasks To Complete When Parents Pass Away  

There’s some good news for depositors. State Bank of India (SBI) raised interest rates on bulk deposits and also on those made by senior citizens. The rate of increase is in the range of 50 basis points to 140 basis points. A basis point is 100th of a per cent. Other banks may follow suit.

 

Grandfather Clause: A grandfather clause is an exemption that allows persons or entities to continue with activities or operations that were approved before the implementation of new rules, regulations or laws. Generally speaking, a grandfather clause only exempts people or entities engaged in specified activities prior to new rules being put in place, while all other parties must abide by the new rules — however, these clauses effectively place two sets of rules or regulations on otherwise similar businesses or circumstances, which can create unfair competitive advantages for grandfathered parties. In these situations, grandfather clauses may only be granted for a set period of time.

Quote: "If you don't study any companies, you have the same success buying stocks as you do in a poker game if you bet without looking at your cards."‒Peter Lynch