Wealth Creation Strategy : Asset Allocation is Basic Hygiene in Volatile Times..

by Mr. Brijesh Damodaran,  Zeus Wealth Ways LLP

It is that time of the year again when you need to take stock of your investments. A review of the portfolio at predetermined intervals should be part of your wealth-creation strategy.

Share, Gold, Real Estate..

From January 1 to May 31, the SENSEX generated less than 1% absolute return while fixed income -  both long- and short-term - generated annualised returns in excess of 12 % and 8 %, respectively.  But, since June this year, the tables have turned. The Sensex has generated absolute returns in excess of 8 % and while short-term fixed income is stable (8 %), long-term fixed income and bond funds have generated returns in excess of 6 %.

Gold has been the biggest underperformer this year. After an unprecedented upward run since 2007, returns from the metal have been down more than 10 % for the year.

Real estate is another asset class that gave lukewarm returns this year. Rising inventories &  delays by developers in handing over projects have resulted in soft prices.

Once again, this proves that the only friend you can rely upon is a sound asset allocation strategy. Getting the asset allocation right and staying put with the strategy is what will lead to optimum returns in a volatile world.

Asset allocation..

Typically, investors in India have a bigger exposure to fixed income instruments like debt mutual funds & the evergreen bank fixed deposit (FD) compared to equity, which has yet to find favour with investors given the volatility since 2008 & inadequate corporate governance.  However, this anomaly can be cured with the asset allocation strategy, the framework of the investments.

Equity: It’s ‘the time in the market’ and not timing the market that ensures handsome returns. This was again proved right this year.

Since August this year (2013), the SENSEX has delivered absolute returns in excess of 20 %. For the whole year, the figure stands over 8 %.

However, if you exited during the lows of August, you would be sitting on a negative return of over 10 %. Always remember that equity is for the long haul and select stocks or / diversified mutual funds with a horizon in excess of 5 years.

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