Mutual Funds & Cricket: Same, Same But Different? 🤔
Hello!!
I hope you’ve all begun collecting your documents for ITR Filing and have braced yourself for a tinier salary. I know by now y’all know the basics of personal finance and investing, but let’s test:
What I was up to: This week was next to impossible for me to get through in one piece. Amidst all the year-end madness at FinCocktail, handovers from internships ending, and whatnot, my son Krishu has been sick (he’s doing much better, and he's back to school). So, I think I safely add “Omnipresent” to my resume’s skills section now!
By the way, did you watch this episode of our podcast where Sayali talks to Pankaj Gupta, the visionary behind restaurants like Oye Kake, Taftoon, Kerala Quarters, and Cirqa 1960. Beyond the restaurants, he opens up about the financial strategies that have helped him build a thriving business, as well as key insights on managing money in an industry that many consider risky. Check it out right away:
We are now registered mutual fund distributors!! If you would like to check it out, you can fill out this form and our team will get in touch with you soon :)
Market ka haal: Over the past four days, Sensex and Nifty have seen wild swings, like the balls bowled to🏏 Shreyas Iyer (Isn’t he just amazing?) as investors reacted to mixed global cues and domestic uncertainties. As of yesterday, Nifty 50 declined by 0.77% to close at 23,486.85, while Sensex dropped 0.93% to 77,288.50. This downturn was primarily due to profit-booking by investors after a seven-session rally and concerns over potential U.S. tariffs expected to be announced next week. 📉
While volatility may persist amid global trade uncertainties, the current dip could be a strategic opportunity for long-term investors to accumulate quality stocks at attractive valuations. 📊 I mean, you probably should—experts predict that Nifty could end 2025 between 25,000-27,000 levels. Sounds reasonable and great, right? 😉
Humara Gyaan: Mutual fund investing can feel confusing, but let’s break it down cricket-style, because the IPL Fever is here and like most of y’all, I’m infected too, haha! Just like in cricket, where you can choose to watch the match at the stadium or on TV with expert commentary, mutual funds offer two ways to invest: Direct and Regular (Indirect) plans.
1️⃣ Difference In Expense Ratio🎟️
Direct Mutual Funds are like buying a match ticket yourself 🏟️: You go to the stadium, book the ticket directly, and avoid any extra charges. Direct plans have a lower expense ratio (fewer fees) because there’s no middleman.
Regular Mutual Funds are like booking your match tickets through an agent 🎫: The agent charges a commission for getting you a good seat. You pay extra, but they take care of everything. Regular Funds have a dedicated fund manager who will essentially “take care of everything,” so they charge a commission for it.
2️⃣ Transparency & Control ⚡
In Direct Funds, you are the team’s captain, like in gully/street cricket: You pick the squad (mutual funds), decide when to change players (rebalance portfolio), and take full ownership of your strategy. You organize the game, set the rules, and make decisions independently.
Investing in Regular Funds is like playing in a coached cricket academy: You receive structured guidance, training, and strategies from a coach who helps improve your game. Your coach picks the team, and while they may make good choices, their interests may not always align with yours.
Advisors in regular plans sometimes recommend funds based on commissions rather than performance. Going direct means zero bias—just performance-driven decisions.
3️⃣ What Should You Pick? 🤔
🏆 Go Direct if:
✔ You’re confident in researching and tracking funds
✔ You want to avoid extra fees & maximize returns
✔ You’re NOT a beginner and you prefer full control over investments
🎯 Go Regular if:
✔ You’re a beginner who wants expert support in selecting funds
✔ You prefer someone else managing the heavy lifting
✔ You’re okay with slightly lower returns in exchange for advice
Like what you’re reading? Please share this with your friends and have them sign up too!
Instincts are everything, yes! But with money & investments, I’d say logic is always one step above instincts. Just like how you know so much more about cricket (and the world) now, than how much you knew as a child, you will know better about investing, eventually. Whether you choose to invest in Direct Funds or Regular Mutual Funds, the ultimate goal is to stay invested and play the long-term game. 🏏🔥
Here’s to sharpening your instincts🍻
Niyati❤️