COMPARATIVE STUDY OF DEBT AND EQUITY FUNDS IN INDIA
Authors:   SCHOOL OF BUSINESS GALGOTIAS UNIVERSITY, KUMAR RISHI 
Published: April 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the features of debt and equity funds in the Indian financial market, including their suitability, liquidity, tax implications, risk-return profiles, and other relevant factors. Through the purchase of fixed-income assets such as government bonds, corporate bonds, and money market instruments, debt funds look for investments that have low volatility and consistent returns. Equity funds, on the other hand, have a significant amount of their assets invested in equities, which can result in increased volatility but may also result in higher returns over the long term. According to the findings of the study, equity funds have the potential for bigger returns, while debt funds have a lower risk profile. This is the conclusion reached after comparing the two types of funds. Furthermore, the study investigates the tax consequences of both types of funds, which is crucial because taxes play a large influence in the decisions that are made regarding investments. Debt funds are subject to the short-term capital gains tax if they are kept for a period of time that is shorter than three years. The tax rate on long-term capital gains, on the other hand, is twenty percent, and indexation advantages are included. For equities funds that have been held for more than a year, the tax rate is 10% without indexation on profits that exceed ₹1 lakh. However, the tax rate for gains that are held for a shorter period of time is 15%. This study also investigates liquidity, which is another important factor to consider. Due to the greater liquidity of debt funds in comparison to individual fixed-income instruments, investors have more flexibility to withdraw their money from debt funds when they require it. This is because debt funds have better liquidity. It is possible for the underlying stocks of an equity fund to have an effect on the liquidity of the fund. In general, large-cap funds have superior liquidity than small-cap funds or sector-specific funds. In addition, the various investor profiles and the ways in which debt and equity funds are incorporated into their portfolios are discussed. Those who are retired, conservatives who are looking for returns with a reduced level of risk, or investors who have time horizons that range from short to medium are suitable candidates for debt funds. On the other hand, equity funds are more suitable for long-term investors who are willing to take on a greater degree of risk in the expectation of potentially bigger returns. Additionally, they are an excellent choice for individuals who are interested in riding the stock market's growth wave. Although debt and equity funds are complementary additions to any investor's portfolio, they perform distinct functions and have distinct risk-return profiles. Nevertheless, they are both beneficial to the investor. Prior to making decisions on investments, investors should do a comprehensive evaluation of their level of risk tolerance, investment horizon, and financial objectives. They ought to also give some thought to the possibility of diversifying their investments across a variety of asset classes. A comparative analysis like this one will prove to be a very useful resource for individuals who are considering making investments in India's financial markets. Keywords:- Debt funds, Equity funds, Risk-return profiles, Taxation, Liquidity, Investment suitability, Indian financial market.