Mutual funds are a popular kind of investment preferred by millions throughout the world due to the diversification they offer at a fair price. Mutual funds are categorised based on their characteristics, which include the possible risk, the type of investment, and the asset class upon which the investment is based.
In India, mutual funds are divided into two categories based on their investment structure, or whether they are open-ended or closed-end funds. Whether a fund is open-ended or closed-ended is determined by the degree of investment freedom and the ease with which shares can be bought or sold. An open-ended mutual fund has the flexibility to be purchased or sold at any time, as opposed to closed-ended funds, which can only be purchased at the time of their inception and redeemed once their investment period has elapsed.
What Are Closed-Ended Mutual Funds?
Closed-end mutual fund scheme only allows investments during the fund’s NFO term. After the NFO period has concluded, investors are no longer eligible to invest. These funds are initially offered for a specified amount of time, such as three or seven years, after which the assets are liquidated and investors receive their money back along with any investment returns (or losses). In addition, investors can undertake to buy/sell transactions on stock marketplaces where these funds are listed during the duration of the plan. Investors can choose to invest in these funds based on their risk aversion, investment horizon, and financial aspirations.
How Does Close-Ended Mutual Fund Work?
A closed-end fund is introduced in the same manner as a mutual fund through a New Fund Offering (NFO). Investors subscribe to this fund by submitting an application within the allotted time frame. The fund house lists the fund on the stock exchange once the NFO closes.
The fund is now open for unit purchases and sales on the stock exchange. However, the outstanding unit count will stay unchanged. In addition, the fund house may occasionally repurchase units from current investors at the NAV. NAV determines the value of the closed-ended fund. However, the actual price of the fund relies on its demand and supply. Consequently, these funds may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV. Each week, the NAV of these funds is reported. Investors can remain invested in the fund until its typical maturity of 5-7 years. The relevant information is provided during the fund’s launch.
Advantages of Close-Ended Mutual Funds
- Systematic Approach to Investing.
The fixed maturity of the mutual fund plan encourages disciplined investment because units are held until maturity. This contributes to your money’s capital appreciation and long-term growth.
- Prices
Closed-end funds are frequently exchanged on stock exchanges, similar to equity shares. This allows investors to buy or sell fund units at real-time prices that may be above (premium) or below (discount) the NAV. In addition, they can utilize standard stock trading strategies such as market/limit orders and margin trading.
- Stability
The investments in closed-end funds remain steady following the expiration of the NFO period and until the scheme’s maturity. As a result of the fund management not having to liquidate holdings to address redemptions, investors receive higher returns.
- Liquidity
The close-ended schemes appear to be illiquid since the fund house prohibits redemption of units until the scheme’s maturity. Nevertheless, the stock exchange permits investors to purchase and sell units at real-time pricing. Therefore, close-ended schemes provide investors with a high degree of liquidity.
Disadvantages of Close-Ended Mutual Funds
- Lumpsum Investment.
One can only invest in closed-end funds during the NFO window. Therefore, investors can only invest a lump sum payment in these funds. Additionally, this raises the risk for investors. In addition, many salaried individuals cannot afford a lump sum investment. However, for most retail investors systematic investment plans are their preferred method of investing (SIPs)
- Historical Data
The open-ended fund provides a snapshot of the fund’s historical performance throughout many market cycles. In closed-end funds, however, the track record is unavailable. Consequently, investing in closed-end funds is fraught with risk. The performance of the fund is totally dependent on the actions of the fund manager.
List Of Best ELSS Closed-Ended Mutual Funds In India (as per 5-Year Return)
| Scheme | 5-Year Return | AUM (INR) (Cr) |
| SBI Tax Advantage Fund Series III | 24.16% | 30.98 |
| SBI Long Term Advantage Fund Series IV | 22.24% | 180.46 |
| SBI Long Term Advantage Fund Series III | 16.72% | 60.94 |
| SBI Long Term Advantage Fund Series II | 15.76% | 32.60 |
| SBI Long Term Advantage Fund Series I | 15.08% | 38.26 |
Source: AMFI (data as of 11/10/2022)
What Are Open-Ended Mutual Funds?
Open-ended funds are perpetually available for purchases and redemptions. Investors typically refer to open-ended funds while discussing mutual funds. These funds do not have a maturity date or a cap on the number of investors they can accept. Open-ended funds can be purchased and traded even after the New Fund Offer (NFO) period. Open-ended funds include equity-linked savings scheme (ELSS) mutual funds, Flexi-cap funds, mid-cap funds, large-cap funds, etc.
Note that ELSS mutual funds have a three-year redemption period during which you cannot withdraw your investment. However, they are open-ended funds since, after three years, you can hold your investment for an extended period of time and take assets whenever necessary.
The Net Asset Value (NAV) of open-ended mutual funds fluctuates daily based on market prices. SIPs systematic investment plan can be used to invest in open-ended funds.
Advantages of Open-Ended Mutual Funds
- Liquidity.
Investors may redeem fund units at any time based on their needs and desires. Unlike other investments, these funds may be redeemed at any time at their current Net Asset Value NAV. This adds a vital liquidity and flexibility component to the investor’s portfolio.
- Past Performance
The open-ended fund provides a snapshot of the fund’s historical performance throughout many market cycles. The historical performance report includes annual returns, trailing returns, and rolling returns, among others. Therefore, it aids an investor in making a prudent investment decision.
- Accessibility to Systematic options.
Open-ended mutual fund schemes allow investors a variety of systematic investment and withdrawal options. The investor may select SIP, SWP, or STP based on their needs. Typically, Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) are excellent for salaried investors or those without a surplus that can be invested. Investing via Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) also helps to develop a nest egg from scratch.
- Portfolio Diversification
Open-ended funds assist investors in diversifying their portfolios in accordance with their financial plan and investing objectives. Additionally, portfolio diversification minimizes the likelihood of risk overall.
Disadvantages of Open-Ended Mutual Funds
- Market Risk
Even when actively managed by a fund manager, open-ended mutual funds are nevertheless subject to market risk. The Net Asset Value of the fund changes daily based on the performance of its underlying securities; however, the fund manager attempts to mitigate the volatility by diversifying the fund’s holdings. Therefore, open-ended mutual funds are highly volatile and susceptible to market risk.
- No Option for Asset Allocation
Open-ended fund managers are selected based on their qualifications and prior fund management experience. They choose all stocks for the fund-related evaluations. Consequently, the asset allocation of the fund is determined without input from investors.
- Exit loads
Exit Loads are also levied to open-ended mutual funds. Typically, If you withdraw money from the fund before a certain time period, often one year, you will incur these fees. Therefore, if an open-ended mutual fund is subject to capital gains tax, the fund’s final returns will be lower.
List of Best Open-Ended ELSS Mutual Funds in India (as per 5-year return)
| Scheme | 5-Year Return | AUM (INR) (Cr) |
| Quant Tax Plan | 23.97% | 1,916.56 |
| Canara Robeco Equity Tax Saver Fund | 16.85% | 4,176.05 |
| Mirae Asset Tax Saver Fund | 16.14% | 12,924.97 |
| Bank of India Tax Advantage Fund | 15.73% | 645.62 |
| IDFC Tax Advantage (ELSS) Fund | 14.33% | 3,808.01 |
Source: AMFI (data as of 11/10/2022)
Difference Between Open Ended and Closed Ended Mutual Funds
| S.No. | Open-ended Mutual Funds | Close-ended Mutual Funds |
| 1. | The fund managers must adhere to the scheme’s objective. In addition, there is pressure on the fund manager in open-ended mutual fund schemes due to the investors’ ability to redeem money at any time. | In closed-end mutual funds, there is no pressure on the fund manager because investors cannot redeem their shares until the end of the scheme’s duration. |
| 2. | There is no set maturity term for these plans. | These schemes have a three to five-year fixed maturity period. |
| 3. | Mutual fund units are bought and sold at the fund’s declared Net Asset Value. | Mutual fund units prices fluctuate according to supply and demand. |
| 4. | An open-ended fund’s corpus fluctuates as a result of continual purchases and redemptions. | A closed-ended fund’s corpus is fixed because no new units are ever issued for sale that go above the limit. |
| 5. | Transactions are processed at the end of the day. | Transactions are completed on real-time basis. |
| 6. | The schemes are not listed on the stock exchange. | Close-ended mutual funds schemes are listed on the stock exchange |
Who Should Invest In Open-Ended Mutual Funds?
Any investment in a mutual fund depends on the investor’s investment objectives. These products are ideally suited for investors that seek unrestricted access to liquidity. Investors seeking to diversify their financial portfolios might also consider investing in these funds.
In addition to the aforementioned requirements, the investor must also satisfy the SEBI’s eligibility standards. According to SEBI, an investor of a mutual fund can be Indian residents over the age of 18, Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) residing abroad, companies (including public sector undertakings), corporate bodies, trusts (through trustees) and cooperative societies, religious and charitable trusts (through trustees), and private trusts authorised to invest in mutual fund schemes under their trust deeds, foreign institutional investors registered with SEBI, and foreign institutional investors registered with SEBI
Who Should Invest In Close Ended Mutual Funds?
Closed-end funds are suitable for investors with a defined investment horizon. These funds have a lock-in period, but the units trade on the stock market. Investors who are comfortable with this as per their financial objective, investment horizon and risk appetite may wish to consider purchasing units.
These funds may not provide significant financial gains due to their fixed duration. These funds are available to investors who wish to invest and hold onto their money. Moreover, these funds do not support SIP. Investors can only invest in them in lump sum. Therefore, investors who are comfortable investing large sums of money can invest in these funds.
How To Invest?
Investors can invest directly or contact mutual fund agents and distributors for information and application forms. Investors must invest through the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI)-registered distributors whose AMFI Registration Numbers are valid (ARN).
For direct plan investments, the investor requires a financial advisor but is not required to pay commissions to distributors. He may directly invest through digital platforms such as Kuvera. This maximizes returns on closed-end mutual funds. If the investment is made through a distributor, they are obligated to reveal all commissions (in the form of trail commission or any other way) payable to them for the numerous competing schemes of mutual funds from which the scheme being recommended to the investor is selected.
Investors also have the opportunity to invest directly in mutual funds by visiting the fund’s branch office or by using mutual fund websites online. Forms can be sent to mutual funds via the agents and distributors who offer these services. In addition to using online aggregator websites, investors have the option of investing in these funds.
Before making an investment, the investor should consider the performance history of the mutual fund or investment program. Investors should also examine the scheme’s product labeling.
FAQs
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How to identify Open-ended Mutual funds?
The NAV of an open-ended mutual fund fluctuates daily due to stock market fluctuations and changes in bond prices. An open-ended fund starts when the NFO ends. Investors are permitted to enter and quit the fund at any time. However, close ended mutual fund does not permit entry or exit after the NFO period until the maturity of the fund. Therefore, a mutual fund that permits investors to invest and withdraw at any time and that discloses its NAV daily is open-ended.
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What is the Net Asset Value of mutual fund scheme?
The Net Asset Value of a given scheme of a mutual fund indicates its performance (NAV).
NAV is the market value of the scheme’s holdings. Since the market value of securities fluctuates daily, the NAV of the same plan fluctuates daily. The NAV per unit is the market value of a scheme’s securities divided by the total number of units at any given date. For example, if the market value of a mutual fund scheme’s assets is INR 200 lakh and the fund has issued 10 lakh units at INR 10 a piece to investors, the NAV per unit of the fund is INR 20 (i.e., 200 lakh/10 lakh). Each day, mutual funds are obligated to declare their NAV.
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How is taxation levied on open-ended and close-ended mutual fund schemes?
Closed-ended mutual funds are taxed like open-ended mutual funds.
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- Short-term capital gains on equities funds are taxed at 15%, while long-term capital gains exceeding INR 1 lakh are taxed at 10%.
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- For debt funds, short-term capital gains are taxable at the investor’s income tax bracket rate. Similarly, long-term capital gains are taxed at 20% with an indexation benefit.
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