Keep equities at 60%, fixed income at 40%

• Stick to SIPs, STPs to avoid market timing risks

- SAIKAT NEOGI

Amid growing volatility and moderate return expectations from equities this year, experts suggest investors should look at a portfolio of 60% in equities, 30% in fixed income and 10% in gold. Large-cap funds are expected to outperform small- and mid-caps in the near term due to premium market valuations.

In an environment of elevated valuations, focusing on quality growth stocks with strong fundamentals, sustainable earnings, and reasonable valuation metrics is key. Investors should prioritize companies with consistent cash flows and lower leverage. Gold can be accessed through exchange-traded funds while real estate investments may be made via real estate investment trusts for flexibility.

Investors should stick to systematic investment plans and systematic transfer plans to avoid market timing risks. Moreover, portfolio rebalancing should be guided by a disciplined approach rather than market timing. In fact, investors should set thresholds for asset allocation deviations and a quarterly review can help realign investments with long-term goals.