TARGET MATURITY FUNDS vs FIXED MATURITY PLANS Where TMFs score: Transparent, low on credit risk and cost-efficient

FMPs don't face the issue of liquidity management but have higher costs

-  BINDISHA SARANG

Fund houses are currently coming out with the new fund offers (NFOs) of both Fixed Maturity Plans (FMPs) and Target Maturity Funds (TMFS).Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund (MF) has launched Kotak Fixed Maturity Plan Series 329 90 Days, while Nippon India MF has come out with Nippon India Fixed Maturity Plan XLVI Series 5.

NFOS of TMFS are currently on from Axis MF (Axis CRISIL IBX SDL June 2034 Debt Index Fund) and Kotak Mahindra MF (Kotak Nifty AAA Bond Jun 2025 HTM Index Fund).

Date of launch no longer relevant

 Earlier, fund houses launched FMPS towards the year-end, enabling investors to get indexation benefit for an extra year. From April 1, 2023 onwards, gains made in debt mutual funds are taxed at the investor's slab rate.

"With the loss of indexation benefit in debt funds, the timing of FMP launches is not relevant for tax planning. But the timing can still affect an FMP's performance, depending on the prevailing interest rates and market conditions," says Shweta Rajani, head-mutual funds, Anand Rathi Wealth.

Pros and cons of FMPS

FMPS remain an option for investors who believe interest rates could head downward over time and wish to lock in the current rates.