Sunday, 11 October 2020

Risk-o-meter in Mutual Funds - Changes by SEBI

 

Risk in Mutual funds - New Risk number

 

The unforgettable date for investors is 23 April. That was the day when the six-debt schemes were closed and created ripples in the mutual fund debt space.  The lessons we learnt from that episode is very high. The hidden credit risk was revealed in ultra-short-term funds and short-term funds. Investing based on the name of the scheme has not been very effective.  To address these types of shortcomings, SEBI has issued a few new orders. This change will come into effect from January 1, 2021. Let us understand it better, read on

 

Short comings of Current risk-o-meter

At one point, the risk is low when we invest money in a debt scheme. Over time, the risk increases because of portfolio changed done by fund manager, which most investor is not aware of, and the plan has become a more risky than perceived.  usually investor realizes this too late. Sometimes it is leading to a big loss.  Such details are not visible in the current risk-o- meter

 

The next drawback in the current risk-o- meter  classification is based on type of scheme, like equity,  debt and hybrid plans, Investor believe debt are low risk and equity are high risk, but in reality some of the debt plans are high  risk plans

 

Changes by SEBI

SEBI is bringing new changes to address the flaws in the above risk-o- meter

 

 

Six types of category in risk-o-meter

The existing risk-o- meter has five types of division which will become six types in the future. The new category added is Very high risk


 

Risk Measurement Number

A new method for calculating risk number is being introduced in detail for each scheme. The risk measurement will be calculated for each scheme depending on the bonds and equities held by the scheme. The final risk measurement number of the scheme will be calculated by weighed average of individual holing risk numbers in proportion to the weight it has in the folio.  If this number is low, the risk is low.  The higher the risk number, the higher the risk of the scheme.

 

Risk Measurement Method

 

Risk Measurement System in Bonds 

The risk in debt portions are measured in three modes.

 

Credit risk - Scale 1-14

Government papers 1

Below investment grade-lowest 14

 

Interest rate risk

Macaulay duration < 0.5 years 1 

Macaulay duration > 4 years 6

 

Liquidity Risk   1-14 Most detailed Calculation available

 

Risk Measurement System in Equity Securities

 Market capitalization

Large cap - 5

Small cap - 9

 

Volatility

Daily volatility in price < 1%, - 5

Daily volatility in price   >1 %, - 6

 

Impact Cost

 

Average monthly Impact cost < 1%, – 5

Average monthly Impact cost > 2%    - 9

 

Risk measurement number for each scheme is made available to the investors every month. The risk measurement number changes at the end of the year also made visible to investors.

 

Benefits

Online portals like Value research online, Morning star classifies risk in three levels high, low, and Medium. Within medium category, it is very difficult to know relatively which is at high risk and which is at less risk.  This proposed change by SEBI can help easily to determine which of the two schemes is the riskier than the other

 

When we invest in a scheme, the risk number may be 4, may be after a year if the risk number goes to 8, we can review and decide, whether to continue the scheme or exit. - in this way it is very easy to understand the risk and decide on the risk

Finally

This change increases the transparency of the funds. This will be very useful for investors.  Thanks to SEBI

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