Investors who want to invest outside of the Indian market can invest in international mutual funds. These foreign mutual funds represent a dynamic and increasingly popular investment avenue in today’s interconnected global economy. Many investors look to expand beyond their home countries and invest internationally in equity investments. International Mutual Funds provide an effective way to achieve this global diversification. Therefore, in this blog, we will explore the meaning, types, advantages, features, and more of international mutual funds. Let’s begin.
Here is a list of the best international funds in India based on their one-year returns:
Note: The data on the list is from 1st October 2024. This data is derived from the Tickertape Mutual Funds Screener.
Category: Thematic Funds: MNC and Global
CAGR 5Y: Sorted from Highest to Lowest
🚀 Pro Tip: You can use Tickertape’s Mutual Fund Screener to research and evaluate funds with over 50+ pre-loaded filters and parameters.
Here is a brief overview of the international mutual funds listed above:
The ICICI Prudential MNC Fund belongs to the Thematic-MNC category and is managed by ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund. This fund focuses on investing in multinational corporations (MNCs), offering a strategy that may help combat inflation over timeNew Delhi Wealth Management. As an open-ended scheme, it allows investors to buy or sell units at any time, with no lock-in period. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had assets under management (AUM) worth Rs. 1,846.06 cr., and its current net asset value (NAV) is Rs. 32.90. The fund’s expense ratio is 0.99%, its 3-yr CAGR is 20.19%, and its 5-yr CAGR is 25.97%.
ICICI Prudential US Bluechip Equity Fund is an open-ended equity scheme from ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund. This fund focuses on investing in securities of large-cap companies listed in the USAhmedabad Stock. The scheme’s performance is benchmarked against the S&P 500 Total Return Index. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had an AUM worth Rs. 3,170.77 cr., and its current NAV is Rs. 71.08. The fund’s expense ratio is 1.08%, its 3-yr CAGR is 14.24%, and its 5-yr CAGR is 18.48%.
UTI MNC Fund is an open-ended mutual fund from UTI Mutual Fund, focusing on equity investments in multinational companies (MNCs). These companies operate globally, providing diverse exposure across various markets. As this is an open-ended fund, investors can buy or sell units of the fund on any business day. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had an AUM worth Rs. 3,174.37 cr., and its current NAV is Rs. 473.14. The fund’s expense ratio is 1.19%, its 3-yr CAGR is 16.47%, and its 5-yr CAGR is 18.17%.
The SBI Magnum Global Fund is a thematic equity fund from SBI Mutual Fund. As an open-ended scheme, it invests at least 80% of its assets in multinational companies (MNCs). These include firms with a major foreign shareholder, Indian companies generating over 50% of their revenue internationally, and those listed abroad. The fund can allocate up to 20% of its assets to non-MNC equities, debt, and money market instruments. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had an AUM worth Rs. 6,788.62 cr., and its current NAV is Rs. 420.78. The fund’s expense ratio is 1.18%, its 3-yr CAGR is 11.86%, and its 5-yr CAGR is 17.86%.
Nippon India US Equity Opportunities Fund is an equity mutual fund offered by Nippon India Mutual Fund. This fund focuses on building a portfolio of high-quality, high-growth stocks listed on major US stock exchanges. It follows a mixed investment strategy, combining top-down and bottom-up approaches without limiting itself to any specific sector or market capitalisation. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had an AUM worth Rs. 682.11 cr., and its current NAV is Rs. 35.55. The fund’s expense ratio is 1.3%, its 3-yr CAGR is 10.54%, and its 5-yr CAGR is 16.71%.
The Aditya Birla Sun Life MNC Fund aims to achieve long-term capital growth while maintaining moderate risk. It invests in multinational companies’ securities using a research-driven strategy. Additionally, the fund allocates a portion to IPOs and other primary market opportunities. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had an AUM worth Rs. 4,054.99 cr., and its current NAV is Rs. 1,625.61. The fund’s expense ratio is 1.29%, its 3-yr CAGR is 14.60%, and its 5-yr CAGR is 15.23%.
Aditya Birla Sun Life International Equity Fund focuses on achieving long-term capital growth by investing in a broad range of international equities and related securities. The fund builds a geographically diverse portfolio, aiming to benefit from the low correlation between various countries. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had an AUM worth Rs. 191.83 cr., and its current NAV is Rs. 38.77. The fund’s expense ratio is 1.93%, its 3-yr CAGR is 7.44%, and its 5-yr CAGR is 11.37%.
Nippon India Mutual Fund manages Nippon India Japan Equity Fund and this fund falls under the “Equity – International” category, focusing on Japanese equity markets. As an open-ended fund, investors can buy or redeem units on any business day. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had an AUM worth RsChennai Investment. 271.05 cr., and its current NAV is Rs. 21.66. The fund’s expense ratio is 1.2%, its 3-yr CAGR is 4.53%, and its 5-yr CAGR is 9.57%.
The Franklin Asian Equity Fund (FAEF) is an open-ended equity fund that offers medium to long-term capital growth. It focuses on investing in Asian companies and sectors, excluding Japan, with strong long-term potential across various market capitalisations. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had an AUM worth Rs. 244.02 cr., and its current NAV is Rs. 32.60. The fund’s expense ratio is 1.68%, its 3-yr CAGR is 1.06%, and its 5-yr CAGR is 7.40%.
The Motilal Oswal S&P 500 Index Fund is an open-ended mutual fund launched by Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund. It aims to replicate the performance of the S&P 500 Index, primarily investing in large-cap stocks within the U.S. equity market. As an open-ended fund, investors can invest at any time. However, its expense ratio is higher than the average for similar funds. As of 1st October 2024, the fund had an AUM worth Rs. 3,474.87 cr., and its current NAV is Rs. 22.20. The fund’s expense ratio is 0.62%, and its 3-yr CAGR is 14.79%.
Investing in international mutual funds can be a straightforward process. Here’s a guide to get you started:
Open a demat/trading/brokerage account. You can open a demat account with smallcase!
Register online at any AMC website.
Explore different international or foreign funds to figure out which one suits your investment objectives.
Investors can use tools like the Tickertape Mutual Fund Screener to sort through these funds and explore their fundamentals and performance in the past.
Proceed to invest by clicking on the appropriate option and specifying the amount and investment mode (SIP or Lumpsum).
Submit your KYC details, including your PAN number and bank details, to finalise your investment.
Note: It is important to conduct thorough research and consult a financial advisor before investing in anything.
International mutual funds are mutual funds investing in foreign stocks. These investment vehicles pool investors’ money to collectively invest in a diversified portfolio of securities based outside of India. These overseas funds work in the same way as any other equity mutual fund. They expose investors to a broad spectrum of global financial markets, including stocks, bonds, and other securities. Unlike domestic mutual funds that focus solely on assets within a specific country, international mutual funds aim to capture opportunities and manage risks on a global scale. Investing in global markets that are likely to grow over a long time makes them effective for the future.
Investing in the best international mutual fund in India is like investing in regular equity mutual funds. You can invest in them in INR, and in return, you get units of the funds. The fund manager takes this money and invests it in stocks of companies listed outside India. Now, you can easily invest in international mutual funds by investing in an existing global fund that already has a pre-designed portfolio. Just like all mutual funds, they follow regulations set by the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
The types of international funds are as follows:
Global Funds: Although their names may sound interchangeable, it’s essential to differentiate between international funds and global funds. Global Funds invest in securities worldwide, including the investor’s home country. Conversely, International Funds invest in securities globally, excluding the investor’s home country.
Regional Funds: As implied by their name, regional funds concentrate on companies within a specific geographical area anywhere globally.
Country Funds: Country Funds exclusively invest in securities from a single foreign country, exposing investors to that country’s economy. However, investing in these funds requires thorough research.
Global Sector Funds: Global Sector Funds target companies within a particular sector across various countries worldwide. These funds prioritise gaining exposure to specific sectors.
Overseas mutual funds, also known as international or global mutual funds in India, come with several distinctive features:
Global Diversification: Overseas mutual funds, including the best US mutual fund in India, provide investors with the opportunity to diversify their portfolios across different countries and regionsJaipur Investment. This diversification may help spread risk and reduce the impact of economic downturns in a specific country.
Asset Variety: These foreign mutual funds, including the best US mutual funds in India, invest in a range of assets such as international stocks, bonds, and other securities. The portfolio may include a mix of developed and emerging market assets, offering investors exposure to various global economic conditions.
Currency Exposure: Investing in overseas mutual funds exposes investors to currency fluctuations. Since the best global mutual funds in India deal with assets denominated in foreign currencies, exchange rate changes can impact investors’ overall returns.
Professional Management: Fund managers with expertise in international markets make investment decisions on behalf of investors. Their goal is navigating and investing in global market trends, identifying growth opportunities, and managing risks associated with different regions and industries.
Liquidity and Redemption: The best foreign mutual funds, including US funds in India, typically offer liquidity to investors, allowing them to buy or sell units based on the prevailing Net Asset Value (NAV). Investors can redeem their units and receive the corresponding value, subject to applicable exit loads.
Despite these risks, international equity funds can offer several potential benefits, including:
Diversification: Investing in international funds in India, including the best Indian mutual funds investing in US stocks, can help to diversify your portfolio and reduce overall risk.
Growth Potential: International markets can offer exposure to different industries and economies, providing opportunities for higher growth in global mutual funds in India.
Hedging Against Inflation: A mutual fund investing in foreign stocks can help hedge against inflation. This is because the best international mutual funds in India may tend to outperform domestic stocks during periods of high inflation.
The growth of the top international funds in India has been impressive in recent years. According to the Investment Company Institute (ICI), assets in international mutual funds and ETFs have grown from $2.3 trillion in 2010 to $4.2 trillion in 2023. This represents a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.4%.
Furthermore, due to the increasing globalisation of the economy, the returns on international funds have been gaining a lot of attention lately. On average, international funds have yielded annual returns of 10.17% over the past five years. The annualised returns for the 3-year and 10-year periods stand at 6.91% and 7.57%, respectively. Therefore, out of 68 international schemes in the market, 30 schemes offered double-digit returns in this year to date.
Additionally, the returns on international mutual funds India can be calculated in a number of ways. The most common method is to use the Net Asset Value (NAV).
To calculate the return on an international mutual fund, you can use the following formula:
Return = (NAV1 – NAV0) / NAV0
NAV1 is the NAV of the fund at the end of the period
NAV0 is the NAV of the fund at the beginning of the period
This formula will give you the total return of the fund, which includes both capital appreciation and income distributions.
Choosing good international mutual funds for investing may require careful consideration of various factors and thorough research. Here’s a step-by-step guide to can help you make informed decisions:
Define Your Investment Goals and Risk Tolerance: Investors can clearly define their investment objectives before diving into specific funds, whether long-term growth, income generation, or a combination. They can assess their risk tolerance, considering their ability to withstand potential market fluctuations when considering US stock mutual funds in India.
Understand Fund Categories and Investment Strategies: International mutual funds, including foreign equity mutual funds, can be categorised. It can be based on investment focus, such as the best global funds in India (investing worldwide), regional funds (focusing on specific regions like Europe or Asia), or country-specific funds. Identify funds that align with your investment goals and risk tolerance.
Evaluate Fund Performance: Investors can analyse the historical performance of potential funds, including their track record of returns, volatility, and risk-adjusted returns. They can consider metrics like the Sharpe and Sortino ratios to assess their performance relative to market benchmarks and peers.
Assess Fund Expenses: Mutual funds charge expense ratios covering operating costs and management fees. Lower expense ratios indicate more of your investment goes towards potential returns. Investors can prioritise funds with competitive expense ratios.
Consider Fund Management and Track Record: Investors can research the fund’s management team, their experience, and investment philosophy. They can assess their track record of managing similar funds and their ability to navigate market cycles.
Interested in Global Brands: If you’re interested in owning shares of global market leaders like Netflix, you can do so through international funds since these companies aren’t listed on Indian stock exchanges. Investing in international funds may allow you to be part of the profits these well-known brands generate.
Exploring Opportunities in Different Markets: Markets can perform differently at various times. While Indian markets may be doing well, others like the US markets might be thriving. By investing in international funds, including Indian mutual funds that invest in US stocks, you can take advantage of opportunities in other markets.
Long-Term Goals and International Funds: If you’re a long-term investor aiming to build a significant corpus for goals like retirement or your child’s education, international funds can be a helpful tool.
Investing in international equities funds may carry several risks, including:
Currency: The value of your investment can fluctuate based on changes in exchange rates. For example, if you invest in a fund that holds stocks denominated in euros, and the euro weakens against the US dollar, the value of your investment will decrease.
Country: Political and economic instability in a country can lead to losses for investors. For example, if a country experiences a civil war or a financial crisis, the value of stocks in that country could plummet.
Liquidity: Some international markets are less liquid than the US market. This means it can be more difficult to buy and sell securities. This can lead to wider bid-ask spreads and higher transaction costs.
Company-Specific: Just like domestic stocks, international shares can also be subjected to company-specific risks. These risks can include poor management, product recalls, or legal troubles.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a reduction in the holding period for equity Funds of Funds (FoFs), overseas FoFs, and gold mutual funds. Let us learn about these changes in detail:
The gains from international mutual funds withholding periods under 24 months are classified as short-term capital gains. The previous holding period for STCG was under 36 months. These gains are taxed according to your income tax slab..
The gains from international mutual funds exceeding holding periods of 24 months are now classified as long-term capital gains. Here are a few changes made to the LTCG tax rate and holding period for international mutual funds:
Holding Period: The holding period for LTCG on international mutual funds was reduced from over 36 months to over 24 months.
Tax Rate: The long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax rate was reduced to 12.5%, previously taxed at 20%.
Prior to this change, investments in international funds held for less than three years were taxed as short-term gains at the investor’s income tax slab rate, and those held longer were taxed at 20% as long-term gains. With the new rule, investments held for over 24 months will now benefit from the reduced LTCG rate of 12.5%, while those held for less than 24 months will still be taxed as short-term gains at the slab rate.
Here are some key factors to consider before investing in international mutual funds:
Geographic Diversification: Investors can evaluate the specific regions or countries the fund invests in and assess whether they align with your diversification goals.
Expense Ratio: Interested investors can consider the fund’s expense ratio, which represents the annual fees charged to manage the fund. Lower expense ratios can positively impact your overall returns.
Tax Regulation: International investments may be subjected to different tax rules than domestic investments. Investors can consult with a tax advisor to understand the tax implications of investing in international mutual funds.
International mutual funds offer investors a gateway to the global marketplace, providing a means to diversify their portfolios and potentially benefit from the growth opportunities available worldwide. As financial markets evolve and become more interconnected, international mutual funds’ role may be likely to remain significant. As always, please do your own research and/or consult a financial advisor before investing.
As an investor to have a diversified mutual funds portfolio, you might also like to know more about these different types of funds for investing –
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