Asset Allocation

A portfolio invested entirely in equities typically suffers the deepest drawdowns, whereas adding debt investments can substantially reduce losses during market corrections.

A simple rule of thumb is to divide your age by two to determine the percentage of your portfolio that should be invested in gold. Under this rule, a 30-year-old investor would hold 15% in gold, while someone aged 50 would allocate roughly 25% to the precious metal.

Since the start of the US-Iran war in February, the Nifty Defence Index has delivered positive returns of 18.7%, while the Nifty IT Index declined 12.5%. Experts advise investors to avoid short-term reactions, focus on diversified funds, and use SIP investments during periods of market volatility.

Investors who already have 3 to 5 SIPs running should review their existing portfolio before adding another fund. The expert recommends focusing on 5 key areas: goal alignment, portfolio overlap, risk balance, contribution sizing, and regular portfolio reviews.

SIPs are effective for discipline, but they don't ensure a balanced portfolio. Proper portfolio construction requires mapping goals, managing asset allocation and avoiding excessive risk. Critical review and diversification are essential to protect against poor outcomes and market volatility.

During the accumulation stage, investors will have access to regular income and a long investment horizon, allowing them to take advantage of the potential for growth in assets such as equities.

Zerodha Fund House has launched the life cycle fund series, becoming the first AMC to offer target-date mutual funds in the Indian mutual fund industry. The life cycle fund category was introduced by SEBI in February 2026.

FPI selling in BFSI may trigger market volatility, but disciplined asset allocation and diversification can help investors manage risk, stay invested and build long-term wealth steadily.