Mutual Fund vs PMS: Which is Better?

After putting in a lot of effort, you may have some capital left after paying for all your expenditures. However, one must be cautious when it comes to investing your assets. Nowadays, mutual funds and portfolio management services (PMS) are the most popular investment options available to investors, but do you know how to choose the right one for you?

In this blog, we provide information about mutual funds and PMS and the approach an investor must take to choose between them.

Overview of Mutual Fund

A mutual fund is a type of financial vehicle that pools the capital of several investors with similar investment goals or objectives. The pooled capital is invested in various asset classes, including equities, bonds, commodities, etc., by the fund managers, who are professionals in this field. After deducting expenses and fees, the investor gets the return on their investment. An asset management company, or AMC, is the organization in charge of this procedure.  

In India, mutual funds can be categorized based on asset classes, financial goals and structure. There are four types of mutual funds in India based on asset class-

• Equity Mutual Fund – Due to its vulnerability to fluctuations in the market, this specific mutual fund type is riskier than others because it typically invests in stocks or equities.  
• Debt Mutual Fund – Investors who invest in these funds are risk-averse because they invest in fixed-income securities such as government bonds, corporate bonds, and other fixed-income securities.  
• Hybrid Fund – This fund invests in both debt and equity. The portfolio of hybrid funds will have some allocation to debt to deliver stable and predictable returns, along with some equity allocation to achieve capital appreciation.  
• Money Market Fund – This type of mutual fund invests in low-risk money market instruments, such as treasury bills and commercial paper, with maturities less than a year.  

Overview of Portfolio Management Services

Financial institutions offer portfolio management services or PMS. Investors may purchase this product, and a group of experienced fund managers will use their expertise to determine which asset classes to invest in.

Individuals typically set aside a percentage of their capital for investments, but if they don’t have the investing knowledge, they may not be able to invest it properly. Such investors can invest in portfolio management services (PMS) companies. Investment professionals manage the portfolio according to the client’s risk profile, investment objectives, and preferences. In exchange for these services, investment managers charge fees. 

Types of portfolio management services are:

• Discretionary PMS– Under this category of portfolio management services, the portfolio managers make all investment-related decisions on behalf of the client. Fund managers are not required to consult with investors before making investment decisions. Most customers select this kind of service.  
• Non-discretionary PMS– In this type of service, the fund manager needs the client’s approval before investing. The investment team of PMS provides financial advice to the client, who ultimately chooses whether or not to take it.   

Difference Between Mutual Funds and PMS 

Particular	Mutual Fund	PMS
Minimum Investment Amount	In mutual funds, the minimum investment amount starts from INR 100.	As per SEBI, a minimum investment amount of INR 50 Lakhs is required for PMS.
Customisation	A mutual fund does not allow investors to customize their portfolios.	PMS allows investors to customize portfolios according to their preferences.
Ownership of Assets	Investors don’t directly own underlying assets.	The investor has direct ownership of underlying securities.
Charges	Mutual funds have nominal fees compared to PMS, which generally have higher fees.	PMS has higher fees than mutual funds.
Risk	Mutual funds are suitable for investors with low-risk profiles.	It is typically ideal for high-risk investors.
Transparency	In mutual funds, investors can only track the performance of funds.	Investors of mutual funds can track and view every trade made in their accounts.

Factors to Consider Before Investing in Mutual Funds and PMS

The various factors to be considered before investing in mutual funds and PMS are as follows-

• Risk Profile – The investor’s risk tolerance will determine whether they choose a mutual fund or PMS as their investment option. If investors are ready to take high risks, they should choose PMS. 
• Capital – If an investor has a substantial amount of money to invest, they may choose to opt for portfolio management services (PMS). Investors with a small capital to invest can choose mutual funds. 
• Expense Ratio – Mutual funds investments have a relatively lower expense ratio than PMS. 
• Return Potential – PMS generally offer higher potential returns than mutual funds. Hence, investors seeking better returns may invest in PMS instead of mutual funds. 
• Liquidity – Generally, PMS have longer lock-in periods than mutual funds. 

Read Also: Types of Mutual Funds in India

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are advantages and disadvantages to investing in PMS and mutual funds. If investors want personalized investment services and have a sizable amount of money to invest, they should choose PMS. Investors should consider mutual funds if they have a lower initial investment amount. Investors should consult a financial advisor before investing.

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