SIP Systematic Investment Plan

But overall AUM has increased a mere 6%

The plain-vanilla SIP, however, is simple and doesn't require a lump sum

Brokers will not be allowed to accumulate investors' funds; investors have to verify their personal details online

Industry experts attributed increase in the AUM to inflows in the equity schemes, which reflects the growing confidence of investors.

Large-cap focus, diversification pay off

Compared to March's tally, it was 11% less

After falling 6 per cent in February, the Sensex has declined over 23 per cent in March. Estimates suggest 85-90 per cent of SIP investors are exposed to equity assets.

Invest aggressively to deal with the challenges posed by a longer average life span and an often-curtailed work span

Depending on the risk appetite, investment goal, financial objective and time horizon, mutual funds should be selected across asset and sub-asset classes by assigning weights to them sensibly

Mutual fund industry saw its assets base surpassing Rs 27 lakh crore-mark in November-end on the back of inflows in debt-oriented schemes including banking and PSU funds, which have a high allocation to highest rated bonds. The 44-player industry logged an assets under management (AUM) of Rs 26.33 lakh crore in October-end, as compared to Rs 27.04 lakh crore by November end, representing a growth of 3 per cent, according to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi). Mutual fund houses witnessed an overall inflow of Rs 54,419 crore last month as compared to Rs 1.33 lakh crore in October. Fund managers attributed growth in the asset base to strong inflows of around Rs 51,000 crore in debt-oriented schemes. Among debt-oriented schemes, overnight funds -- invest in securities with a maturity of one day-- received flows worth about Rs 20,650 crore, the highest among the fixed-income segment last month. Apart from this, banking & PSU funds received funds to the tune of .

Allocations to mid-cap and small cap stocks have been managed actively during this period, while maintaining predominant exposure to large cap stocks

SIPs make sense only if invested over the long run. Returns on a short-term SIP are insignificant or volatile

Average monthly flow through SIPs has grown from Rs 1,000 crore a month to Rs 5,000 crore at present

Book some profits in equities and reallocate asset weights