Investment options in a falling interest rate scenario

However, softening of the interest rate by the RBI leads to a fall in the prevailing fixed deposit (FD) rates, i.e., banks may also reduce the interest rates on FDs.

Though fixed deposits are considered safe investment options, one needs to look at the marginal rate of tax since investments in fixed deposits are suitable for people in the lower tax bracket. Post-tax returns on FDs are not very attractive for those in the higher tax bracket.

Debt mutual funds & interest rate

Right now, we are in a falling interest rate scenario. The RBI started reducing interest rates from April 2012. Interest rates are cyclical and they can’t remain stagnant for a long time, especially in an economy like India, which is growing at a fast rate. Falling interest rates provide investors not only an opportunity to lock in money at high yields, but also offers capital gains from the rally in bond prices.

How it works?

The prevailing interest rates in the economy have a direct impact on financial markets. In various phases of the interest rate cycle, different categories of mutual funds outperform the market. In a falling interest rate scenario, debt-oriented funds, mostly with a higher average maturity, do well. This is because debt funds invest in fixed-income securities issued by

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