Mutual Fund Returns Calculator

Neither is universally better — it depends on market timing and your cashflow. A SIP averages your cost over time and is well suited to volatile markets and to investors with regular monthly income. A lumpsum can outperform when invested near a market bottom because the entire amount compounds for longer, but it carries timing risk if invested near a peak. If you receive a lumpsum, one common approach is to invest a part of it as a lumpsum and stagger the rest as a STP (Systematic Transfer Plan) over 6-12 months, which combines both behaviors.

Yes — most investors do, and this calculator is designed for exactly that case. You can park a one-time amount as a lumpsum (often into a debt or balanced fund) and simultaneously run a monthly SIP into the same fund or a different fund. Each leg grows independently and both contribute to your final corpus. The combined approach gives you the compounding benefit of the lumpsum from day one and the rupee-cost averaging benefit of the SIP across the rest of the tenure.

Historical averages in India (no guarantees for the future) are roughly: diversified equity funds around 12% per annum over long horizons, balanced (hybrid) funds around 9-10%, and debt funds around 7-8%. Short-horizon returns can be much higher or much lower than these averages. For conservative planning, assume 10-12% for equity, 8-9% for balanced, and 6-7% for debt. Past performance is not indicative of future returns.

No — mutual fund returns are market-linked and not guaranteed. The value of your investment can rise or fall depending on the performance of the underlying securities (stocks, bonds, etc.) held by the fund. This calculator assumes a constant expected return rate purely for illustration; actual year-to-year returns will vary, sometimes substantially. Always read all scheme-related documents carefully and consider consulting a SEBI-registered investment advisor before investing.