Introduction
Direct Plan vs Regular Plan: What is best? is the question that plagues every investors mind. We will reflect upon the characteristics of both the options. Knowing the respective characteristics will help lay the foundation of facts basis which we can make our individual choice. Further, before we talk about steps to start investing in Mutual Funds, its important we understand few things first. When we say ”investing in Mutual Funds” we essentially mean investing in a particular scheme of a particular Mutual Fund Company also called AMC. There are over 2000 mutual fund schemes spread across 40+ Mutual Fund companies (AMC’s). Each mutual fund scheme has 2 Plans. These are Direct Plan and Regular Plan.
Commonality and Difference between Direct and Regular
Both plans i.e Direct Plan and Regular Plan have few things in common. Firstly, both the plans are part of the same scheme. Secondly, both plans are managed by the same fund manager. Thirdly, both the plans have common portfolios. The only area where both plans differ is the expense ratio. In consequence to this there is a marginal difference in their Net Asset Value (NAV). The NAV difference ranges from 0.10% to 1.00% approximately. Lets look at the potential difference between the two and what attributes to difference in their NAV’s.
Table of contents
In line with the above, the topics below shall encapsulate and address the ambiguities related to Direct Plan and Regular Plan.
- What is Direct Plan in Mutual Funds?
- What is Regular Plan in Mutual Funds?
- Comparison: Direct Plan vs Regular Plan
- Why NAV is different in Direct Plan & Regular Plan?
- Is percentage difference in NAV of Direct Plan & Regular Plan constant for all schemes?
- Things to remember in context to Direct and Regular
- Conclusion: Direct Plan or Regular Plan: What is best?
What is ''Direct Plan'' in Mutual Funds?
When investor invests in a particular Mutual Fund Scheme directly with the AMC, by default the investment goes under Direct Plan. Key characteristics are:
Key Characteristics of Direct Plan
- Investor makes investment directly with Mutual Fund Company (AMC). Hence, there is no intermediary (Advisor/broker)
- No commissions are paid by the Mutual Fund Company (AMC) in consequence to point no.1 above
- Returns are higher than Regular Plan in the range of 0.10% to 1.00% approximately in consequence to point no.2 above
Merits of Direct Plan
- Returns are higher than Regular Plan in the range of 0.10% to 1.00% approximately
Demerits of Direct Plan
- No access to Mutual Fund Trading Platform such as BSE STAR MF
- Multiple account creation in the absence of BSE STAR MF: Investor has to create online account with each AMC to invest in its schemes
- Multiple mandate registration in the absence of BSE STAR MF: Investor has to register for fresh mandate with each AMC to invest in its schemes through SIP
- No Fringe benefits of BSE STAR MF such as:
- 24/7 order placement
- Option to invest in Overnight Funds
- Option to invest in Sovereign Gold Bond Fund Scheme (SGBs)
- Investment advice by intermediary is non existent
- Periodical scheme performance analysis by intermediary is non existent
- Relay of latest market news by intermediary is non existent
To gain more insights on BSE STAR MF, read our article: Best way to invest in Mutual Funds. To register for BSE STAR MF click here
What is ''Regular Plan'' in Mutual Funds?
When investor invests in a particular Mutual Fund Scheme through a intermediary, by default the investment goes under Regular Plan. Key characteristics are:
Key Characteristics of Regular Plan
- Investment is through the intermediary (Advisor/broker)
- Commissions are paid to intermediaries by the respective Mutual Fund Company (AMC) on total investments made by the investor
- Returns are lower than Direct Plan in the range of .10%-1.00% approximately in consequence to point no 2 above
Merits of Regular Plan
- Access to Mutual Fund Trading Platform such as BSE STAR MF
- Freedom from Multiple account creation as a result of BSE STAR MF: Investor can invest in schemes of all AMC’s through BSE STAR MF portal without worrying about creating online account with each AMC
- Freedom from Multiple mandate registration as a result of BSE STAR MF: Investor can invest in SIP seamlessly without worrying about fresh mandate registration with each AMC
- Other Fringe benefits of BSE STAR MF such as:
- 24/7 order placement
- Option to invest in Overnight Funds
- Option to invest in Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGBs)
- Investment advice by intermediary is existent
- Periodical scheme performance analysis by intermediary is existent
- Relay of latest market news by intermediary is existent
To gain more insights on BSE STAR MF, read our article: Best way to invest in Mutual Funds. To register for BSE STAR MF click here
Demerits of Regular Plan
- Returns are lower than Direct Plan in the range of 0.10% to 1.00% approximately
Comparison: Direct Plan Vs Regular Plan
Direct Plan
- Returns are higher than Regular Plan in the range of 0.10% to 1.00% approximately
- No access to Mutual Fund Trading Platform such as BSE STAR MF
- Multiple account creation in the absence of BSE STAR MF: Investor has to create online account with each AMC to invest in its schemes
- Multiple mandate registration in the absence of BSE STAR MF: Investor has to register for fresh mandate with each AMC to invest in its schemes through SIP
- No Fringe benefits of BSE STAR MF such as
- 24/7 order placement
- Option to invest in Overnight Funds
- Option to invest in Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGBs)
- Investment advice by intermediary is non existent
Regular Plan
- Returns are lower than Direct Plan in the range of 0.10% to 1.00% approximately
- Access to Mutual Fund Trading Platform such as BSE STAR MF
- Freedom from Multiple account creation as a result of BSE STAR MF: Investor can invest in schemes of all AMC’s through BSE STAR MF portal
- Freedom from Multiple mandate registration as a result of BSE STAR MF: Investor can invest in SIP seamlessly without worrying about mandate registration with each AMC
- Fringe benefits of BSE STAR MF such as
- 24/7 order placement
- Option to invest in Overnight Funds
- Option to invest in Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGBs)
- Investment advice by intermediary is existent
To gain more insights on BSE STAR MF, read our article: Best way to invest in Mutual Funds. To register for BSE STAR MF click here
Why NAV is different in Direct Plan and Regular Plan?
Many investors find it intriguing as to why the NAV of Direct and Regular are different when scheme is the same. The answer to that lies in understanding the basic difference between the Direct Plan and the Regular Plan. Technically, the actual NAV of the scheme is reflected in the NAV of Direct Plan. The NAV of Regular Plan is slightly lower than Direct Plan. It is attributed to the component of commission payout to the intermediary and related expenses.
The above explanation can be illustrated in a simple example. Lets assume the NAV of Direct Plan is Rs.100/- per unit and the NAV of Regular Plan is Rs.99.00/- per unit. The difference in the NAV is Re.1.00/- per unit which is 1 %. This 1% less NAV of Regular Plan is attributed to the commission payout and related expenses.
Is percentage difference in NAV of Direct Plan and Regular Plan constant for all schemes?
Having understood the rationale behind difference in NAV’s of Regular & Direct, it leads to another intriguing question. And that is: Does percentage difference in NAV of Direct and Regular remain constant for all the schemes in Mutual Funds? Well, the answer to that is : It may or may not. The difference in NAV between Direct Plan and Regular Plan is a function of percentage commission payout and related expenses. The commission payout varies between type of schemes. For instance, the liquid scheme may have a commission payout of 0.05% and hence the NAV difference can be 0.10%. Similarly, ELSS scheme may have 0.45% commission and the NAV difference could be 0.60%. Some equity oriented schemes may have 0.75% commission and hence the difference in NAV could be 1.00%.
Things to remember in context to Direct and Regular
SEBI introduced Direct Plan in the year 2013. Till then, Mutual Fund Schemes had just one plan. It was introduced in the interest of those investors who were investing directly with AMC’s and not through the intermediary. During those times the Mutual Fund platforms such as BSE STAR MF were at their early stages and also not that popular. Ever since the Direct Plan got introduced it became the in thing. It gained strength with advertisements advocating for Direct Plan to save on commission. Not on Direct Plan was soon recognized as sign of ignorance and amusement.
Infact, the introduction of Direct Plan was the most sensible decision of the governing body. It was accorded with over whelming applause by the investor community. However,the decision to opt for Direct or Regular should not be accompanied by the prejudice on either Direct or Regular. Nothing is right or wrong unless it is logically driven, deliberate and well thought through. In light of the same, we must remember few things:
Don't be penny wise and pound foolish
The saying ”Don’t be penny wise and pound foolish” is easier said than done. The human psychology tends to look at something immediate than be far sighted.
The above point is in context to usual investor decision to opt for Direct Plan. The sole objective is to save commission payout and enhance returns. And it enhances returns by how much? A pity and meagre up to 1%. Let us look at this illustration :
Illustration: There are 2 investors A and B . Investor A opted for scheme ABC under Direct Plan while investor B opted for scheme XYZ under Regular Plan. Lets assume 2 things. Firstly, both the schemes were purchased at the NAV of Rs.100/-. Secondly, the commission payout in both the schemes is 1%. After 1 year the NAV of scheme ABC becomes 112 while the NAV of XYZ becomes 115. Hence, investor A has earned a return of 12% while investor B has earned a return of 15 %. Investor B despite being on a Regular Plan is a winner.
Hence , its not just about Direct Plan or Regular Plan, its about wise allocation of funds in schemes that bear fruits.
Don't fall for popular inducements
Decision to opt for Direct Plan is mostly in consequence to the aggregate effect of several external inducements. Popular inducements are:
- A television advertisement advocating Direct Plan to save 1% commission
- A You tube video showing how saving 1% will make you save millions over years
- Friend or colleagues advice over a corridor discussion
- Overheard the group conversation highlighting merits of Direct Plan
There is no denial that the above inducements does hold authenticity with respect to what it speaks about. It may be as authentic as it would be to cut your own hair to save on barber’s cost. Multiply barber’s cost per month by 20 years compounding at 12%. It will save you handsome amount.
In line with the above, the investor needs to use its prudence than simply fall trap to any inducements. And yes, Direct Plan does give investors higher returns by approximately 1%. However, it does not make the world of difference with respect to the expectancy of returns from the investments made.
Key objective is wealth creation
It may not be appropriate to base your investment decision solely on saving commission. Remember, saving commission is not your key objective. Your key objective is wealth creation. Commission paid on your investment is one miniscule part of the wealth created. Direct plan for the sake of zero commission payout and hence higher returns may not be a bad idea. However, the focus should be more on allocation of funds basis the risk appetite and investment objective.
Higher return is a function of scheme performance
Higher returns is a function of scheme performance and not Direct Plan or Regular Plan. Scheme performance is a function of the performance of underlying equity in the stock market.
In context to the above, Direct Plan provides investor higher return by approximately 1% as compared to Regular Plan as there is no commission payout. However, direct plan being what it is holds no guarantee of the performance of the scheme. The same holds true for Regular Plan as well.
Conclusion: Direct Plan vs Regular Plan: What is best?
To opt for Direct Plan or Regular Plan is purely a function of investors choice and priority.
Direct Plan as a choice
Direct Plan is ideal for those investors who accord higher importance to the following:
- Avoid paying commission on their investment over the merits of Regular Plan
Regular Plan as a choice
Regular plan is ideal for investors who accord higher importance to the following :
- Avoid multiple online account creation with each AMC. Through BSE STAR MF portal, investor can invest in all mutual fund schemes
- Avoid Multiple Mandate Registration with each AMC. Through BSE STAR MF portal, investor can seamlessly create SIP’s of schemes across AMC’s
- Fringe benefits of BSE STAR MF such as
- 24/7 order placement,
- Option to invest in Overnight Funds,
- Option to invest in Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGBs) etc.
- Unbiased guidance on investments provided by the intermediary
To gain more insights on BSE STAR MF, read our article: Best way to invest in Mutual Funds. To register for BSE STAR MF click here
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