Who is the Winner? Last 10 Years Returns Analysis

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Isn’t diversifying your funds across various asset classes the key to maximizing investment returns and solid financial planning?

Asset allocation, which involves distributing your money among different asset classes, plays a pivotal role in determining the returns of your portfolio.

Research indicates that 93% of your portfolio’s returns depend on asset allocation, while fund selection and market timing contribute 6% and 1%, respectively.

Let’s analyse how different asset classes—government bonds, corporate bonds, gold, real estate, and stocks (large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap)—have performed over the past decade (2015–2024), both annually and on average.

Table of Contents:

Government Bonds

Investments in government bonds have offered average returns of 8.12% over the last decade. In some years, returns were as low as 2%. Although government bonds are secure, their returns fluctuate based on market interest rates.

Additionally, when inflation rates (typically 6%-7%) and taxes are considered, the real returns appear less appealing for long-term goals. Corporate bonds, though riskier, provided similar returns during the same period.

Fixed deposits offered by banks and post offices yielded average returns in the range of 6.5%-7.5%.

Recommendation: These instruments are best suited for short-term financial needs (up to three years) and are not ideal for long-term wealth creation.

Gold and Real Estate

Gold:

Often considered a hedge against inflation, gold provided an average annual return of 10.58% over the last 10 years. However, there were two years with negative returns and two years with single-digit returns.

Physical gold, such as jewellery, may lead to losses due to making charges, GST, and wear-and-tear, amounting to a 12%-15% reduction in value.

Alternatively, digital gold investments through mutual funds, such as Gold ETFs or Gold Savings Funds, are a more profitable option.

Real Estate:

Real estate prices rose at an average annual rate of just 3.94% over the past decade, based on data from urban apartment price trends. All ten years saw only single-digit price growth.

Rental yields from real estate remained at a modest 2.5%-3%. However, land investments, particularly in emerging localities, may offer higher returns due to increased demand driven by population growth.

Recommendation: Gold and real estate are better suited for preserving wealth or for personal use, rather than for high returns.

Stock Market Investments

Performance Over 2015–2024:

• Large-Cap Stocks: Averaged annual returns of 13.6%. This includes one year of negative returns and three years of single-digit returns. In three years, returns exceeded 25%.
• Mid-Cap Stocks: Averaged annual returns of 20.73%. There was one year of negative returns, three years of single-digit returns, and five years with returns above 25%.
• Small-Cap Stocks: Averaged annual returns of 18.98%. This includes three years of negative returns and five years with returns above 25%.

While the stock market carries risks, it offers significantly higher returns for long-term investments compared to other asset classes.

Diversification and Average Returns

Investing equally across these seven asset classes would have resulted in an average annual return of approximately 11.30% over the last decade.

Returns from various Asset Classes in the Last 10 years (%):

Mutual Funds as an Alternative

For small investors, mutual funds offer a way to diversify investments across equity, debt, and gold, with professional fund management to maximize returns.

As of December 27, 2024, mutual funds delivered the following annual returns:

• Large-Cap Funds: 15%-17%
• Flexi-Cap and Multi-Cap Funds: 16%-19.5%
• Mid-Cap Funds: 19%-22%
• Small-Cap Funds: 20%-23%
• Aggressive Hybrid Funds: 15%-16%
• Multi-Asset Funds: 12.75%-17%

Mutual fund managers’ expertise helps ensure higher returns, making them a valuable option for long-term wealth creation.

Final Thoughts

Achieving long-term financial success requires a thoughtful and well-structured approach to investing.

Diversifying your investments across various asset classes can significantly reduce risks and enhance returns.

Whether it’s equities, bonds, gold, or real estate, each asset class offers unique benefits.

However, creating a well-balanced portfolio that suits your financial goals and risk tolerance is crucial.

For a tailored investment strategy, consulting with a certified financial planner can provide expert guidance to make informed decisions and achieve long-term financial success.

Investing wisely is not just about returns – it’s about creating a roadmap that aligns with your aspirations. Professional guidance can make all the difference in achieving those goals confidently and efficiently.