Mutual Fund Calculator

Project mutual fund growth with SIP, expense ratios, and fee impact

$0
Final Value (After Fees)

About the Mutual Fund Calculator

A mutual fund calculator projects the growth of your lump sum and systematic investment plan (SIP) contributions over time. It accounts for the fund's expected return and expense ratio, showing you the impact of fees on your final corpus.

Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. This calculator helps you understand how even small differences in expense ratios can compound into significant amounts over long investment horizons, making fee-conscious fund selection crucial.

Use this tool to compare gross returns versus net returns after fees. By adjusting the expense ratio, you can see firsthand how high-cost funds eat into your returns and why low-cost index funds and ETFs have become increasingly popular among savvy investors.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your initial lump sum investment and monthly SIP amount.
  2. Input the expected annual return and the fund's expense ratio percentage.
  3. Set your time horizon and click Calculate to compare gross vs. net returns.

The Formula

The mutual fund calculator computes the future value of a lump sum and SIP using the compound interest formula, then subtracts the expense ratio from the gross return to show the net value after fees.

FV = P(1+r)^n + SIP × ((1+r)^n - 1) / r

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the expense ratio affect my returns?

The expense ratio is an annual fee charged by the fund. Over long periods, even a 1% difference in expense ratios can significantly impact your final corpus due to the compounding effect on fees.

What is a SIP?

A Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) allows you to invest a fixed amount in a mutual fund at regular intervals, typically monthly. It helps average out market volatility and builds wealth through disciplined investing.

What is a good expense ratio for a mutual fund?

Actively managed mutual funds typically charge 0.5-1.5% in expense ratios, while passive index funds charge 0.03-0.20%. Lower expense ratios generally leave more of your returns working for you over time.

Should I choose active or passive mutual funds?

Passive funds that track market indexes tend to outperform actively managed funds over long periods due to lower fees. However, active funds may be beneficial in less efficient markets or specialized sectors.

What is the difference between a mutual fund and an ETF?

Both offer diversified portfolios, but ETFs trade on exchanges like stocks throughout the day, while mutual funds are priced once daily at NAV. ETFs often have lower expense ratios and greater tax efficiency.

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