Ultra Short Duration Funds

Ultra short term funds are mutual funds that invest in securities and instruments belonging to the fixed-income earning category, with maturities of up to six months. They are close to liquid funds as they offer more liquidity than any other fund category with long term investments. View More

As per SEBI guidelines for liquid funds, such funds cannot invest in securities that mature beyond 91 days. But these rules do not apply to ultra short term funds. These funds can invest in funds that mature before or after 91 days. The horizon for these funds ranges from a week to 18 months.

Best Ultra Short Duration Funds

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Who Should Invest in Ultra Short-Term Funds?

Ultra short term funds are fixed income mutual fund schemes that invest in debt and money market securities. They are less volatile and produce more stable income in comparison to longer duration investments. Ultra short duration fund is best suited for those having surplus funds to park for 1-9 months and earn dividends on them. View More

These funds are subject to both credit risk as well as interest rate risk, and hence they can be a good choice for investors who understand this kind of risk level.
Conservative investors who can remain invested for a period ranging between 3 months to 1 year should go in for these investments.

According to experts, ultra short term funds can be used by investors for both short term investments as well as for systematic transfer plans (STPs). For example, suppose a person intends to invest in equity funds instead of putting all their funds in a one-time lump sum fund. In that case, they may invest it in an ultra short term fund belonging to the same fund house and later instruct your fund manager to switch a regular amount to your equity fund every month.

It should be noted that these funds do not generate assured returns or capital safety. However, if you hold funds for more than three months, then the possibility of incurring losses is much lower.

Features of Ultra Short Term Funds

Ultra short term funds are excellent for investors with an investment horizon of 6 months and a lower risk preference. These funds offer better returns than keeping your money in a savings bank account. While investing, you should keep your financial objectives and investment plans in mind. Some of the features of ultra short term funds are: View More

Ultra short term funds are open ended funds, and the maturity varies from fund to fund.
The maturity period of these funds is very short but longer than other liquid funds.
Investors can buy and sell the units of these funds according to their NAV (Net Asset Value) on the day of the redemption.
These are fixed income mutual fund schemes that invest in both debt and money market securities.
The returns from these funds are quite predictable as they are immune to interest rate changes considering their short term maturity duration.

Factors to consider while investing in Ultra Short Term Funds

Here is a list of factors to be considered before investing in Ultra Short Term funds: View More

Risk
Due to the short maturity of their underlying assets, ultra short-term debt funds, unlike other debt funds, are partially immune to interest rate threats. These funds are somewhat riskier than liquid funds, nevertheless. When the fund manager includes low-credit rating securities in his investing strategy with the hope of future improvement, he may add credit risk. Additionally, the addition of government securities may cause the fund’s volatility to rise above expectations.

Return
If all other conditions are met, an investor can anticipate returns from ultra short-term funds of roughly 7% to 9%. By comparing this return rate with the various fund categories, you can see that these returns are a little more than what a liquid fund, for example, can bring in over the same one to nine-month time horizon.

These funds are havens for fixed-income investors, but they don’t provide returns that are guaranteed. When interest rates in the economy increase, these funds’ NAV(NAV) often declines. They are therefore appropriate for a system of lowering interest rates.

Cost
An expense ratio is a cost associated with managing your money in very short-term funds. SEBI limits the maximum expense ratio to 1.05%. Long-term holding periods and lower expense ratios will help recoup the money lost due to changes in interest rates compared to liquid funds, given the overall returns provided by these products.

Tax on Gains
Capital gains from investing in these funds could be taxed. The holding period, the length of time you remain invested in this fund, is used to determine the tax rate.

Short-term capital gains are capital profits generated in less than three years (STCG).

Long-term capital gains are those gained over three years or longer (LTCG).

The STCG increases the investor’s income from these funds, and his income bracket determines his tax rate. Taxes on long-term capital gains (LTCG) from these funds are 20% after indexation and 10% without it.

Financial Horizon
The short-term instruments’ coupon is how ultra short-term funds make money. These securities’ prices are subject to daily fluctuations and relatively long maturities. Since they are far more erratic than liquid funds, a brief period may not seem like enough time to produce adequate returns. Due to the higher average maturity of the underlying securities, you need to keep these products for a more extended period than you would with liquid funds.

Financial Targets
These monies are available for a range of uses. These funds may be helpful if you need to set aside money for three- to one year. Furthermore, you could want to use these to move your money to a riskier choice like equity funds.

Put a big sum of money into these funds and start an STP for systematic transfers to equity funds. You might consider them a second haven you can utilize as an emergency fund. If you require regular income, put some of your superannuation funds into them and start a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP).

Taxability of Ultra Short Term Funds

Having low maturities, the returns from ultra short term funds are predictable. The return is calculated on the rise and fall of the NAV. Gains from ultra short term mutual funds are taxable. The duration of the investment determines the tax ratio. View More

When investments are for less than three years maturity duration, they come under the short term capital gains category (STCG). A tax amount is charged by adding the amount of the return to your total income and then taxed as per your income tax slab rate.

On the other hand, investments with a holding period of more than three years fall under the long term capital gains (LTCG) category. They are then taxed at a rate of 20% with indexation benefit and 10% without indexation benefit.

Since gains from ultra short term funds fall under the first category of STCG, they are taxed accordingly.

Risks Involved With Ultra Short Term Funds

Even with the best ultra short term funds, there are certain risks involved, despite having a lower interest rate risk owing to their short maturity. They carry the same category of risks, just like any other mutual fund. View More

Credit risk- The fund manager’s investment strategy might have low credit quality securities, expecting to upgrade them in the future. This risk of default by the issuer of the underlying securities exposes the fund to credit risk.

Interest rate risk- There is always a risk pertaining to the increase and decrease in the interest rates on the value of the fund, even though the returns on ultra short term funds are more or less predictable owing to their short maturity duration.

Liquidity risk- This risk may arise due to the fund house’s inability of not having sufficient liquid funds to meet their redemption requests.

Hence, to minimize the above risks involved with ultra short term funds, it is important to research about the portfolio fund and ensure that investments are done in high rated securities.

Further, you need to make sure that the fund manager/ fund house has relevant experience in managing investments and switching interest rate regimes amidst rising and falling markets so that your fund performs optimally.

Advantage of Ultra Short Term Mutual Funds

Ultra short term funds invest in very short term debt funds and are practically free of any kind of market risk or interest rate risk. View More

There are several advantages of investing in ultra short fund portfolios which can be listed as under:

Good to park your short-term money- Any surplus money which you do not require for a period of 3 to 6 months can be parked in the ultra short term funds. You can opt for quarterly or six monthly payments, and thus make a little higher returns on your investments without taking too many additional risks.

Very low total expense ratio (TER)- These funds are required to provide MTM daily basis. However, being invested for less than a year, these funds have very low price risk levels. Also, even though these funds charge exit loads, the exit ratio is much lower than short term funds.

Popular Ultra Short Duration Funds

  • Fund Name
  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • 3Y Return

ICICI Pru Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 09-01-13 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager Manish Banthia. With an impressive AUM of ₹13,814 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹26.0213 as of 18-08-23.

ICICI Pru Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 7% in the last 1 year, 5.5% in the last 3 years, and an 8.1% since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹5,000, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹5,000
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹13,814
  • 3Y Return
  • 7%

Aditya Birla SL Savings Fund – Direct Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 01-01-13 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager Kaustubh Gupta. With an impressive AUM of ₹14,783 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹483.726 as of 18-08-23.

Aditya Birla SL Savings Fund – Direct Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 6.9% in the last 1 year, 5.2% in the last 3 years, and an 8% since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹1,000, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹1,000
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹14,783
  • 3Y Return
  • 6.9%

L&T Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 02-01-13 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager Jalpan Shah. With an impressive AUM of ₹1,504 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹37.4717 as of 25-11-22.

L&T Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 21.2% in the last 1 year, 22.1% in the last 3 years, and an - since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹10,000, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹10,000
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹1,504
  • 3Y Return
  • 21.2%

Canara Robeco Ultra Short Term Fund – Dir Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 02-01-13 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager Suman Prasad. With an impressive AUM of ₹581 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹3536.9053 as of 18-08-23.

Canara Robeco Ultra Short Term Fund – Dir Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 6.5% in the last 1 year, 4.4% in the last 3 years, and an 6.9% since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹500, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹500
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹581
  • 3Y Return
  • 6.5%

UTI-Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 01-01-13 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager Ritesh Nambiar. With an impressive AUM of ₹2,493 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹3956.0207 as of 18-08-23.

UTI-Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 6.8% in the last 1 year, 6% in the last 3 years, and an 7.4% since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹500, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹500
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹2,493
  • 3Y Return
  • 6.8%

PGIM India Ultra Short Duration Fund-Dir Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 02-01-13 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager Puneet Pal. With an impressive AUM of ₹377 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹31.097 as of 18-08-23.

PGIM India Ultra Short Duration Fund-Dir Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 6.8% in the last 1 year, 4.9% in the last 3 years, and an 8.1% since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹5,000, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹5,000
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹377
  • 3Y Return
  • 6.8%

SBI Magnum Ultra Short Duration Fund-Dir Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 01-01-13 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager R Arun. With an impressive AUM of ₹15,030 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹5301.3872 as of 18-08-23.

SBI Magnum Ultra Short Duration Fund-Dir Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 6.7% in the last 1 year, 4.7% in the last 3 years, and an 7.2% since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹5,000, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹5,000
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹15,030
  • 3Y Return
  • 6.7%

Invesco India Ultra Short Term Fund-Dir Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 02-01-13 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager Krishna Cheemalapati. With an impressive AUM of ₹714 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹2504.8247 as of 18-08-23.

Invesco India Ultra Short Term Fund-Dir Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 6.8% in the last 1 year, 4.8% in the last 3 years, and an 7.3% since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹1,000, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹1,000
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹714
  • 3Y Return
  • 6.8%

Tata Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 22-01-19 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager Akhil Mittal. With an impressive AUM of ₹1,668 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹12.9357 as of 18-08-23.

Tata Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 6.9% in the last 1 year, 5% in the last 3 years, and an 5.8% since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹5,000, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹5,000
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹1,668
  • 3Y Return
  • 6.9%

AXIS Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth is an Ultra Short Duration scheme that was launched on 10-09-18 and is currently under the management of our experienced fund manager Aditya Pagaria. With an impressive AUM of ₹5,214 Crores, this scheme's latest NAV is ₹13.5682 as of 18-08-23.

AXIS Ultra Short Term Fund – Direct Growth scheme has delivered a return performance of 7% in the last 1 year, 5.2% in the last 3 years, and an 6.4% since its launch. With a minimum SIP investment of just ₹5,000, this scheme offers a great investment opportunity for those looking to invest in Ultra Short Duration funds.

  • Min SIP Investment Amt
  • ₹5,000
  • AUM (Cr.)
  • ₹5,214
  • 3Y Return
  • 7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are ultra-short duration funds, and who are they suited for?

Open-ended debt mutual funds, known as ultra short-term funds, invest in securities with maturities between three and six months. Conservative investors who value dependable returns should choose these ETFs.

What is the tax on ultra short-duration funds?

Capital gains from investing in ultra short-duration funds could be taxed. The holding period, the time you remain invested in this fund, determines the tax rate.

The STCG increases the investor’s income from these funds, and his income bracket determines his tax rate. Taxes on long-term capital gains (LTCG) from these funds are 20% after indexation and 10% without it. 

Which are some of the top ultra-short-term duration funds?

Some of the top ultra short-term duration funds are ICICI Prudential Ultra Short-term fund growth, Aditya Birla Sun Life Savings- Growth, L&T Ultra Short Term Fund-Growth, Canara Robeco Ultra Short-term fund stable growth, UTI Ultra Short-term fund stable growth, PGIM India Ultra Short Duration Direct-growth, SBI Magnum Ultra Short Duration Fund Direct-growth, Invesco India Ultra Short-term fund direct-growth, Tata Ultra Short-term fund direct-growth, and Axis Ultra Short-term fund Direct-growth.

What are some of the factors that need to be considered before investing in ultra-short duration funds?

Some factors that need to be considered before investing in ultra-short duration funds are risk, return, cost, tax on gains, financial horizon, and financial targets.

What is the risk associated with the Ultra Short Duration Funds?

Due to the short maturity of their underlying assets, ultra short-term debt funds, unlike other debt funds, are partially immune to interest rate threats. These funds are somewhat riskier than liquid funds, nevertheless.

When the fund manager includes low-credit rating securities in his investing strategy with the hope of future improvement, he may add credit risk. Additionally, the addition of government securities may cause the fund’s volatility to rise above expectations.

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