What RISK Actually Means in Equity Mutual Funds (Not What You Think)
Confused about mutual fund risks? This story will simplify the fear — and calm your investing nerves.
Bunny was staring at his Rs. 1000 mutual fund portfolio… for the 5th time this week.
Market thoda upar, thoda neeche… and his heartbeat?
Full rollercoaster.
“Uncle, yeh mutual fund toh bhot risky hai,” he said, eyes glued to his red-coloured dashboard after the recent fall in Stock Market.
“Mera paisa FD me hi theek hai… at least neend toh aati hai.”
“Uncle, sab bolte hain — equity mutual fund is risky, stock market is risky, SIP bhi risky hai…
main to apna paisa FD me hi dalunga, kal Narain Uncle bhi bol rahe the ki stock market to ’satta bazaar hai’..!!
I poured him another cup of chai — this time, with a pinch of perspective.
Bunny is a professional. Smart but scared. Wants to grow money, but also wants to sleep peacefully.
Investing Uncle is wise, comic, desi money mentor. Speaks less like Business News Channels or Social Media Finfluencers and more like Uncle next door.
“Kabhi lagta hai kuchh miss kar raha hoon. Kabhi lagta hai, sab galat kar raha hoon.”
I let Bunny finish his emotional TED Talk.
Then I sipped my chai and said:
“Bunny, sabse bada risk kya hai pata hai?”
“Apna saara paisa sirf FD mein daal dena aur fir ‘inflation’ naam ki ‘deemak’ use khaaaa jaaegi.”
He blinked. “Matlab?”
“Dekho Bunny,” I said, folding my arms,
“Risk ka matlab sirf 'loss' nahi hota. Risk ka matlab hai —
‘Outcome uncertain hai.’”
“Aur life mein kuchh bhi certain hai kya?
Shaadi? Boss ka mood? Petrol ka price?”
Bunny chuckled.
“Toh equity mutual fund mein bhi uncertainty hai —
kabhi returns ache, kabhi average. Par long-term mein trend upar hi jaata raha hai India me.”
Uncle Gives a Simple, Desi Explanation
“Phehle yeh Samjho Bunny — risk teen level pe hote hain Equity Mutual Fund me:”
1. Price Movement Risk (Short-Term Volatility)
Market kabhi girta hai, kabhi chadhta hai.
Itna mat socho, yahi to stock market hai.
2. Behavioral Risk (Khud se khatra)
Market se zyada damage investor apne dimaag se karta hai.
Fear mein bech diya, greed mein FD se paisa nikal kar Equity me daal diya — yeh hi asli risk hai.
3. Time Risk (Less Patience = More Pain)
Agar 1–2 saal ka Time horizon hai, toh risk high nhi, highest pro max hai.
Agar 10 saal ka patience hai, toh risk low, lower, lowest ho jaata hai.
Isn’t this Simple..!!
Bunny Gets Clarity
“Uncle, toh agar main regular invest karta rahunga, SIP se, long-term ke liye…”
“...and I don’t panic with ups and downs…”
“...toh mujhe risk se darrna nahi chahiye?”
“Bilkul.
Market ka up-down short-term hota hai.
Wealth creation ka magic long-term me hota hai.”
“Samjho — Mutual Fund ka asli dushman investor ka short term panic hai.”
Bunny was nodding now.
Not fake nodding like during Zoom calls — real, samajhne waala nod.
Bunny Becomes Smarter, Calmer, and Wiser
Bunny started Educating himself more by reading “Investing Uncle Blogs”.
Switched off daily notifications from Social Media Finfluencers.
And added a sticky note on his mirror:
“My goal is not 6-month returns. My goal is long term growth + peace of mind.”
After a while,
he stopped watching the Sensex 5 times a day.
And started enjoying his life more.
Dear Reader = Hero
If Bunny — the app-checking, fear-fuelled, confused investor —
can learn to respect risk instead of fearing it…
So can you.
You don’t need to be fearless.
You just need to be patient.
And follow a plan, not panic.
“Mutual fund risk is like a Delhi auto — bumpy ride, but it gets you where you want… if you don’t jump out mid-way.”
Did this blog help clear the fog around “risk”?
If yes, share it with a friend who’s still scared of mutual funds.
Let’s help India invest smarter, one Bunny at a time.
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Hope this blog adds real value to your long-term investing journey.
If YES, Maybe you treat Uncle with a cup of Tea?
Disclaimer: Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully before investing. The past performance of the mutual funds is not necessarily indicative of future performance of the schemes. Investors are requested to review the prospectus carefully and obtain expert professional advice with regard to specific legal, tax and financial implications of the investment/participation. This blog/Website is for Educational purpose only. Any reference should not be treated as any form of Financial Advice.
Any person referred to in this post is purely coincidental. The characters, names, and situations mentioned are for illustrative and educational purposes only and are not intended to represent any real individual.
‘Investing Uncle’ is NISM Series V-A Certified (Mutual Fund Distributor’s Certification Examination) conducted by National Institute of Securities Markets (NISM)
Investing Uncle is not SEBI/AMFI Registered.