Hazel Calvin

Investors who desire a regular flow of income from mutual funds usually choose between dividend investing and Systematic Withdrawal Plans (SWPs). Though both methods provide periodiccash flows, the way the government taxes them impacts the net return. Therefore, an understanding of the best tax-efficient option can help investors in planning better.

What is a systematic withdrawal plan?

A systematic withdrawal plan allows an investor to withdraw a fixed sum of money from their mutual fundinvestment at fixed intervals. Instead of receiving dividends on the fund, investors withdraw a portion of their holdings, principals, and profits together.

Tax treatment of SWP

Here’s how taxes are levied on SWP:

Equity funds: Tax is levied only on the capital gains portion of every withdrawal. Anything more than Rs. 1.25 lakh of Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG) is taxed at 12.5%. On the other hand, short-term gains are taxed at 20%.

Debt funds: These are taxed according to the income tax slab of the investor, irrespective of the holding period. Investors can, however, plan their withdrawals strategically. For example, redeeming before March 31, 2025, means the gains will be added to the investor’s income for that financial year, potentially increasing their tax burden if they fall into a higher tax bracket. Conversely, redeeming after April 1, 2025, shifts the tax liability to the next financial year, which could be beneficial if the investor expects lower taxable income, thereby falling into a lower tax slab.

What is dividend investing?

Dividend investing involves choosing mutual funds that distribute their returns to investors in the form of dividends. These funds offer a regular income, but they are subject to taxation.

Tax treatment of dividends

Mutual fund dividends are taxed based on the investor’s tax bracket. Investors in the highest tax bracket (30%) pay a much higher tax on dividends than investors in other tax brackets.

Example: If an investor receives Rs1 lakh as a dividend and is in the 30% tax bracket, they will have to pay Rs 30,000 in tax, which will reduce their net returns.

Drawback: The whole dividend income is taxed at the individual’s income tax rate, which will impose a greater tax burden than SWP.

Other factors to consider

Investors need to consider a few more factors prior to investing:

Impact on the fund’s NAV

• Dividends reduce a mutual fund’s Net Asset Value (NAV) because they are distributed out of the fund’s corpus.
• SWP withdrawals redeem units but do not affect NAV at a structural level.

Investment goals and liquidity

• SWP suits investors with specific income and tax optimisation requirements.
• Dividend investing could be more suitable for investors seeking automatic payments of income.

Conclusion

Given the current tax structure, SWPs often provide greater tax efficiency compared to dividend payouts, particularly for investors in higher tax brackets. By carefully planning withdrawals, investors can manage their tax liabilities more effectively with SWPs. It’s advisable to consult with a tax professional to tailor investment strategies to individual financial situations and goals.

In the world of public speaking, the lead spweaker holds a unique and significant role. Whether it’s at a conference, seminar, or corporate event, the lead speaker is typically the individual who sets the tone, frames the key message, and inspires the audience to engage and reflect. The role is far beyond just delivering content—it involves guiding the audience through a structured narrative that resonates deeply. Becoming an effective lead speaker requires a blend of skills, preparation, and an understanding of how to influence the emotions and thoughts of the audience. This article explores the importance of a lead speaker, their key responsibilities, and the qualities that define someone successful in this role.

The lead speaker plays a pivotal role in any speaking engagement, as they are often the main figure who establishes the purpose and direction of the event. Whether in a small gathering or a large-scale convention, the lead speaker serves as the anchor, responsible for guiding the audience through the event’s themes and topics. Their role goes beyond simply delivering information; it involves fostering a connection with the audience and ensuring the message is received in the most impactful way.

Defining the Lead Speaker’s Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of the lead speaker is to effectively communicate the central message of the event. This often involves presenting complex ideas or concepts in a way that is accessible and engaging to the audience. The lead speaker’s ability to break down challenging topics and make them relatable is crucial for ensuring that the message resonates with attendees. Whether they are addressing a corporate audience, a group of students, or an industry-specific crowd, the lead speaker needs to craft their speech to meet the needs and expectations of those listening.

Another core responsibility of a lead speaker is to create an atmosphere of engagement and interaction. A skilled lead speaker can draw the audience in, making them feel like active participants rather than passive listeners. This dynamic often involves asking thought-provoking questions, encouraging feedback, or even integrating interactive elements into the presentation. Creating an engaging environment ensures that the audience feels involved, which ultimately helps in driving home the key message.

Moreover, the lead speaker is responsible for setting the tone and pacing of the event. They are often the first person to take the stage, and their performance sets expectations for the rest of the event. A strong and confident delivery by the lead speaker can energize the audience, while a lackluster presentation may cause disengagement. It is also the lead speaker’s job to provide clarity and organization throughout the event, ensuring that the sequence of presentations flows logically and the message is coherent.

Essential Qualities of an Effective Lead Speaker

While the technical aspects of public speaking are important, the most successful lead speakers share a number of key qualities that set them apart. These qualities help ensure that their message is delivered with the right level of impact, and that they are able to connect with their audience in a meaningful way.

First and foremost, effective lead speakers are exceptional communicators. They understand the power of words and how to use them to evoke emotions, convey complex ideas, and engage the audience. Clear articulation and thoughtful language are essential for a lead speaker to be understood, especially when addressing diverse audiences. Their ability to speak with conviction, passion, and authenticity allows them to make a lasting impression and ensures that the content is not only heard but also felt.

Confidence is another critical quality for a lead speaker. A speaker’s confidence in themselves and their message translates into trust and credibility with the audience. When a speaker exudes confidence, it instills confidence in their listeners. This allows the audience to fully engage with the message without questioning the speaker’s authority. Being comfortable in front of an audience, handling nerves, and delivering a polished performance are all hallmarks of a confident lead speaker.

Empathy is equally important for effective communication. The best lead speakers are attuned to the needs and emotions of their audience. They understand the value of connecting on a personal level, which can often mean adjusting their delivery or tone to better align with the mood or atmosphere of the event. Empathy allows lead speakers to gauge the audience’s reaction and adjust their approach in real-time, ensuring that the message is received in the most appropriate and impactful way.

Adaptability is another quality that sets successful lead speakers apart. Every speaking engagement is different, and the best lead speakers are able to tailor their message to suit the unique needs of each audience. This requires a level of flexibility, as the speaker must be able to pivot their approach based on the audience’s reactions or the flow of the event. Whether it’s changing the delivery style, altering the content, or responding to questions in a way that builds upon the discussion, adaptability is key to maintaining engagement and relevance.

How a Lead Speaker Influences the Event

A lead speaker can have a profound influence on the overall success of an event. Their energy, delivery, and ability to engage with the audience can set the stage for the rest of the event. By establishing a strong connection with the audience, the lead speaker helps to create a sense of shared experience, which enhances the impact of the message.

The lead speaker’s role is also critical in ensuring that the event stays on track and within the desired framework. They are often the one to introduce the themes, key topics, and speakers, and their ability to seamlessly guide the event from one segment to the next is an essential part of the overall flow. This organization and direction are particularly important for larger conferences or seminars, where the event can easily become disjointed without a clear sense of continuity.

Additionally, the lead speaker helps to foster an environment of trust and openness. In many cases, the audience will look to the lead speaker to set the tone for the rest of the event, which means that the speaker must cultivate a sense of respect and approachability. A lead speaker who is open, engaging, and responsive can create an atmosphere where the audience feels safe to participate and contribute their thoughts. This sense of involvement can dramatically increase the overall success of the event.

Developing the Skills of a Lead Speaker

For those looking to step into the role of a lead speaker, developing key public speaking skills is essential. Practice is critical, as is receiving feedback from others. A lead speaker must also work on refining their delivery, learning how to project their voice, and practice body language that conveys confidence and authority. There are various training programs, courses, and coaching services available for those who wish to improve their speaking abilities. These tools help individuals hone their communication skills, build their confidence, and better understand the nuances of effective public speaking.

The ability to understand the audience and adjust accordingly is another skill that can be developed over time. Observing audience reactions, reading body language, and understanding verbal cues are all important aspects of adjusting the delivery to keep the audience engaged. Through practice and reflection, individuals can develop these skills to become more effective lead speakers, capable of commanding attention and delivering messages that leave a lasting impact.

The global financial markets have changed their dimension entirely. They came up with instruments that enabled foreign trading. One such hit instrument is Gift Nifty. The working philosophy of the instrument will bring the Indian and international markets closer and will create an opportunity and freedom for investors.

Thus, the logic, implications, and benefits should be understood from the perspective of the traders wishing to expand their portfolios globally.

A Global Stock Exchange Evolution

International Stock exchanges have continuously transformed themselves to meet the demands of contemporary investors, allowing for the establishment of an international trading platform enabling investors all over the world to order the various global markets from their respective places. Henceforth, these markets allowed traders to diversify further mitigate their risks while

Opportunities for breakout trades capitalizing on emerging opportunities in the moves of the international equity markets. Thus, trading across borders has been facilitated by advanced technologies whereby the prices are to be expressed in every time zone, making it possible for traders all over the world to trade whenever they want.

Reasons for Cross-Border Trading

There are several reasons why an investor would want to look beyond his local market for certain opportunities. One reason is diversification since it will help offset risk during local calamities. Another reason is exposure to various economies that may be operating on different economic cycles and growth patterns. When investment opportunities go cross-border, the investor profits from whatever moves the market that does not really impact the local stock exchange.

Major Benefits of Participation in International Markets

With their global integration, these markets provide various advantages, ranging from knowledge of diverse sectors and industries. They would also benefit from arbitrage opportunities because price differences between the markets can generate profits. Another problematic aspect of international commerce is that developing countries tend to offer a far higher growth rate relative to developed countries. Investors adopt this investment strategy to counterbalance their risks with maximum prospective gains.

Market Trend Understanding and Its Timing

Across each nation, market trends exist, and international trading is correlated with the knowledge of the extent of influence on investment. Therefore, time is extremely critical for all kinds of profitable trades; conversely, the different markets operate in their time zones. With respect to investment decisions, investors are expected to be updated on sound global economic indicators, adjustment changes in interest rates, and changing geopolitical developments. This will ultimately enhance their chances of validating trading decisions regarding the trading proposition.

Conclusion 

A component of utmost importance in international trade is, above all else, risk management. Currency fluctuations followed by political instability or economic downturns can both have severe ramifications on investment performance. Through strategic risk mitigation techniques such as hedging and diversification, investors sweeten the consequences of unforeseeable market movement affecting their portfolio. Well-executed research and disciplined execution will ensure minimizing losses and maximizing gains.