Liquid Fund

Liquid funds are used primarily as an alternative to short-term fix deposits. Liquid funds invest with minimal risk (like money market funds). Most funds have a lock-in period of a maximum of three days to protect against procedural (primarily banking) glitches, and offer redemption proceeds within 24 hours.

Liquid funds score over short term fix deposits. Banks give a fixed rate in the range 5%-5.5% p.a. for a term of 15-30 days. Returns from deposits are taxable depending on the tax bracket of the investor, which considerably pulls down the actual return. Dividends from liquid funds are tax-free in the hands of investor, which is why they are more attractive than deposits.