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A disappointing report on the U.S. labor market, a spike in oil prices and the specter of a protracted Middle East war converged at the end of a turbulent week, fueling fears of a stagflationary spiral that threatens to derail the U.S. economy. 

The U.S. lost 92,000 jobs in February, well below January’s gain of 126,000 and far worse than the 50,000 jobs expected by economists. The unemployment rate ticked higher, to 4.4%.

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Over a period of time, women in India have increasingly taken charge of their financial futures. From opening demat accounts, investing in mutual funds, FDs, crypto, and planning for retirement, women are becoming active participants in the country’s investment landscape. Yet many still face challenges when it comes to building the right investment portfolio, staying disciplined during market ups and downs, and planning for long-term goals such as retirement or financial independence.

Mutual funds have emerged as one of the most accessible investment tools for women because they offer diversification, professional management, and flexibility through options such as systematic investment plans (SIPs) and lump-sum investments. However, the key to success lies not just in investing, but in building the right portfolio at the right stage of life.

On the occasion of Women’s Day 2026, ETMutualFunds reached out to women financial experts to understand how women investors can build a strong mutual fund portfolio, stay disciplined during volatile markets, and avoid common investment mistakes.

Building right mutual fund portfolio at different life stages

A woman’s financial priorities often evolve with life stages — starting with early career savings, moving to family responsibilities, and eventually focusing on retirement planning. In the early stages of a career, women typically have a longer investment horizon and fewer financial obligations. Then the responsibilities grow in the mid-career stage — such as buying a home, raising children, or planning for education expenses. Closer to retirement, the focus gradually shifts toward preserving capital and generating stable income.

Ennette Fernandes, Fund Manager- Equities, Canara Robeco Asset Management shared with ETMutualFunds that a certain mix of different asset classes may be considered as it helps in maintaining balance between long term investment plans and contingency requirements. However, the investors should assess their risk appetite, investment objective and goal before investing.

Priti Rathi Gupta, Founder of LXME shared with ETMutualFunds that investing is not complex, just apply the simple thumb rule to guide your mutual fund investment which is the equity portion should be 100 – age.
Gupta said that if you are in your 20s or early 30s, time is the greatest asset you possess, so it is wise to invest 70-80% in equities and the remainder in debt. As you grow into your 30s to 40s, more responsibility is added to your plate. So, it is wise to invest 60-70% in equities and 30-40% in debt.Finally, when you reach your 50s or beyond, the priority is to secure the capital. So, it is wise to invest 30-40% in equities and 60-70% in debt and in every decade of your life, it is wise to maintain a liquid fund that will suffice for at least 8 months’ expenses to act as a safety net in the face of adversity. SIPs are your best friends in every decade of your life, as they eliminate the need to time the market, are the most disciplined way to invest, and let the power of compounding work its magic, Gupta said.

Staying disciplined during market volatility

Market volatility is inevitable, but disciplined investing can help investors stay on track with their financial goals. SIPs encourage regular investing regardless of market conditions. By investing a fixed amount at regular intervals, investors benefit from rupee cost averaging — buying more units when prices are low and fewer when prices are high. This helps reduce the impact of short-term market volatility

Gupta said that the best way to tackle the ups and downs of the markets is also the simplest one: don’t stop your SIPs! Market fluctuations, or rather the fall in the markets, are the best times to invest if you’re effectively accumulating more assets at lower prices.

She further said that before you start investing, make sure you set a goal for yourself so that temporary market fluctuations don’t affect your mindset. While it is essential to keep a tab on them, over-tracking your investments is also likely to lead to panic, especially during uncertain times so the key is to be patient and follow the practice of periodic portfolio reviews and rebalancing. If you’re still unsure, just think of the reason why you wanted to start investing in the first place! Lastly, consult a trusted advisor before making any impulsive decisions.

To this, Fernandes said investors usually lose sight of the fact that investing is for the long term during such periods of market volatility. However, staying disciplined is essential during such times.

Planning investments for long-term goals

For many women, financial goals include retirement planning, building a safety net, supporting family needs, and achieving financial independence. Retirement planning is particularly important because women often have longer life expectancies and may take career breaks due to family responsibilities. This makes long-term financial planning even more crucial.

Fernandes said it is imperative that a Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) goal post is established for such long-term goals and followed in a disciplined manner.

Gupta said that the earlier you start investing, the more time the power of compounding has to work its magic, and even small investments today have the potential to accumulate a huge amount for you in the future so invest wisely and diversify your investments to achieve the right mix of safety and growth.

This is where smart investment strategies come into play, helping you achieve your plans despite the erratic nature of the markets, consistency is the key; hence, SIPs should be treated as commitments, and focus should be given to long-term objectives like retirement and financial freedom and with discipline, smart investment strategies, and patience, the power of compounding will multiply your early investments, resulting in safety and growth, Gupta further said.

Common investment mistakes women should avoid

While more women are entering the investment ecosystem, experts say certain common mistakes can hinder long-term wealth creation.

Gupta said that the first challenge is waiting for the ‘right time’ to start investing and delaying the decision, which ultimately reduces the power of compounding. Secondly, many investors have the tendency to either overdiversify or overconcentrate in a single asset, often losing control of their own financial decisions. Third, ignoring insurance, inadequate health and life cover can derail an otherwise solid investment plan.

She further said that fourth, investing without a goal; money without direction tends to get withdrawn at the first sign of trouble. Finally, neglecting periodic portfolio review and rebalancing can quietly increase risk and move your investment away from your desired goals. Staying invested is important, but staying aware is equally critical.

Fernandes said one should avoid focusing only on returns, as that invariably comes at high risk. Balancing risk and return in investing is the key.

One should always consider their risk appetite, investment horizon and goals before making any investment decision.

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)

If you have any mutual fund queries, message on ET Mutual Funds on Facebook/Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. Do share your questions on ETMFqueries@timesinternet.in alongwith your age, risk profile, and twitter handle