Growth vs Dividend Reinvestment: Which Option Is Better? | 5paisa (2024)

Content

  • What is the Growth Option?
  • What is a Reinvestment Option?
  • What are Differences Between Growth and Dividend Reinvestment Options

Assumingly, you have started your investment journey with certain financial goals. So, understanding the difference between growth vs dividend reinvestment is quite imperative for you.

Thus, the ones who want capital gain prefer the growth option. Note that it helps you reinvest your profits to maximise your returns. On the other hand, investors who prioritise income streams would prefer the Dividend Reinvestment Option. Notably, this one lets dividends compound with the help of additional units.

So, as a budding investor, understanding the options is critical. Note that it helps you align your investment strategies with individual financial goals and risk tolerance. At the same time, it helps you with tax planning requirements too.

However, choosing between dividend and growth reinvestment options is pretty confusing, especially for investors who have started navigating the world of mutual funds.

Truth be told, the growth option involves reinvesting profits back into a fund. So, it fosters capital appreciation. On the contrary, a dividend reinvestment option reinvests your earnings back into your fund. So, it simply adds more shares to your holdings.

So, comprehending the complexities of these two options is important. Note that it helps you implement the right investing tactics. Welcome to this all-encompassing post that narrates everything about growth options and dividend reinvestment options. Let's find out more details on growth vs dividend reinvestment from the below-offered points:

What is the Growth Option?

Want to learn about growth vs dividend reinvestment? If yes, you must first learn what is the growth option.

First things first, the growth option in mutual funds gives you a great opportunity to maximise your capital appreciation. Here, you can reinvest your profits back into your fund. Note that the dividend reinvestment option distributes earnings as the additional shares.

However, this option helps compound without getting an immediate payout. So, this method is more appropriate for people who prefer long-term wealth creation. It's best for the ones for whom obtaining monthly income distribution is not a priority.

So, reinvesting dividends in the growth option helps you grow the initial capital. Thus, you may get higher returns on your investments in the future. But one thing you should always remember here is that taxes on gains occur after you sell the share.

So, this option is not a great choice for investors who want regular cash payouts from investments. Nonetheless, a net asset value of your mutual fund will increase even when the units is unchanged. Thus, you can get an opportunity to generate more returns with the same units if you select this option.

What is a Reinvestment Option?

Let's understand a reinvestment option before understanding growth vs dividend reinvestment. So, the reinvestment option is the next one that helps investors automatically reinvest dividends or capital gains earned from investments back into their funds. Here, you wouldn't receive the earnings as cash payouts. However, the reinvestment option converts the earnings into additional shares.

So, this particular approach is for investors seeking to compound their wealth. Note that it can help you reinvest the returns and benefit from compounding. Reinventing capital gains and dividends helps investors accelerate their investment portfolio and growth. Here, the best part is that it does not require any additional capital.

What are Differences Between Growth and Dividend Reinvestment Options

So, have you considered the new income tax regulations? Well, dividends received from the mutual fund as of April 1, 2020, are taxable for investors considering their tax slab.

Suppose you reinvest dividends in the mutual fund scheme. In such a circ*mstance, the income tax rules will remain unchanged. Your income tax agency views the dividends as income. So, you can pay taxes on them when you do not even receive the payout in your account.

Considering this, you pay around 30% in taxes on profits that you declare if you are in a 30% tax slab. Thus, that will lower the mutual fund returns. Besides, dividends paid by mutual fund schemes will be subject to 10% of TDS in case the amount exceeds Rs. 5,000.

So, that means the TDS applied to the payout will be reinvested. So, the investment will be of a lesser value in that case.

Notably, the following differences give you an insight into direct growth vs direct dividend reinvestment:

AspectDividend Reinvestment OptionGrowth Option
MeaningReinvests dividends or capital gains as additional sharesReinvests profits back into your fund
How is Income Earned?Reinvests capital profits and dividends automaticallyDoes not pay out capital gains or dividends
What's the Purpose?Increases wealth by reinvesting earningsMaximises the growth of capital over time
Preferences of the InvestorBeneficial for investors who value total profits over anything elseIdeal for investors aiming for long-term growth
Cash Flow and TaxProvides more shares as an alternative to cash payments
Dividends that are reinvested may be subject to taxes
Doesn't distribute income right away
Taxes are deferred until shares are sold
Impact on the Total ReturnsTotal returns are boosted through compoundingGrowth potential gets maximised when the long-term plan is taken into account
Reinvestment OptionsAutomatically converts dividends into additional sharesReinvests all gains without investor intervention

From the table mentioned above, it is clear that:

Dividends are reinvested into the fund to allow for compounding returns in the growth options. No dividends will be distributed so it offers better long-term benefits. Note that investors can reinvest dividends into the same fund. Evidently, dividend reinvestment seems to be a better solution for investors seeking regular income.

Simply put, you won't get a universal investment solution. So, the choice of a mutual fund growth option dividend reinvestment option entirely depends on individual needs. Truth be told, the growth options can benefit long-term investors. Nonetheless, investors who want to receive regular payouts prefer the dividend reinvestment option.

So, you must consider a few parameters to avoid investing in a fund that does not suit your requirements. That's how you can better invest in the mutual fund. Now you know the differences growth vs dividend reinvestment, so it's easier to select one that meets your financial needs.

Growth vs Dividend Reinvestment: Which Option Is Better? | 5paisa (2024)

FAQs

Which is better, growth or dividend reinvestment? ›

Thus, the ones who want capital gain prefer the growth option. Note that it helps you reinvest your profits to maximise your returns. On the other hand, investors who prioritise income streams would prefer the Dividend Reinvestment Option. Notably, this one lets dividends compound with the help of additional units.

Which option is better growth or dividend? ›

The total returns of growth option are usually higher than dividend option over sufficiently long investment horizon due to compounding effect. From an investment perspective, growth and dividend re-investment options are exactly the same. However, taxation of growth and dividend re-investment options are different.

Is it better to invest for dividends or growth? ›

Stocks and mutual funds that distribute dividends are generally on sound financial ground, but not always. Stocks that pay dividends typically provide stability to a portfolio but may not outperform high-quality growth stocks.

Is it better to take dividends or reinvest? ›

Your Money Will Grow Exponentially Thanks To Compounded Growth: Arguably the best advantage of dividend reinvestment is that it allows you to buy more shares of the same stock and build wealth over time. By purchasing more shares of the same stock with passive dividends, your investment grows further as you reinvest.

Why dividends are better than growth? ›

Some of the advantages of dividend stocks are that they tend to outperform growth stocks, offer consistent cash flow at regular intervals, and because stocks that offer dividends typically indicate that a company is financially healthy enough to pay shareholders cash, the investment can be less risky.

Why stop dividend reinvestment? ›

By taking dividends in cash instead of reinvesting them, you can diversify into other assets, rather than adding to a position that you already have. It throws your portfolio out of balance.

Can I switch from dividend to growth option? ›

It is possible to switch from dividend option to growth option or vice-versa. It would entail sale of old units and purchase of new units. This might attract exit loads along with a tax on capital gains. Before you switch from one option to another, check for both of these aspects.

When to stop reinvesting dividends? ›

Here are three common examples of situations in which it makes sense to not reinvest dividends:
  1. Balancing your portfolio. Reinvesting dividends will increase your position in the company paying them. ...
  2. Phasing out risk. In many cases, it's a good idea to make your investments less aggressive over the years. ...
  3. Income.
Dec 15, 2023

How much dividend growth is good? ›

An average dividend growth rate is 8% to 10%. However, this can vary greatly among different stocks and industries.

Is dividend growth more important than dividend yield? ›

Companies that continuously raise their dividends over time are known as "dividend growth companies" because they give investors a steady source of cash. In contrast, high-yield stocks give more significant dividends, but they could be artificially inflated as a result of monetary issues or a drop in stock price.

What is a realistic dividend yield? ›

What Is a Good Dividend Yield? Yields from 2% to 6% are generally considered to be a good dividend yield, but there are plenty of factors to consider when deciding if a stock's yield makes it a good investment.

How do I avoid paying taxes on reinvested dividends? ›

Reinvested dividends may be treated in different ways, however. Qualified dividends get taxed as capital gains, while non-qualified dividends get taxed as ordinary income. You can avoid paying taxes on reinvested dividends in the year you earn them by holding dividend stocks in a tax-deferred retirement plan.

Can you avoid taxes on dividends that are reinvested? ›

Keep in mind: You can't avoid taxes by reinvesting your dividends. Dividends are taxable income whether they're received into your account or invested back into the company.

Why do companies pay dividends instead of reinvesting? ›

Paying dividends sends a clear, powerful message about a company's future prospects and performance, and its willingness and ability to pay steady dividends over time provides a solid demonstration of financial strength.

When should you not reinvest dividends? ›

Not reinvesting dividends (and using them to invest in something else instead) can help improve a portfolio's diversification over time. Even if you don't have an overly large position in a stock, you may not want to purchase more of it if it's already trading at a significant premium.

What are the cons of dividend reinvestment? ›

Cons
  • Shareholders could end up paying higher share prices. Because shares are automatically purchased, investors may end up investing at a time when prices are on the higher end.
  • DRIP plans could throw your portfolio off balance.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kieth Sipes

Last Updated:

Views: 5810

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kieth Sipes

Birthday: 2001-04-14

Address: Suite 492 62479 Champlin Loop, South Catrice, MS 57271

Phone: +9663362133320

Job: District Sales Analyst

Hobby: Digital arts, Dance, Ghost hunting, Worldbuilding, Kayaking, Table tennis, 3D printing

Introduction: My name is Kieth Sipes, I am a zany, rich, courageous, powerful, faithful, jolly, excited person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.