The RBI, in its second bi-monthly policy of 2018-19, has raised the key repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25%. In the past three years, RBI has cut repo rate down by 200 basis points (100 basis points=1%).

The policy was in line with expectations and three key reasons led to increase in rate hike. First is turbulence in emerging markets, then rise in oil prices and finally pick-up in the core inflation last month. These were some of the key reasons for rate hike. Investors should look at short-term products with average maturity of two-three years if they have investment horizon of 18-20 months.

Short-term bond funds invest in debt securities that mature in about a year to three years. They can invest in a mix of short-term instruments like commercial paper and certificates of deposits. In the last one year, short-term debt funds like Franklin India Low Duration Fund, Baroda Pioneer Short Term Bond Fund and Franklin India Short Term Income Plan have given returns in the range of 6.5% to 7.75%

On an average, returns on short-term debt funds were around 5.25% in the past one year, while returns of longer duration funds like income and gild-medium and long-term funds have given average returns of 3.2% and 0.44% respectively. On Wednesday, the 10-year benchmark government securities (G-Sec) closed at 7.92%. Its very unlikely that RBI will stop with just one rate hike. We might see few more in this financial year. So we would suggest investors to stay away from longer duration funds and stay in short-term or money market securities