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When it comes to growing your money, you must choose to invest is a big decision. Should you chase the fast-moving stock market? Stick with the steady returns of debt options? Or go for gold, the classic safe haven? Over the past 11 years, equity, debt, and gold have each had their moment to shine. Sometimes stocks soared, other times gold glittered or debt held strong. But which one actually gave the best returns in the long run? Let us take a closer look at the numbers and understand the patterns to see what this means for making smart choices with your money.
Before we discuss the numbers, you must know an important truth: no single investment wins all the time. Markets change with global events, the economy, and how people feel about risk. A chart comparing seven different portfolios over 11 years shows this clearly. What is the big lesson here? Spreading your money across different types of investments, like stocks, debt, and gold, which is key to long-term growth. Your goals and comfort with risk shape the right mix. But when you know past trends, it will help you invest smarter.
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The equities, like in the Nifty 50 Index, are popular with investors who are looking for strong growth. Over the past 11 years, portfolios packed with equities often led the way, this is especially in good times. In 2023 and 2024 they were on top. This is all because of strong company profits and low interest rates. But in 2025 so far, things have changed. Global issues like trade tensions and expensive stock prices have pulled equity-heavy portfolios down.
Still, the long-term picture is bright. Over 10 years, the Sensex returned an average of 13.55 percent, with highs of 33.81percent and lows of 2.81 percent. Over five years, it averaged 14.63 percent, even hitting a peak of 55.26 percent. That is a solid case for long-term wealth building.
But remember equities are bumpy. They carry the highest risk among the three major asset classes. Equities can power your portfolio’s growth if you are comfortable with ups and downs and have time on your side. So be ready for a wild ride along the way.
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Debt investments through indexes such as the Crisil Composite Bond Index balance and stabilize a portfolio. They are not big gains but safeguarding your money and receiving steady returns. In the last 11 years, portfolios with higher debt (such as 60%) provided an excellent balance between reward and risk. It showed moderate growth with less ups and downs. That is the reason debt appeals to cautious investors, especially those close to retirement.
But debt has not been stress-free. Since 2020, changing interest rates and global uncertainties have made returns more unpredictable. In 2025, with interest rates steadying, debt hasn’t kept up with the high returns of equities during booming periods. Still, debt shines in calm, consistent performance.
For example, long-duration debt funds gave 12% in 2019, and 10-year government bonds earned around 11%. If your goal is steady income and peace of mind rather than market thrills, debt deserves a solid spot in your investment mix.
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Gold, tracked by options like the Nippon India ETF Gold BeES, has truly stood out in recent years. Gold, tracked by options like the Nippon India ETF Gold BeES, has truly stood out in recent years. Known as a safe-haven asset, gold tends to shine when things get shaky. This is mostly during global tensions, inflation spikes, stock market drops and more. The gold prices in 2025 jumped which is all due to central banks buying more and the rising global uncertainty.
The impressive thing about gold is its steady performance. It lost value in only two of the past 11 years, making it a strong and reliable diversifier. Gold does not move in sync with stocks or bonds. This helps balance your portfolio in the situations when markets are rough.
Gold surged in 2025 so far due to conflict in the Middle East and global trade worries. For 10 years, it delivered an average return of 9.85%, with highs of 21.21%. While gold may not grow as fast as equities, its strength lies in protecting wealth when times get tough.
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This year has shaken things up as the equal-weighted portfolio which is spreading money evenly across equity, debt, and gold has taken the lead. It’s delivered strong, double-digit returns in six of the past 11 years, proving the strength of diversification, especially when markets are uncertain.
Equity-heavy portfolios, which ruled in 2023 and 2024, have lost steam due to expensive stock prices and global trade worries. Debt-heavy portfolios stayed steady but could not keep up. Gold with its recent rally gave a strong boost to risk-adjusted returns.
What’s causing this shift? Slower corporate earnings, tariff concerns, and export challenges have weighed on stocks. At the same time, central banks buying gold and rising geopolitical tensions, like those in the Middle East boosted the appeal for gold. Debt markets have remained steady but haven’t stood out.
The big takeaway? No single asset wins every year. But mixing your investments smartly can help you ride out the storms and keep your portfolio growing.
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To see which investment truly performed best, we need to weigh returns against risk. Using data from ACE MF over 11 years, here is what stands out:
Debt (60percent allocation) had the best risk-to-reward ratio - steady returns with low ups and downs. Great for cautious investors.
Equal-weighted portfolios (equity, debt, gold) came next, offering a smart balance of growth and safety. They delivered double-digit returns in 6 of the last 11 years and led in 2025 so far.
Equity-heavy portfolios scored the highest returns in booming years but had the most risk. They're suited for bold investors with long-term goals.
Gold shines as a diversifier. It beat the Sensex in 35% of 5-year and 36% of 10-year rolling periods. Still, over the long run, equities won - delivering 16.1% annual returns over 20 years, while gold gave 12.8 percent.
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Equities give the best long-term returns but can be quite volatile. Debt provides steady, low-risk growth, while gold protects your portfolio during adverse times and typically lags equities over the longer term. The best bet? Diversification.
The equal-weighted portfolio comprising equity, debt, and gold - has performed consistently strongly with both steady performance and lower risk of loss.
Determine your Risk Profile:
Taking risks? 50-70 percent equity.
Cautious? 50-60 percent debt and 5-10 percent gold.
Balanced? Equal allocations in each.
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Multi-asset allocation funds (MAAFs) make it easy to allocate your money into equal amounts of equity, debt, and gold with one investment.
Keep gold small, 5-20%. Gold does not lead to huge gains, it provides stability.
Equity increases in boom times, gold performs well in crisis, and debt is consistent in a calm market.
Equities are the winner over the next 10+ years - but patience is required and allow debt and gold to cushion the lows in equity.
Working on having long-term wealth is a matter of balance. Equities, debt, and gold all have their virtues, but diversification helps to balance risk and steadily increase. And if you need to sell your gold or silver, rely only on the awarded trusted gold silver buyer in Gurgaon for instant cash 24Karat. Need to know trusted gold silver buyer in Delhi for maximum cash? Go to 24Karat for the highest value and safe service. Get your gold appraised today and unlock its real potential!
Historically, equities tend to provide a higher level of return since equities have a higher element of risk.
Diversifying your portfolio spreads the level of risk across assets while balancing returns and lessening losses when the market is down.
Experts generally recommend that 5-20% of the portfolio be allocated to gold for stability and diversification, not as a primary growth asset.
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