Mutual Funds in USA vs India — $100/month in Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX): 30-Year Projection
Quick Guide — Mutual Funds (USA & India)
USA — Key Points
- Common vehicles: Equity funds, Bond funds, Money Market funds, Index funds, Target-date funds.
- Tax-advantaged accounts: 401(k), IRA, Roth IRA.
- Low-cost index funds (Vanguard, Fidelity) recommended for core holdings.
India — Key Points
- Common vehicles: Equity funds, Debt funds, Hybrid funds, ELSS (tax-saving), Index funds/ETFs, Liquid funds.
- Tax benefit: ELSS under Section 80C (3-year lock-in).
- SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans) are widely used for rupee-cost averaging.
This page also includes a specific projection for investing $100/month into Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) over 30 years. Projections use simple constant-return compounding for illustrative purposes.
$100 / month into Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX) — 30-Year Projection
Assumptions: Contributions at end of each month, returns compounded monthly at an assumed constant annual rate, no taxes applied, dividends reinvested, no additional fees beyond fund expense ratio (not deducted here).
| Assumed Annual Return (CAGR) | Total Contributions (30 yrs) | Estimated Value After 30 yrs | Total Gain (Value − Contributions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7% | $36,000 | $91,891 | $55,891 |
| 9% | $36,000 | $127,699 | $91,699 |
| 10% | $36,000 | $147,190 | $111,190 |
| 11% | $36,000 | $170,278 | $134,278 |
How these numbers were calculated: For monthly investments of M = $100, n = 360 months, with an annual nominal rate r, monthly rate i = r/12. Future Value = M * [ ( (1+i)^n − 1 ) / i ]. Values above are rounded to nearest dollar.
Want a data-driven simulation using FCNTX's actual historical annual returns (year-by-year) rather than constant-rate math? I can generate a table and chart using historical NAV/total-return series and show the simulated final value, drawdown statistics, and year-by-year balance.
Calculation Formula (for reference)
Monthly contribution future value formula (ordinary annuity):
FV = M × [ ( (1 + i)^n − 1 ) / i ]
Where: M = monthly contribution ($100), i = monthly interest rate (annual rate ÷ 12), n = total months (30 × 12 = 360).
Final Tips & Disclaimer
- Results are illustrative. Real performance varies with market cycles, manager performance, fees, and taxes.
- Consider dollar-cost averaging (SIP) and keep an emergency fund separate.
- For tax-aware planning, place funds appropriately into tax-advantaged accounts (401k/IRA in USA) when possible.
This is educational content, not financial advice. Consult a certified financial advisor for personalized planning.

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