n our earlier piece, Tired of your savings account? Try this, we explained how a cash fund is a viable alternative to a savings account.

Here we list out a few funds you can consider putting your money into.

Broadly, there are two parameters you must consider while making your selection.

The first is return.

The average return of funds in this category is 0.42% (one month return), 1.24% (three month return) and 4.66% (one year return).

The second is the expense ratio.

This figure covers all administration and fund management expenses. This is an important indicator since it can take away a significant chunk of the returns.

The average expense ratio of funds in the category is 0.62%. You can use this figure as a benchmark when looking at a fund's expense ratio.

Birla Cash Plus Retail

One of the most experienced funds in the category, it has made a remarkable improvement in the expense ratio -- from a high of 1.54% in March 1999, it has dipped to 0.59% in September 2004.

Launch: June 1997
Minimum investment: Rs 10,000
NAV: 18.0076

Expense ratio: 0.50%

Returns
1 month: 0.43%
3 months: 1.27%
1 year: 4.73%

Canliquid Retail

The fund has been one of the least expensive funds in the category and has never disappointed its investors. Since its launch, the fund has under performed the category in just one quarter, that too during its early life.

Launch: January 2002
Minimum investment: Rs 25,000
NAV: 12.1534

Expense ratio: 0.28%

Returns
1 month: 0.46%
3 months: 1.33%
1 year: 4.94%

Chola Liquid

This fund is a middle of the road performer. It offers an average return with a lower-than-average expense ratio. The fund's debut was marked by a huge return on its portfolio -- it posted a whopping 10.09% return for the year ended October 13, 2001.

Launch: September 2000
Minimum investment: Rs 1,000
NAV: 13.5121

Expense ratio: 0.30%

Returns
1 month: 0.46%
3 months: 1.33%
1 year: 4.90%

Deutsche Insta Cash Plus

This fund had an auspicious start in January 2003, a good year for the debt market. It grabbed the opportunity by managing its portfolio aggressively; investors were rewarded for sticking with this newcomer. The fund has never under performed the category.

Launch: January 2003
Minimum investment: Rs 1,00,000
NAV: 11.2283

Expense ratio: 0.65%

Returns
1 month: 0.45%
3 months: 1.32%
1 year: 4.89%

HDFC [Get Quote] Cash Mgmt Saving

This fund can be an ideal choice for short-term investors. Low expenses, above average returns and a safe portfolio are some of its hallmarks.

Launch: November 1999
Minimum investment: Rs 10,000
NAV: 13.9147

Expense ratio: 0.32%

Returns
1 month: 0.45%
3 months: 1.33%
1 year: 4.95%

HSBC Cash

This fund has displayed a consistent performance since launch without compromising on safety. The cash expense ratio is marginally above the category average.

Launch: December 2002
Minimum investment: Rs 1,00,000
NAV: 11.2963

Expense ratio: 0.69%

Returns
1 month: 0.43%
3 months: 1.27%
1 year: 4.79%

ING Vysya Liquid

Though launched in December 1999, it was only after 2001 that the fund began to show a remarkable performance. Early 2002 also marked a change in the fund manager, since then the fund has consistently been able to generate above average returns in the category.

Launch: December 1999
Minimum investment: Rs 2,000
NAV: 14.2226

Expense ratio: 0.70%

Returns
1 month: 0.44%
3 months: 1.30%
1 year: 4.81%

LICMF Liquid

One of the best funds in the category, it has managed to perform exceptionally well. The fund is quite unique in its investment philosophy in a category where the funds look more or less similar.

Launch: March 2002
Minimum investment: Rs 25,000
NAV: 12.0537

Expense ratio: 0.50%

Returns
1 month: 0.46%
3 months: 1.33%
1 year: 5.06%

Prudential ICICI [Get Quote] Liquid

This cash fund has the largest assets (money and investments) under management to its credit but is struggling to maintain its returns above the category average.

Launch: June 1998
Minimum investment: Rs 15,000
NAV: 16.4376

Expense ratio: 0.88%

Returns
1 month: 0.43%
3 months: 1.26%
1 year: 4.75%

Reliance [Get Quote] Liquid Treasury

In a category where expenses mean a lot, Reliance Mutual Fund is running this fund with remarkable economy. This is the most economical member of the category.

Launch: March 1998
Minimum investment: Rs 25,000
NAV: 11.7992

Expense ratio: 0.18%

Returns
1 month: 0.39%
3 months: 1.13%
1 year: 4.40%

Sahara Liquid

After being launched in 2002, the fund moved up the ladder swiftly and posted its highest ever annual return of 7.15% for the year ended February 23, 2003. The fund has managed a stellar performance without taking any extraordinary risk.

Launch: February 2002
Minimum investment: Rs 10,000
NAV: 12.0202

Expense ratio: 0.70%

Returns
1 month: 0.46%
3 months: 1.31%
1 year: 5.03%

Sundaram Money

Since December 2003, when the fund decided to discard its cautious approach and take higher interest rate risk, it has outpaced its peers every quarter. Investors looking for a high-quality consistent player with very reasonable cost would like this offering.

Launch: March 2000
Minimum investment: Rs 10,000
NAV: 14.0713

Expense ratio: 0.48%

Returns
1 month: 0.43%
3 months: 1.29%
1 year: 4.91%

Templeton India TMA

This fund has been a consistent outperformer in the category and has managed to maintain its expense ratio under tight control.

Launch: April 1998
Minimum investment: Rs 1,00,000
NAV: 1671.2924

Expense ratio: 0.74%

Returns
1 month: 0.42%
3 months: 1.28%
1 year: 4.82%

UTI Liquid Cash Regular

Since its launch in June 2003, this fund has shown a remarkably good performance and has always tried to improve on the margin by which it beats the category average.

Launch: June 2003
Minimum investment: Rs 1,00,000
NAV: 1095.3622

Expense ratio: 0.40%

Returns
1 month: 0.46%
3 months: 1.34%
1 year: 4.95%

Net Asset Value (price of a unit of a fund) is as of June 2, 2005.

The NAV is only given for the growth scheme.

For schemes where the NAV is above Rs 1,000, the face value of a unit would not be Rs 10 but Rs 1,000.

The returns are as of June 2, 2005.

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh