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Rethinking ‘Mutual Funds Sahi Hai’: Understanding the underperformance in equity funds

20 February 20246 mins read by Angel One
Around 41% of the funds have underperformed, indicating higher risk. This raises questions about the popular belief that 'mutual funds sahi hai!
Rethinking ‘Mutual Funds Sahi Hai’: Understanding the underperformance in equity funds
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In mutual funds, investors often rely on historical performance to guide their decisions. However, a recent analysis of 146 equity mutual fund schemes has shed light on a concerning trend: around 60 schemes have failed to beat their respective benchmarks over three, five, seven, and 10-year periods.

Approximately 41% of the funds have underperformed, indicating higher risk. This raises questions about the popular belief that ‘mutual funds sahi hai!’

Understanding the Underperformance

The underperforming schemes hail from various categories, including midcap, ELSS, large & mid cap, largecap, flexicap, focused fund, value fund, and small cap. While some funds struggled across all horizons, others stumbled in specific periods. For instance, 13 midcap schemes failed to beat their benchmarks consistently.

Analysing the Analysis

The study focused on schemes that underperformed in all four horizons, omitting those that lagged in only one, two, or three periods. Multi-cap schemes were excluded due to the unavailability of benchmark data.

ELSS Funds

ELSS funds are tax-saving mutual funds that invest primarily in equities. They offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, making them popular among investors seeking tax savings with the potential for long-term capital appreciation.

Scheme 3 Years 5 Years 7 Years 10 Years
NIFTY 500 – TRI 19.47% 18.32% 16.13% 16.79%
S&P BSE 500 – TRI 19.51% 18.47% 16.29% 16.89%
Aditya Birla SL ELSS Tax Saver Fund 9.76% 10.55% 11.15% 15.02%
Axis ELSS Tax Saver Fund 9.77% 13.95% 13.52% 16.71%
Baroda BNP Paribas ELSS Tax Saver Fund 15.53% 16.93% 14.35% 16.13%
Edelweiss ELSS Tax saver Fund 16.72% 15.87% 13.26% 14.93%
HSBC ELSS Tax saver Fund 17.76% 15.58% 13.30% 15.97%
HSBC Tax Saver Equity Fund 17.72% 16.76% 13.41% 16.00%
ICICI Pru ELSS Tax Saver Fund 17.87% 17.00% 14.25% 16.42%
LIC MF ELSS Tax Saver 14.86% 14.19% 12.91% 14.66%
Quantum ELSS Tax Saver Fund 17.50% 14.69% 12.18% 14.81%
Sundaram Diversified Equity 16.85% 14.72% 11.75% 15.06%
Taurus ELSS Tax Saver Fund 19.39% 16.37% 15.41% 16.00%
UTI ELSS Tax Saver Fund 14.89% 16.39% 13.60% 15.09%

Flexicap Fund

Flexicap funds, also known as multi-cap funds, have the flexibility to invest across market capitalizations without any predefined allocation. They can switch between large, mid, and small-cap stocks based on market conditions and fund manager’s discretion, offering diversification across market segments.

Scheme 3 Years 5 Years 7 Years 10 Years
NIFTY 500 – TRI 19.47% 18.32% 16.13% 16.79%
S&P BSE 500 – TRI 19.51% 18.47% 16.29% 16.89%
Bandhan Flexi Cap Fund 16.19% 14.59% 12.30% 15.50%
Canara Rob Flexi Cap Fund 15.66% 17.11% 15.99% 16.02%
HSBC Flexi Cap Fund 18.47% 17.14% 13.57% 16.15%
LIC MF Flexi Cap Fund 14.41% 13.51% 10.69% 12.07%
Taurus Flexi Cap Fund 17.93% 13.37% 11.23% 12.77%
UTI Flexi Cap Fund 9.37% 14.85% 13.94% 15.19%

Focused Funds

Focused funds concentrate their investments in a limited number of stocks, typically between 20 to 30, as opposed to diversified funds that hold a larger number of stocks. This focused approach allows fund managers to capitalize on their best ideas, potentially offering higher returns but also carrying higher risk.

Scheme Name 3 Years 5 Years 7 Years 10 Years
NIFTY 500 – TRI 19.47% 18.32% 16.13% 16.79%
S&P BSE 500 – TRI 19.51% 18.47% 16.29% 16.89%
Aditya Birla SL Focused Fund 15.33% 16.21% 13.31% 15.65%
Axis Focused 25 Fund 6.80% 12.52% 12.82% 14.73%
Bandhan Focused Equity Fund 14.47% 14.73% 13.72% 13.39%
DSP Focus Fund 14.47% 15.72% 12.25% 15.51%
Motilal Oswal Focused Fund 10.92% 14.77% 12.35% 14.82%
Sundaram Focused Fund 16.13% 17.70% 14.88% 15.95%

Large & Midcap Funds

These funds invest in a mix of large-cap and mid-cap stocks, offering a balance between stability and growth potential. They aim to provide investors with exposure to both established companies (large-cap) and faster-growing companies (mid-cap) in a single investment.

Scheme Name 3 Years 5 Years 7 Years 10 Years
NIFTY LargeMidcap 250 – TRI 23.03% 20.71% 17.71% 19.38%
Aditya Birla SL Equity Advantage Fund 13.89% 15.26% 11.69% 16.52%
DSP Equity Opportunities Fund 20.26% 19.37% 15.31% 18.19%
Edelweiss Large & Mid Cap Fund 20.51% 19.30% 16.94% 17.39%
Franklin India Equity Advantage Fund 17.06% 15.09% 12.68% 15.45%
Invesco India Large & Mid Cap Fund 18.98% 17.72% 16.32% 17.21%
Kotak Equity Opp Fund 20.93% 19.70% 16.05% 18.48%
Nippon India Vision Fund 21.46% 18.89% 13.83% 16.34%
SBI Large & Midcap Fund 22.40% 19.50% 16.69% 18.44%
Sundaram Large and Mid Cap Fund 18.90% 16.81% 15.32% 17.59%
Tata Large & Mid Cap Fund 19.54% 19.06% 15.10% 17.12%

Large-cap Funds

Large-cap funds invest predominantly in stocks of large, well-established companies with a track record of stable performance. They are considered relatively less risky compared to midcap and small-cap funds, making them suitable for conservative investors seeking stable returns.

Scheme Name 3 Years 5 Years 7 Years 10 Years
NIFTY 100 – TRI 15.97% 16.23% 15.11% 15.41%
S&P BSE 100 – TRI 16.81% 16.80% 15.55% 15.60%
Axis Bluechip Fund 9.75% 13.76% 14.62% 14.59%
Bandhan Large Cap Fund 15.16% 15.54% 14.04% 13.60%
DSP Top 100 Equity Fund 13.93% 14.48% 11.47% 13.20%
Franklin India Bluechip Fund 13.35% 14.12% 11.85% 13.70%
Groww Largecap Fund 14.21% 13.24% 12.22% 13.28%
HSBC Large Cap Fund 13.78% 15.75% 13.49% 14.42%
LIC MF Large Cap Fund 11.66% 13.73% 12.01% 13.03%
PGIM India Large Cap Fund 11.92% 13.18% 11.87% 13.68%
Taurus Large Cap Fund 15.38% 13.78% 11.10% 12.71%
UTI Large Cap Fund 13.78% 15.15% 13.67% 14.78%

Mid-cap Funds

Midcap funds invest in stocks of mid-sized companies with the potential for high growth. They are considered riskier than large-cap funds but offer the potential for higher returns over the long term, making them suitable for investors with a higher risk appetite.

Scheme Name 3 Years 5 Years 7 Years 10 Years
Nifty Midcap 100 – TRI 31.06% 24.43% 18.27% 21.66%
Nifty Midcap 150 – TRI 30.18% 25.13% 20.12% 23.19%
S&P BSE 150 MidCap – TRI 29.63% 25.30% 19.84% 22.89%
Aditya Birla SL Midcap Fund 25.06% 18.85% 13.89% 18.88%
Axis Midcap Fund 19.06% 20.38% 18.69% 20.73%
Baroda BNP Paribas Mid Cap Fund 25.70% 22.77% 16.82% 20.56%
DSP Midcap Fund 17.21% 18.56% 14.21% 19.90%
Franklin India Prima Fund 21.47% 18.64% 14.96% 20.15%
HSBC Midcap Fund 23.68% 18.96% 15.63% 21.53%
ICICI Pru Midcap Fund 25.90% 21.30% 16.67% 20.95%
Invesco India Midcap Fund 24.30% 22.18% 18.38% 21.80%
SBI Magnum Midcap Fund 26.15% 22.96% 15.73% 20.31%
Sundaram Mid Cap Fund 25.09% 19.39% 14.02% 20.25%
Tata Mid Cap Growth Fund 25.51% 22.96% 17.93% 21.97%
Taurus Mid Cap Fund 26.74% 22.57% 18.31% 21.45%
UTI Mid Cap Fund 22.53% 21.38% 15.84% 20.74%

Small-cap Funds

Small-cap funds invest in stocks of small-sized companies with high growth potential. They are considered the riskiest among equity funds due to the volatility associated with small-cap stocks but offer the potential for significant capital appreciation for investors with a high-risk tolerance.

Scheme Name 3 Years 5 Years 7 Years 10 Years
S&P BSE 250 Small Cap – TRI 33.41% 25.01% 17.60% 20.06%
Aditya Birla SL Small Cap Fund 25.31% 18.29% 12.99% 18.94%

Value Funds

Value funds follow a value investing strategy, aiming to invest in stocks that are trading at a lower price relative to their intrinsic value. These funds look for undervalued stocks with the potential for price appreciation over time, making them suitable for long-term investors looking for bargains in the market.

Scheme Name 3 Years 5 Years 7 Years 10 Years
NIFTY 500 – TRI 19.47% 18.32% 16.13% 16.79%
S&P BSE 500 – TRI 19.51% 18.47% 16.29% 16.89%
Quantum Long Term Equity Value Fund 17.39% 14.57% 12.08% 14.74%
UTI Value Fund 17.81% 18.31% 15.17% 15.03%

It’s crucial for investors not to base their decisions solely on past performance. Factors like risk appetite, investment horizon, and financial goals should always be considered. Past performance does not guarantee future success.

Conclusion

While the analysis serves as a wake-up call for investors, it’s essential to approach fund selection with a holistic view. Rather than relying solely on past returns, investors should consider a fund’s strategy, management team, and risk profile.

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Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet and is subject to changes. Please consult an expert before making related decisions.

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