Table of Contents
Mutual Funds Vs Stocks
Mutual Funds or stock markets directly – where to invest, is one of the oldest debates when it comes to personal Wealth Management. Mutual funds allow you to invest a certain amount in a fund where the fund managers use their expertise to invest a client’s money in a variety of stocks to achieve the highest rate of return. Investing in stock markets gives you greater control over the investment on shares is made by the user. However, it makes them more prone to risks as they have to directly deal with the markets.
Difference: Mutual Funds Vs Stocks/Shares
1. Understanding Mutual Funds and Stocks
When compared on a risk Factor, stocks happen to be far riskier than mutual funds. The risk in mutual funds is spread across and hence reduced with the pooling in of diverse stocks. With stock,s one has to extensive research before investing, especially if you are a novice investor. Visit fincash for more details on the various areas of investments. In the case of mutual funds, the research is done, and the fund is managed by a mutual fund manager.
This service though is not free and comes with an annual Management Fee that is charged by the fund house under Total Expense Ration (TER).
2. When investing as a beginner
If you are a new investor with little or no experience in the financial markets, it is advisable to start with mutual funds as not only the risk is comparatively lesser but also because the decisions are made by an expert. These professionals have the insight to analyze and interpret financial data to gauge the outlook of a prospective investment.
3. Associated Costs
Though you have to pay a fee to mutual fund managers unlike in the case of stocks that you buy individually, the Economies of Scale also come into play. It is true that active management of funds is an affair that does not come free of cost. But the truth is that due to their large size, mutual funds pay only a small fraction of the brokerage charges that an individual shareholder pays for brokerage. Individual investors also have to pay the charges for DEMAT which is not needed in the case of mutual funds.
4. Risk and Return
It is already established that mutual funds have the advantage of reducing the risk by diversifying a Portfolio.
Stocks on the other hand are vulnerable to the Market conditions and the performance of one stock can’t compensate for the other.
5. Short Term Capital Gain
Remember when investing in stocks, you will be liable to pay 15 percent tax on your short term Capital gains (STCG) if you sell your stocks within a span of one year. On the other hand, there is no tax on capital gains on the stocks that are sold by the fund. This can mean substantial benefits for you. The tax saved is also available for you to invest it further thus making way for further Income generation through investment. But you will have to hold on to your equity for more than a year in order to avoid paying that short-term capital gains tax.
6. Long Term Capital Gain
Long Term Capital Gain (LTCG) is taxed at 10% for gains exceeding 1 Lakh gain (As announced in Budget of 2018). which means one has to pay tax on gains incurred in period over an year (Long term) if amount exceeds 1 Lakhs in a year at a Flat rate of 10%.
7. Control on your investment
In the case of mutual funds, the decision pertaining to the choice of stocks and their trading is solely in the hands of the funds manager. You do not have control over which stock is to be picked and for what duration. As an investor, if you invest in Mutual Funds you do not have the option to exit from some stocks that are in your portfolio. The decisions pertaining to the fate of the stocks rest in the hands of the fund manager. This way, an individual investing in stocks has more control over their investment than an investor who invests in mutual funds.
8. Diversification
A well-diversified portfolio should include at least 25 to 30 stocks but that would be a huge ask for a small investor. With mutual funds, investors with small funds can also get a diversified portfolio. Buying units of a fund allows you to invest in multiple stocks without having to invest a huge corpus.
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9. Time and Research
When you invest directly, you will need to invest a lot more time and research into your stock while in the case of mutual funds you can be passive. The fund manager is the one who invests his time to manage your portfolio.
10. Investment Tracking
With an investment in mutual funds, you have the benefit of a fund manager who has extensive expertise and experience in the field. Whether it is picking the stocks or monitoring them and making allocations, you do not have to worry about any of it. This service is not available in the case of stock investments. You are responsible for picking and tracking your investment.
11. Investment Horizon
When investing in mutual funds, remember that you will have to give the funds at least 8-10 years to generate good returns as these have a longer-term growth trajectory. In the case of stocks, you can get quick and good returns if you choose the right stocks and sell them at the right time.
Despite all of this if the stock market and its intricacies are something that an individual is familiar with, they can invest directly. They must be ready to play a long term game where a stock doesn’t provide immediate returns and must also have an increased appetite for risk. Unlike investors in mutual funds, they do not have the expertise on Smart investment which fund managers can provide. Even in the best of times, investment in stocks is a risk. In comparatively tougher times, it is better to invest in mutual funds due to the advantage of portfolio diversification, professional management and constant monitoring.
The choice between mutual funds or stocks generally boils down to personal factors like trust and an individual’s ability to take risks. It is a decision to be taken with the utmost of thought with all the options carefully weighed down. However what is important for an individual is the decision to plunge into personal wealth management and attempt to make their savings useful through either mutual funds or stocks, rather than simply sitting on it.
Top Equity MF investments FY 25 - 26
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2023 (%) Nippon India Small Cap Fund Growth ₹162.792
↑ 2.38 ₹61,646 -10.2 -7.3 15.3 20.9 31.9 26.1 Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund Growth ₹101.483
↑ 1.12 ₹22,898 -7.1 4.1 35.3 28.7 30 57.1 ICICI Prudential Technology Fund Growth ₹212.66
↓ -3.65 ₹13,990 -0.6 9.2 21.2 7 28.5 25.4 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 14 Jan 25
*Below is the list of best mutual funds based on 5 year CAGR/Annualized and AUM > 100 Crore.
The primary investment objective of the scheme is to generate long term capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity related instruments of small cap companies and the secondary objective is to generate consistent returns by investing in debt and money market securities. Nippon India Small Cap Fund is a Equity - Small Cap fund was launched on 16 Sep 10. It is a fund with Moderately High risk and has given a Below is the key information for Nippon India Small Cap Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Motilal Oswal MOSt Focused Midcap 30 Fund) The investment objective of the Scheme is to achieve long term capital appreciation by investing in a maximum of 30 quality mid-cap companies having long-term competitive advantages and potential for growth. However, there can be no assurance or guarantee that the investment objective of the Scheme would be achieved. Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund is a Equity - Mid Cap fund was launched on 24 Feb 14. It is a fund with Moderately High risk and has given a Below is the key information for Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund Returns up to 1 year are on To generate long-term capital appreciation for you from a portfolio made up predominantly of equity and equity-related securities of technology intensive companies. ICICI Prudential Technology Fund is a Equity - Sectoral fund was launched on 3 Mar 00. It is a fund with High risk and has given a Below is the key information for ICICI Prudential Technology Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. Nippon India Small Cap Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 21.5% since its launch. Ranked 6 in Small Cap category. Return for 2024 was 26.1% , 2023 was 48.9% and 2022 was 6.5% . Nippon India Small Cap Fund
Growth Launch Date 16 Sep 10 NAV (14 Jan 25) ₹162.792 ↑ 2.38 (1.48 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹61,646 on 30 Nov 24 Category Equity - Small Cap AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 1.55 Sharpe Ratio 1.72 Information Ratio 0.79 Alpha Ratio 5.3 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Dec 19 ₹10,000 31 Dec 20 ₹12,924 31 Dec 21 ₹22,531 31 Dec 22 ₹24,005 31 Dec 23 ₹35,748 31 Dec 24 ₹45,068 Returns for Nippon India Small Cap Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 14 Jan 25 Duration Returns 1 Month -10.1% 3 Month -10.2% 6 Month -7.3% 1 Year 15.3% 3 Year 20.9% 5 Year 31.9% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 21.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2023 26.1% 2022 48.9% 2021 6.5% 2020 74.3% 2019 29.2% 2018 -2.5% 2017 -16.7% 2016 63% 2015 5.6% 2014 15.1% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Small Cap Fund
Name Since Tenure Samir Rachh 2 Jan 17 8 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 6.61 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Small Cap Fund as on 30 Nov 24
Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Industrials 26.18% Financial Services 13.18% Basic Materials 12.06% Consumer Cyclical 11.88% Technology 9.71% Consumer Defensive 8.09% Health Care 7.17% Communication Services 1.9% Utility 1.79% Energy 1.7% Real Estate 0.59% Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 4.95% Equity 95.05% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity HDFC Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 22 | HDFCBANK2% ₹1,194 Cr 6,650,000 Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 21 | MCX2% ₹1,145 Cr 1,851,010 Kirloskar Brothers Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 12 | KIRLOSBROS2% ₹1,020 Cr 4,472,130 Apar Industries Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 17 | APARINDS1% ₹908 Cr 899,271 Tube Investments of India Ltd Ordinary Shares (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 18 | TIINDIA1% ₹897 Cr 2,499,222 Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 18 | DIXON1% ₹810 Cr 512,355 ELANTAS Beck India Ltd (Basic Materials)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 13 | 5001231% ₹794 Cr 614,625 State Bank of India (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 19 | SBIN1% ₹763 Cr 9,100,000 Tejas Networks Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 17 | TEJASNET1% ₹761 Cr 5,763,697 Karur Vysya Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 17 | KARURVYSYA1% ₹752 Cr 31,784,062 2. Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 23.7% since its launch. Ranked 27 in Mid Cap category. Return for 2024 was 57.1% , 2023 was 41.7% and 2022 was 10.7% . Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund
Growth Launch Date 24 Feb 14 NAV (14 Jan 25) ₹101.483 ↑ 1.12 (1.12 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹22,898 on 30 Nov 24 Category Equity - Mid Cap AMC Motilal Oswal Asset Management Co. Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.66 Sharpe Ratio 2.78 Information Ratio 1.28 Alpha Ratio 24.05 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Dec 19 ₹10,000 31 Dec 20 ₹10,932 31 Dec 21 ₹17,035 31 Dec 22 ₹18,859 31 Dec 23 ₹26,719 31 Dec 24 ₹41,984 Returns for Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 14 Jan 25 Duration Returns 1 Month -10.9% 3 Month -7.1% 6 Month 4.1% 1 Year 35.3% 3 Year 28.7% 5 Year 30% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 23.7% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2023 57.1% 2022 41.7% 2021 10.7% 2020 55.8% 2019 9.3% 2018 9.7% 2017 -12.7% 2016 30.8% 2015 5.2% 2014 16.5% Fund Manager information for Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund
Name Since Tenure Ajay Khandelwal 1 Oct 24 0.25 Yr. Niket Shah 1 Jul 20 4.51 Yr. Santosh Singh 1 Oct 24 0.25 Yr. Rakesh Shetty 22 Nov 22 2.11 Yr. Sunil Sawant 1 Jul 24 0.5 Yr. Data below for Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund as on 30 Nov 24
Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Consumer Cyclical 37.33% Technology 24.3% Industrials 20.33% Financial Services 6.71% Health Care 3.21% Basic Materials 3.07% Communication Services 2.24% Real Estate 2.2% Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 0.61% Equity 99.39% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Polycab India Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 23 | POLYCAB10% ₹2,281 Cr 3,125,018
↑ 250,018 Coforge Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 23 | COFORGE10% ₹2,258 Cr 2,600,000 Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 29 Feb 24 | KALYANKJIL10% ₹2,210 Cr 30,500,000
↑ 1,516,281 Zomato Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 23 | 5433209% ₹2,168 Cr 77,500,000
↑ 45,000,000 Persistent Systems Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Jan 23 | PERSISTENT8% ₹1,772 Cr 3,000,000 Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 24 | M&M6% ₹1,409 Cr 4,750,000
↑ 944,245 Jio Financial Services Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 23 | JIOFIN6% ₹1,395 Cr 42,500,000
↓ -7,500,000 Trent Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 24 | TRENT5% ₹1,189 Cr 1,749,600
↑ 1,749,600 Bajaj Auto Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 24 | BAJAJ-AUTO4% ₹1,016 Cr 1,125,000
↓ -242,958 Voltas Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 17 | VOLTAS4% ₹829 Cr 4,999,745
↓ -255 3. ICICI Prudential Technology Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 13.1% since its launch. Ranked 37 in Sectoral category. Return for 2024 was 25.4% , 2023 was 27.5% and 2022 was -23.2% . ICICI Prudential Technology Fund
Growth Launch Date 3 Mar 00 NAV (13 Jan 25) ₹212.66 ↓ -3.65 (-1.69 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹13,990 on 30 Nov 24 Category Equity - Sectoral AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆ Risk High Expense Ratio 1.96 Sharpe Ratio 1.34 Information Ratio -0.23 Alpha Ratio 1.05 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 31 Dec 19 ₹10,000 31 Dec 20 ₹17,059 31 Dec 21 ₹29,979 31 Dec 22 ₹23,017 31 Dec 23 ₹29,336 31 Dec 24 ₹36,791 Returns for ICICI Prudential Technology Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 14 Jan 25 Duration Returns 1 Month -5.8% 3 Month -0.6% 6 Month 9.2% 1 Year 21.2% 3 Year 7% 5 Year 28.5% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 13.1% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2023 25.4% 2022 27.5% 2021 -23.2% 2020 75.7% 2019 70.6% 2018 2.3% 2017 19.1% 2016 19.8% 2015 -4% 2014 3.9% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Technology Fund
Name Since Tenure Vaibhav Dusad 2 May 20 4.67 Yr. Sharmila D’mello 30 Jun 22 2.51 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Technology Fund as on 30 Nov 24
Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Technology 70.32% Communication Services 16.96% Consumer Cyclical 5.26% Industrials 2.8% Consumer Defensive 0.21% Financial Services 0.21% Health Care 0% Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 2.83% Equity 97.17% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Infosys Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 08 | INFY22% ₹3,115 Cr 16,768,086
↓ -292,830 Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 19 | TCS12% ₹1,702 Cr 3,984,724 Bharti Airtel Ltd (Communication Services)
Equity, Since 31 May 20 | BHARTIARTL8% ₹1,163 Cr 7,148,806 LTIMindtree Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 16 | LTIM6% ₹808 Cr 1,308,793
↑ 25,609 HCL Technologies Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 20 | HCLTECH5% ₹674 Cr 3,649,450
↓ -500,000 Tech Mahindra Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 16 | TECHM5% ₹648 Cr 3,785,218
↓ -180,000 Bharti Airtel Ltd (Partly Paid Rs.1.25) (Communication Services)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 21 | 8901574% ₹565 Cr 4,645,340 Zomato Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 22 | 5433203% ₹435 Cr 15,558,409
↓ -900,000 Wipro Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 19 | WIPRO3% ₹425 Cr 7,361,359
↑ 436,977 Persistent Systems Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 May 20 | PERSISTENT2% ₹325 Cr 550,394
↓ -26,824
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