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Top 3 Best Contra Funds to Invest in 2025- Fincash

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Top 3 Best Contra Funds to Invest in 2025

Updated on January 13, 2025 , 36104 views

Are you the kind of investor who likes taking a little adventure in investments? If yes, then you need to know about contra funds. They are short form of contrarian, where the idea is to invest in shares of companies that are not popular and are not in the favor of the investor at the point in time. In other words, it is defined by its against-the-wind kind of Investing style.

best-contra-funds

So, let’s know more about contra Mutual Funds.

What are Contra Mutual Funds?

Contra funds are a type of equity fund where the fund manager bets against the prevailing Market trends by buying assets that are either depressed or under-performing at that point in time. A contrarian is an investment strategy where the fund manager keeps a strong watch on the market to identify those underperforming stocks which have great potential to grow in the future. It requires a lot of research and analysis to choose a stock in advance that has potential to grow in the future.

The selection of the stock is done with an assumption that the asset will stabilise and come into the real value in the long run after the short-term turbulence. Investors planning to invest in contra funds should know that these funds may not perform in the short-term because of the kind of assets they invest in. Here, the idea is to buy assets at a lower cost than its fundamental value in the long term.

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Best Performing Contra Funds to Invest in FY 25 - 26

FundNAVNet Assets (Cr)3 MO (%)6 MO (%)1 YR (%)3 YR (%)5 YR (%)2023 (%)
SBI Contra Fund Growth ₹363.804
↑ 3.78
₹41,907-8.1-5.412.819.827.918.8
Kotak India EQ Contra Fund Growth ₹139.842
↑ 0.67
₹4,034-9.3-7.313.717.219.922.1
Invesco India Contra Fund Growth ₹127.73
↑ 0.23
₹18,019-9-1.220.316.720.430.1
Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 14 Jan 25
*List of funds based on Assets >= 100 Crore & Sorted on 3 year CAGR Returns.

1. SBI Contra Fund

To provide the investors maximum growth opportunity through equity investments in stocks of growth oriented sectors of the economy.

SBI Contra Fund is a Equity - Contra fund was launched on 6 May 05. It is a fund with Moderately High risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 15.1% since its launch.  Ranked 48 in Contra category.  Return for 2024 was 18.8% , 2023 was 38.2% and 2022 was 12.8% .

Below is the key information for SBI Contra Fund

SBI Contra Fund
Growth
Launch Date 6 May 05
NAV (14 Jan 25) ₹363.804 ↑ 3.78   (1.05 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹41,907 on 30 Nov 24
Category Equity - Contra
AMC SBI Funds Management Private Limited
Rating
Risk Moderately High
Expense Ratio 1.7
Sharpe Ratio 1.6
Information Ratio 1.93
Alpha Ratio 5.21
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.

DateValue
31 Dec 19₹10,000
31 Dec 20₹13,060
31 Dec 21₹19,580
31 Dec 22₹22,078
31 Dec 23₹30,516
31 Dec 24₹36,253

SBI Contra Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹598,181.
Net Profit of ₹298,181
Invest Now

Returns for SBI Contra Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 14 Jan 25

DurationReturns
1 Month -6.4%
3 Month -8.1%
6 Month -5.4%
1 Year 12.8%
3 Year 19.8%
5 Year 27.9%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 15.1%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2023 18.8%
2022 38.2%
2021 12.8%
2020 49.9%
2019 30.6%
2018 -1%
2017 -14.3%
2016 40.2%
2015 2.4%
2014 -0.1%
Fund Manager information for SBI Contra Fund
NameSinceTenure
Dinesh Balachandran7 May 186.66 Yr.
Pradeep Kesavan1 Dec 231.09 Yr.

Data below for SBI Contra Fund as on 30 Nov 24

Equity Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Financial Services20.08%
Technology9.06%
Basic Materials8.51%
Energy7.69%
Health Care7.01%
Industrials6.79%
Consumer Cyclical6.65%
Utility5.22%
Consumer Defensive4.72%
Communication Services4.47%
Real Estate0.52%
Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash18.35%
Equity80.73%
Debt0.92%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
HDFC Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 16 | HDFCBANK
5%₹2,285 Cr12,723,129
Reliance Industries Ltd (Energy)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 23 | RELIANCE
4%₹1,593 Cr12,328,250
↑ 2,850,000
GAIL (India) Ltd (Utilities)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 21 | GAIL
2%₹1,037 Cr51,993,788
↑ 10,820,000
Tech Mahindra Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 22 | TECHM
2%₹991 Cr5,786,409
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 24 | KOTAKBANK
2%₹905 Cr5,128,168
State Bank of India (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 10 | SBIN
2%₹860 Cr10,254,269
Oil & Natural Gas Corp Ltd (Energy)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 22 | ONGC
2%₹818 Cr31,885,412
↑ 7,993,750
ITC Ltd (Consumer Defensive)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 20 | ITC
2%₹799 Cr16,766,741
Tata Steel Ltd (Basic Materials)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 22 | TATASTEEL
2%₹766 Cr52,995,525
Whirlpool of India Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 29 Feb 24 | WHIRLPOOL
2%₹747 Cr4,040,000

2. Kotak India EQ Contra Fund

(Erstwhile Kotak Classic Equity Fund)

To generate capital appreciation from a diversified portfolio of equity and equity related securities. However, there is no assurance that the objective of the scheme will be realized.

Kotak India EQ Contra Fund is a Equity - Contra fund was launched on 27 Jul 05. It is a fund with Moderately High risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 14.5% since its launch.  Ranked 30 in Contra category.  Return for 2024 was 22.1% , 2023 was 35% and 2022 was 7.4% .

Below is the key information for Kotak India EQ Contra Fund

Kotak India EQ Contra Fund
Growth
Launch Date 27 Jul 05
NAV (15 Jan 25) ₹139.842 ↑ 0.67   (0.48 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹4,034 on 30 Nov 24
Category Equity - Contra
AMC Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co Ltd
Rating
Risk Moderately High
Expense Ratio 2.04
Sharpe Ratio 1.93
Information Ratio 2.07
Alpha Ratio 6.44
Min Investment 5,000
Min SIP Investment 1,000
Exit Load 0-1 Years (1%),1 Years and above(NIL)

Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.

DateValue
31 Dec 19₹10,000
31 Dec 20₹11,517
31 Dec 21₹14,992
31 Dec 22₹16,097
31 Dec 23₹21,732
31 Dec 24₹26,536

Kotak India EQ Contra Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹493,520.
Net Profit of ₹193,520
Invest Now

Returns for Kotak India EQ Contra Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 14 Jan 25

DurationReturns
1 Month -8.1%
3 Month -9.3%
6 Month -7.3%
1 Year 13.7%
3 Year 17.2%
5 Year 19.9%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 14.5%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2023 22.1%
2022 35%
2021 7.4%
2020 30.2%
2019 15.2%
2018 10%
2017 2.6%
2016 35.4%
2015 7.1%
2014 -3.4%
Fund Manager information for Kotak India EQ Contra Fund
NameSinceTenure
Shibani Kurian9 May 195.65 Yr.

Data below for Kotak India EQ Contra Fund as on 30 Nov 24

Equity Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Financial Services26.92%
Technology13.52%
Industrials10.44%
Consumer Cyclical8.7%
Consumer Defensive7.17%
Health Care6.36%
Basic Materials6%
Communication Services5.55%
Energy4.64%
Utility4.4%
Real Estate1.17%
Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash3.19%
Equity96.81%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
ICICI Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 18 | ICICIBANK
5%₹213 Cr1,639,051
Infosys Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 10 | INFY
4%₹174 Cr938,800
HDFC Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 10 | HDFCBANK
4%₹155 Cr863,432
State Bank of India (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 16 | SBIN
4%₹152 Cr1,817,000
↑ 268,000
Tech Mahindra Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 23 | TECHM
3%₹129 Cr752,000
Mphasis Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 29 Feb 24 | MPHASIS
3%₹125 Cr419,653
Bharti Airtel Ltd (Communication Services)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 17 | BHARTIARTL
3%₹109 Cr672,149
Reliance Industries Ltd (Energy)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 08 | RELIANCE
2%₹97 Cr751,648
Axis Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 18 | AXISBANK
2%₹94 Cr831,000
↑ 168,000
Hindustan Unilever Ltd (Consumer Defensive)
Equity, Since 31 May 17 | HINDUNILVR
2%₹89 Cr356,238

3. Invesco India Contra Fund

The investment objective of the Scheme is to generate capital appreciation through investment in equity and equity related instruments. The Scheme will seek to generate capital appreciation through means of contrarian investing.

Invesco India Contra Fund is a Equity - Contra fund was launched on 11 Apr 07. It is a fund with Moderately High risk and has given a CAGR/Annualized return of 15.4% since its launch.  Ranked 11 in Contra category.  Return for 2024 was 30.1% , 2023 was 28.8% and 2022 was 3.8% .

Below is the key information for Invesco India Contra Fund

Invesco India Contra Fund
Growth
Launch Date 11 Apr 07
NAV (15 Jan 25) ₹127.73 ↑ 0.23   (0.18 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹18,019 on 30 Nov 24
Category Equity - Contra
AMC Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Ltd
Rating
Risk Moderately High
Expense Ratio 1.7
Sharpe Ratio 2.31
Information Ratio 1.28
Alpha Ratio 11.38
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.

DateValue
31 Dec 19₹10,000
31 Dec 20₹12,118
31 Dec 21₹15,701
31 Dec 22₹16,296
31 Dec 23₹20,993
31 Dec 24₹27,320

Invesco India Contra Fund SIP Returns

   
My Monthly Investment:
Investment Tenure:
Years
Expected Annual Returns:
%
Total investment amount is ₹300,000
expected amount after 5 Years is ₹505,644.
Net Profit of ₹205,644
Invest Now

Returns for Invesco India Contra Fund

Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 14 Jan 25

DurationReturns
1 Month -8%
3 Month -9%
6 Month -1.2%
1 Year 20.3%
3 Year 16.7%
5 Year 20.4%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 15.4%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2023 30.1%
2022 28.8%
2021 3.8%
2020 29.6%
2019 21.2%
2018 5.9%
2017 -3.3%
2016 45.6%
2015 6.7%
2014 4%
Fund Manager information for Invesco India Contra Fund
NameSinceTenure
Amit Ganatra1 Dec 231.09 Yr.
Taher Badshah13 Jan 177.97 Yr.

Data below for Invesco India Contra Fund as on 30 Nov 24

Equity Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Financial Services30.64%
Consumer Cyclical14.73%
Health Care13.64%
Technology10.52%
Industrials9.2%
Basic Materials4.9%
Utility3.76%
Consumer Defensive2.97%
Communication Services2.43%
Energy2.29%
Real Estate1.38%
Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash1.27%
Equity98.73%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
HDFC Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 14 | HDFCBANK
7%₹1,323 Cr7,366,524
ICICI Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 May 17 | ICICIBANK
7%₹1,288 Cr9,908,135
Infosys Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 13 | INFY
6%₹1,141 Cr6,141,812
Axis Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 20 | AXISBANK
3%₹629 Cr5,535,787
NTPC Ltd (Utilities)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 21 | NTPC
3%₹564 Cr15,520,651
Coforge Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 22 | COFORGE
3%₹468 Cr538,619
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 21 | M&M
3%₹467 Cr1,575,803
REC Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Jan 24 | RECLTD
3%₹465 Cr8,727,741
Larsen & Toubro Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 20 | LT
2%₹439 Cr1,178,799
Zomato Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 23 | 543320
2%₹435 Cr15,548,917

Who Should Invest in Contra Funds?

Ideally, investors who want to diversify their Portfolio should look at this fund. Contra funds can be invested for a diversification opportunity. Investors should always remember that these funds may not perform in the short term, therefore, one who can invest for a longer duration, ideally for more than five years, should only invest in this fund.

Furthermore, contra funds are usually riskier than large-cap Equity Funds, so analyse your risk appetite before investing. You must be able to bear high-risk in this fund as sometimes the fund manager’s Call can go completely awry.

Taxation on Contra Funds

As they are a class of equity mutual funds, they are essentially taxed like any other equity fund. Short-term Capital gains (units realised within a year) are taxed at a rate of 15% irrespective of investors’ income tax slab rate. Long-term Capital Gains of up to Rs 1 lakh a year are made tax-free (units realised after one year of holding). Any gains exceeding this are taxed at 15%. There is no benefit of indexation provided.

How to Invest in Contra Funds Online?

  1. Open Free Investment Account for Lifetime at Fincash.com.

  2. Complete your Registration and KYC Process

  3. Upload Documents (PAN, Aadhaar, etc.). And, You are Ready to Invest!

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Disclaimer:
All efforts have been made to ensure the information provided here is accurate. However, no guarantees are made regarding correctness of data. Please verify with scheme information document before making any investment.
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Rupak Choudhurie, posted on 24 Nov 19 7:44 PM

I got fairly clear idea about the investment philosophy of the contra fund also the high risk involved as well as unlikely good returns in short or medium duration

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