Recent trends reveal that over 15 of the top 30 mutual fund schemes belong to the sectoral and thematic category, driven by record inflows that have positioned this category at the forefront of the industry. While infrastructure funds lead the charge, mid-cap and small-cap funds also maintain a strong presence, showcasing decent returns. Small-cap funds average an AUM of ₹30,575 crore, while mid-cap funds sit at ₹36,938 crore.
Top Schemes from Major Fund Houses
SBI Mutual Fund SBI Contra Fund tops the list with an AUM of ₹39,433 crore, boasting a remarkable one-year return of 45.2%. The SBI Long Term Advantage Fund, another strong performer in the ELSS category, has delivered 41.7% returns with ₹243 crore in AUM. Notably, the SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund, with ₹3,203 crore AUM, has achieved annualized returns of 52.6%.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund This fund house highlights thematic funds, with its largest scheme, the ICICI Pru Pharma Healthcare & Diagnostics Fund, managing ₹4,808 crore and yielding 32.1% annualized returns over five years. The ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund has also excelled, posting 61% returns over the past year, reflecting the impact of tech sector trends.
HDFC Mutual Fund HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund leads with ₹75,296 crore AUM and a five-year annualized return of 29%. Small-cap and infrastructure funds have also demonstrated strong performance, with annualized returns exceeding 25%.
Nippon India Mutual Fund Home to India’s largest small-cap fund, the Nippon India Small Cap Fund boasts an AUM of ₹61,000 crore and a one-year return of 51%. The broad market performance has positively impacted small and mid-cap funds.
Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund The Kotak Infra & Eco Reform Fund stands out with annualized returns of 57.8%. Despite losing some fund managers, the firm has remained resilient in navigating market dynamics.
UTI Mutual Fund The UTI Transportation & Logistics Fund leads with ₹3,843 crore AUM and annualized returns of 57.4%, benefiting from timely market positioning.
Axis Mutual Fund While Axis Mutual Fund’s performance has lagged slightly, its small and mid-cap funds have consistently achieved over 25% annualized returns over five years, adhering to a quality-focused investment philosophy.
Overall, the mutual fund landscape is increasingly dominated by sectoral and thematic funds, with infrastructure taking a prominent role as investors seek robust returns amid evolving market conditions.
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