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Top 3 Best Contra Funds to Invest in 2025

Updated on December 7, 2025 , 36767 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 (%)2024 (%)
Kotak India EQ Contra Fund Growth ₹153.801
↑ 0.30
₹4,9212.93.11.319.419.922.1
SBI Contra Fund Growth ₹391.586
↓ -4.46
₹49,2183.32.80.618.624.818.8
Invesco India Contra Fund Growth ₹136.89
↓ -0.03
₹20,1731.11.1-1.118.618.730.1
Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 9 Dec 25

Research Highlights & Commentary of 3 Funds showcased

CommentaryKotak India EQ Contra FundSBI Contra FundInvesco India Contra Fund
Point 1Bottom quartile AUM (₹4,921 Cr).Highest AUM (₹49,218 Cr).Lower mid AUM (₹20,173 Cr).
Point 2Oldest track record among peers (20 yrs).Established history (20+ yrs).Established history (18+ yrs).
Point 3Rating: 3★ (lower mid).Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile).Top rated.
Point 4Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.
Point 55Y return: 19.92% (lower mid).5Y return: 24.78% (upper mid).5Y return: 18.70% (bottom quartile).
Point 63Y return: 19.37% (upper mid).3Y return: 18.61% (lower mid).3Y return: 18.56% (bottom quartile).
Point 71Y return: 1.32% (upper mid).1Y return: 0.62% (lower mid).1Y return: -1.12% (bottom quartile).
Point 8Alpha: -1.23 (upper mid).Alpha: -3.76 (bottom quartile).Alpha: -2.23 (lower mid).
Point 9Sharpe: -0.06 (upper mid).Sharpe: -0.21 (bottom quartile).Sharpe: -0.14 (lower mid).
Point 10Information ratio: 1.42 (upper mid).Information ratio: 1.17 (lower mid).Information ratio: 0.89 (bottom quartile).

Kotak India EQ Contra Fund

  • Bottom quartile AUM (₹4,921 Cr).
  • Oldest track record among peers (20 yrs).
  • Rating: 3★ (lower mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 19.92% (lower mid).
  • 3Y return: 19.37% (upper mid).
  • 1Y return: 1.32% (upper mid).
  • Alpha: -1.23 (upper mid).
  • Sharpe: -0.06 (upper mid).
  • Information ratio: 1.42 (upper mid).

SBI Contra Fund

  • Highest AUM (₹49,218 Cr).
  • Established history (20+ yrs).
  • Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 24.78% (upper mid).
  • 3Y return: 18.61% (lower mid).
  • 1Y return: 0.62% (lower mid).
  • Alpha: -3.76 (bottom quartile).
  • Sharpe: -0.21 (bottom quartile).
  • Information ratio: 1.17 (lower mid).

Invesco India Contra Fund

  • Lower mid AUM (₹20,173 Cr).
  • Established history (18+ yrs).
  • Top rated.
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 18.70% (bottom quartile).
  • 3Y return: 18.56% (bottom quartile).
  • 1Y return: -1.12% (bottom quartile).
  • Alpha: -2.23 (lower mid).
  • Sharpe: -0.14 (lower mid).
  • Information ratio: 0.89 (bottom quartile).
*List of funds based on Assets >= 100 Crore & Sorted on 3 year CAGR Returns.

1. 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.

Research Highlights for Kotak India EQ Contra Fund

  • Bottom quartile AUM (₹4,921 Cr).
  • Oldest track record among peers (20 yrs).
  • Rating: 3★ (lower mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 19.92% (lower mid).
  • 3Y return: 19.37% (upper mid).
  • 1Y return: 1.32% (upper mid).
  • Alpha: -1.23 (upper mid).
  • Sharpe: -0.06 (upper mid).
  • Information ratio: 1.42 (upper mid).

Below is the key information for Kotak India EQ Contra Fund

Kotak India EQ Contra Fund
Growth
Launch Date 27 Jul 05
NAV (09 Dec 25) ₹153.801 ↑ 0.30   (0.19 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹4,921 on 31 Oct 25
Category Equity - Contra
AMC Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co Ltd
Rating
Risk Moderately High
Expense Ratio 1.89
Sharpe Ratio -0.07
Information Ratio 1.42
Alpha Ratio -1.23
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
30 Nov 20₹10,000
30 Nov 21₹13,515
30 Nov 22₹15,244
30 Nov 23₹18,615
30 Nov 24₹25,094
30 Nov 25₹26,325

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 9 Dec 25

DurationReturns
1 Month 0.2%
3 Month 2.9%
6 Month 3.1%
1 Year 1.3%
3 Year 19.4%
5 Year 19.9%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 14.4%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2024 22.1%
2023 35%
2022 7.4%
2021 30.2%
2020 15.2%
2019 10%
2018 2.6%
2017 35.4%
2016 7.1%
2015 -3.4%
Fund Manager information for Kotak India EQ Contra Fund
NameSinceTenure
Shibani Kurian9 May 196.48 Yr.

Data below for Kotak India EQ Contra Fund as on 31 Oct 25

Equity Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Financial Services31.99%
Consumer Cyclical12.05%
Industrials10.45%
Technology10.05%
Health Care8.72%
Basic Materials8.62%
Energy4.77%
Consumer Defensive4.72%
Utility3.15%
Communication Services2.99%
Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash2.48%
Equity97.52%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
HDFC Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 10 | HDFCBANK
7%₹338 Cr3,426,864
↑ 294,000
ICICI Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 18 | ICICIBANK
5%₹235 Cr1,748,051
State Bank of India (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 16 | SBIN
4%₹178 Cr1,897,000
Infosys Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 10 | INFY
3%₹157 Cr1,058,800
Reliance Industries Ltd (Energy)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 08 | RELIANCE
3%₹150 Cr1,006,648
Bharti Airtel Ltd (Communication Services)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 17 | BHARTIARTL
3%₹147 Cr717,149
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 14 | MARUTI
3%₹147 Cr90,798
Hero MotoCorp Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 22 | HEROMOTOCO
3%₹147 Cr264,700
Swiggy Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 24 | SWIGGY
3%₹131 Cr3,199,328
Tech Mahindra Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 23 | 532755
3%₹130 Cr912,000

2. SBI Contra Fund

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

Research Highlights for SBI Contra Fund

  • Highest AUM (₹49,218 Cr).
  • Established history (20+ yrs).
  • Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 24.78% (upper mid).
  • 3Y return: 18.61% (lower mid).
  • 1Y return: 0.62% (lower mid).
  • Alpha: -3.76 (bottom quartile).
  • Sharpe: -0.21 (bottom quartile).
  • Information ratio: 1.17 (lower mid).

Below is the key information for SBI Contra Fund

SBI Contra Fund
Growth
Launch Date 6 May 05
NAV (08 Dec 25) ₹391.586 ↓ -4.46   (-1.13 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹49,218 on 31 Oct 25
Category Equity - Contra
AMC SBI Funds Management Private Limited
Rating
Risk Moderately High
Expense Ratio 1.53
Sharpe Ratio -0.21
Information Ratio 1.17
Alpha Ratio -3.76
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
30 Nov 20₹10,000
30 Nov 21₹16,293
30 Nov 22₹19,321
30 Nov 23₹24,326
30 Nov 24₹31,582
30 Nov 25₹32,851

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 ₹556,833.
Net Profit of ₹256,833
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 9 Dec 25

DurationReturns
1 Month 0.6%
3 Month 3.3%
6 Month 2.8%
1 Year 0.6%
3 Year 18.6%
5 Year 24.8%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 14.9%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2024 18.8%
2023 38.2%
2022 12.8%
2021 49.9%
2020 30.6%
2019 -1%
2018 -14.3%
2017 40.2%
2016 2.4%
2015 -0.1%
Fund Manager information for SBI Contra Fund
NameSinceTenure
Dinesh Balachandran7 May 187.49 Yr.
Pradeep Kesavan1 Dec 231.92 Yr.

Data below for SBI Contra Fund as on 31 Oct 25

Equity Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Financial Services21.8%
Basic Materials9.87%
Energy9.41%
Consumer Cyclical7.5%
Health Care7.46%
Technology6.35%
Consumer Defensive5.47%
Utility4.46%
Industrials3.63%
Communication Services2.78%
Real Estate1.33%
Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash16.44%
Equity80.72%
Debt2.83%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
HDFC Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 16 | HDFCBANK
8%₹3,994 Cr40,449,258
Reliance Industries Ltd (Energy)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 23 | RELIANCE
6%₹2,931 Cr19,717,567
Tata Steel Ltd (Basic Materials)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 22 | TATASTEEL
3%₹1,354 Cr74,067,300
↑ 11,392
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 24 | KOTAKBANK
3%₹1,347 Cr6,405,768
ITC Ltd (Consumer Defensive)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 20 | ITC
3%₹1,304 Cr31,014,741
Punjab National Bank (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 22 | 532461
3%₹1,235 Cr100,456,586
Biocon Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 21 | BIOCON
2%₹1,072 Cr28,807,465
GAIL (India) Ltd (Utilities)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 21 | 532155
2%₹950 Cr51,993,788
Dabur India Ltd (Consumer Defensive)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 23 | 500096
2%₹919 Cr18,846,663
Torrent Power Ltd (Utilities)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 21 | 532779
2%₹853 Cr6,482,410

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.

Research Highlights for Invesco India Contra Fund

  • Lower mid AUM (₹20,173 Cr).
  • Established history (18+ yrs).
  • Top rated.
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 18.70% (bottom quartile).
  • 3Y return: 18.56% (bottom quartile).
  • 1Y return: -1.12% (bottom quartile).
  • Alpha: -2.23 (lower mid).
  • Sharpe: -0.14 (lower mid).
  • Information ratio: 0.89 (bottom quartile).

Below is the key information for Invesco India Contra Fund

Invesco India Contra Fund
Growth
Launch Date 11 Apr 07
NAV (09 Dec 25) ₹136.89 ↓ -0.03   (-0.02 %)
Net Assets (Cr) ₹20,173 on 31 Oct 25
Category Equity - Contra
AMC Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Ltd
Rating
Risk Moderately High
Expense Ratio 1.65
Sharpe Ratio -0.15
Information Ratio 0.89
Alpha Ratio -2.23
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
30 Nov 20₹10,000
30 Nov 21₹13,553
30 Nov 22₹14,829
30 Nov 23₹17,231
30 Nov 24₹24,176
30 Nov 25₹25,011

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 ₹481,656.
Net Profit of ₹181,656
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 9 Dec 25

DurationReturns
1 Month 0.4%
3 Month 1.1%
6 Month 1.1%
1 Year -1.1%
3 Year 18.6%
5 Year 18.7%
10 Year
15 Year
Since launch 15%
Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
YearReturns
2024 30.1%
2023 28.8%
2022 3.8%
2021 29.6%
2020 21.2%
2019 5.9%
2018 -3.3%
2017 45.6%
2016 6.7%
2015 4%
Fund Manager information for Invesco India Contra Fund
NameSinceTenure
Amit Ganatra1 Dec 231.92 Yr.
Taher Badshah13 Jan 178.81 Yr.

Data below for Invesco India Contra Fund as on 31 Oct 25

Equity Sector Allocation
SectorValue
Financial Services30.99%
Consumer Cyclical16.43%
Health Care12.83%
Industrials11.24%
Technology10.21%
Basic Materials3.96%
Consumer Defensive3.5%
Energy3.02%
Communication Services2.04%
Real Estate1.73%
Asset Allocation
Asset ClassValue
Cash1.24%
Equity98.72%
Debt0.02%
Other0%
Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
NameHoldingValueQuantity
HDFC Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 14 | HDFCBANK
7%₹1,470 Cr14,891,768
ICICI Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 May 17 | ICICIBANK
6%₹1,221 Cr9,076,843
Infosys Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 13 | INFY
5%₹940 Cr6,341,218
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 21 | M&M
4%₹775 Cr2,222,444
Larsen & Toubro Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 20 | LT
4%₹766 Cr1,900,679
↑ 58,783
Axis Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 20 | 532215
3%₹641 Cr5,201,150
Eternal Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 23 | 543320
3%₹568 Cr17,860,293
↓ -4,421,406
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 24 | APOLLOHOSP
3%₹547 Cr711,861
Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 21 | CHOLAFIN
2%₹494 Cr2,912,482
Coforge Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 22 | COFORGE
2%₹444 Cr2,498,445

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!

    Get Started

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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POST A COMMENT

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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