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Hybrid Funds: A Detailed Overview

Updated on August 12, 2025 , 19032 views

Hybrid Funds are a type of Mutual Funds that act as a combination of equity and Debt fund. Hybrid Mutual Funds allow an investor to invest in both equity and debt markets in certain proportions. The proportion of Mutual Fund investment in these funds is either pre-determined or may vary over a period of time. Hybrid Funds are one of the Best Investment Plan as they not only allow investors to enjoy Capital growth but also get fixed Income at regular intervals.

Hybrid-funds

Typically, hybrid fund returns are diversified Mutual Funds as a certain proportion of these funds is invested in the impulsive equity markets. However, the risk Factor is much higher in a balanced fund (a type of hybrid funds) than Monthly Income Plan (another type of hybrid funds).

Categories Of Hybrid Funds

On 6th October 2017, Securities of Exchange Board of India (SEBI) introduced six categories of Hybrid Funds. It has also re-categorised equity and debt funds. This is to bring uniformity in similar schemes launched by the different Mutual Funds. This is to aim and ensure that investors can find it easier to compare the products and evaluate the different options available before Investing in a scheme. SEBI intends to make Mutual Fund investment easier for the investors, so that they could invest according to their needs, Financial goals and risk ability.

Conservative Hybrid Fund

This scheme will majorly invested in debt instruments. About 75 to 90 percent of their total assets will be invest in debt instruments and about 10 to 25 percent in equity-related instruments. This scheme is named as conservative because it is for people who are risk-averse. Investors who don't want to take much risk in their investment can prefer investing in this scheme.

Balanced Hybrid Fund

This fund will invest around 40-60 percent of its total assets in both debt and equity instruments. The beneficial factor of a balanced fund is that they provide equity comparable returns with a lower risk factor.

  • Aggressive Hybrid Fund- This fund will invest around 65 to 85 percent of its total assets in equity-related instruments and about 20 to 35 percent of their assets in debt instruments. Mutual Fund Houses can offer either a balanced hybrid or an aggressive hybrid fund, not both.

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Dynamic Asset Allocation or Balanced Advantage Fund

This scheme would dynamically manage their investments in equity and debt instruments. These funds tend to increase the allocation to debt and reduce the weightage to equities when the Market becomes costly. Also, these funds focus on providing stability at a low-risk.

Multi Asset Allocation

This scheme can invest in three asset classes, which means that they can invest in an extra Asset Class apart from equity and debt. The fund should invest at least 10 percent in each of the asset classes. Foreign securities will not be treated as a separate asset class.

Arbitrage Fund

This fund will follow the arbitrage strategy and will invest at least 65 percent of its assets in equity-related instruments. Arbitrage funds are Mutual Funds that leverage the differential price between the cash market and derivative market to generate mutual fund returns. The returns generated by arbitrage funds are dependent on the Volatility of the stock market. Arbitrage mutual funds are hybrid in nature and in times of high or persistent volatility, these funds offer relatively risk-free returns to investors.

Equity Savings

This scheme will invest in equity, arbitrage and debt. Equity savings will invest at least 65 percent of the total assets in stocks and a minimum 10 percent in debt. The scheme would state the minimum hedged and unhedged investments in the scheme information document.

Best Balanced Mutual Funds to Invest in 2025

FundNAVNet Assets (Cr)3 MO (%)6 MO (%)1 YR (%)3 YR (%)5 YR (%)2024 (%)
JM Equity Hybrid Fund Growth ₹117.398
↓ -0.33
₹8620.65.3-5.319.421.127
BOI AXA Mid and Small Cap Equity and Debt Fund Growth ₹37.4
↑ 0.03
₹1,2501.212.2-1.519.224.225.8
ICICI Prudential Equity and Debt Fund Growth ₹390.53
↑ 0.55
₹44,5522105.91924.717.2
ICICI Prudential Multi-Asset Fund Growth ₹752.465
↑ 2.67
₹62,0141.86.99.218.62316.1
UTI Multi Asset Fund Growth ₹73.6148
↑ 0.12
₹5,8901.46.13.818.215.420.7
Edelweiss Multi Asset Allocation Fund Growth ₹62.95
↑ 0.09
₹2,9261.78.94.416.919.720.2
Sundaram Equity Hybrid Fund Growth ₹135.137
↑ 0.78
₹1,9540.510.527.11614.2
UTI Hybrid Equity Fund Growth ₹398.161
↑ 0.55
₹6,4680.26.22.515.919.619.7
SBI Multi Asset Allocation Fund Growth ₹59.0567
↑ 0.02
₹8,9402.98.48.415.81412.8
Nippon India Equity Hybrid Fund Growth ₹103.805
↑ 0.04
₹3,9881.99.14.115.31916.1
Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 14 Aug 25

Research Highlights & Commentary of 10 Funds showcased

CommentaryJM Equity Hybrid FundBOI AXA Mid and Small Cap Equity and Debt FundICICI Prudential Equity and Debt FundICICI Prudential Multi-Asset FundUTI Multi Asset FundEdelweiss Multi Asset Allocation FundSundaram Equity Hybrid FundUTI Hybrid Equity FundSBI Multi Asset Allocation FundNippon India Equity Hybrid Fund
Point 1Bottom quartile AUM (₹862 Cr).Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,250 Cr).Top quartile AUM (₹44,552 Cr).Highest AUM (₹62,014 Cr).Upper mid AUM (₹5,890 Cr).Lower mid AUM (₹2,926 Cr).Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,954 Cr).Upper mid AUM (₹6,468 Cr).Upper mid AUM (₹8,940 Cr).Lower mid AUM (₹3,988 Cr).
Point 2Oldest track record among peers (30 yrs).Established history (9+ yrs).Established history (25+ yrs).Established history (22+ yrs).Established history (16+ yrs).Established history (16+ yrs).Established history (25+ yrs).Established history (30+ yrs).Established history (19+ yrs).Established history (20+ yrs).
Point 3Rating: 1★ (lower mid).Not Rated.Top rated.Rating: 2★ (upper mid).Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).Rating: 2★ (lower mid).Rating: 3★ (upper mid).Rating: 4★ (top quartile).Rating: 4★ (upper mid).
Point 4Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderately High.Risk profile: Moderate.Risk profile: Moderately High.
Point 55Y return: 21.06% (upper mid).5Y return: 24.19% (top quartile).5Y return: 24.66% (top quartile).5Y return: 22.99% (upper mid).5Y return: 15.38% (bottom quartile).5Y return: 19.70% (upper mid).5Y return: 14.20% (bottom quartile).5Y return: 19.62% (lower mid).5Y return: 13.99% (bottom quartile).5Y return: 19.00% (lower mid).
Point 63Y return: 19.44% (top quartile).3Y return: 19.17% (top quartile).3Y return: 19.03% (upper mid).3Y return: 18.58% (upper mid).3Y return: 18.20% (upper mid).3Y return: 16.93% (lower mid).3Y return: 16.03% (lower mid).3Y return: 15.94% (bottom quartile).3Y return: 15.82% (bottom quartile).3Y return: 15.34% (bottom quartile).
Point 71Y return: -5.25% (bottom quartile).1Y return: -1.53% (bottom quartile).1Y return: 5.91% (upper mid).1Y return: 9.19% (top quartile).1Y return: 3.78% (lower mid).1Y return: 4.43% (upper mid).1Y return: 27.10% (top quartile).1Y return: 2.53% (bottom quartile).1Y return: 8.44% (upper mid).1Y return: 4.11% (lower mid).
Point 81M return: -3.88% (bottom quartile).1M return: -3.11% (bottom quartile).1M return: -0.34% (top quartile).1M return: -0.93% (upper mid).1M return: -1.12% (lower mid).1M return: -1.12% (upper mid).1M return: 1.80% (top quartile).1M return: -2.30% (bottom quartile).1M return: -1.70% (lower mid).1M return: -0.88% (upper mid).
Point 9Alpha: -6.24 (bottom quartile).Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid).Alpha: 2.78 (top quartile).Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid).Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid).Alpha: 2.31 (upper mid).Alpha: 5.81 (top quartile).Alpha: 0.77 (upper mid).Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile).Alpha: -0.36 (bottom quartile).
Point 10Sharpe: -0.41 (bottom quartile).Sharpe: -0.08 (bottom quartile).Sharpe: 0.33 (upper mid).Sharpe: 0.66 (top quartile).Sharpe: 0.22 (lower mid).Sharpe: 0.27 (upper mid).Sharpe: 2.64 (top quartile).Sharpe: 0.15 (lower mid).Sharpe: 0.41 (upper mid).Sharpe: 0.04 (bottom quartile).

JM Equity Hybrid Fund

  • Bottom quartile AUM (₹862 Cr).
  • Oldest track record among peers (30 yrs).
  • Rating: 1★ (lower mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 21.06% (upper mid).
  • 3Y return: 19.44% (top quartile).
  • 1Y return: -5.25% (bottom quartile).
  • 1M return: -3.88% (bottom quartile).
  • Alpha: -6.24 (bottom quartile).
  • Sharpe: -0.41 (bottom quartile).

BOI AXA Mid and Small Cap Equity and Debt Fund

  • Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,250 Cr).
  • Established history (9+ yrs).
  • Not Rated.
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 24.19% (top quartile).
  • 3Y return: 19.17% (top quartile).
  • 1Y return: -1.53% (bottom quartile).
  • 1M return: -3.11% (bottom quartile).
  • Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid).
  • Sharpe: -0.08 (bottom quartile).

ICICI Prudential Equity and Debt Fund

  • Top quartile AUM (₹44,552 Cr).
  • Established history (25+ yrs).
  • Top rated.
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 24.66% (top quartile).
  • 3Y return: 19.03% (upper mid).
  • 1Y return: 5.91% (upper mid).
  • 1M return: -0.34% (top quartile).
  • Alpha: 2.78 (top quartile).
  • Sharpe: 0.33 (upper mid).

ICICI Prudential Multi-Asset Fund

  • Highest AUM (₹62,014 Cr).
  • Established history (22+ yrs).
  • Rating: 2★ (upper mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 22.99% (upper mid).
  • 3Y return: 18.58% (upper mid).
  • 1Y return: 9.19% (top quartile).
  • 1M return: -0.93% (upper mid).
  • Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid).
  • Sharpe: 0.66 (top quartile).

UTI Multi Asset Fund

  • Upper mid AUM (₹5,890 Cr).
  • Established history (16+ yrs).
  • Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 15.38% (bottom quartile).
  • 3Y return: 18.20% (upper mid).
  • 1Y return: 3.78% (lower mid).
  • 1M return: -1.12% (lower mid).
  • Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid).
  • Sharpe: 0.22 (lower mid).

Edelweiss Multi Asset Allocation Fund

  • Lower mid AUM (₹2,926 Cr).
  • Established history (16+ yrs).
  • Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 19.70% (upper mid).
  • 3Y return: 16.93% (lower mid).
  • 1Y return: 4.43% (upper mid).
  • 1M return: -1.12% (upper mid).
  • Alpha: 2.31 (upper mid).
  • Sharpe: 0.27 (upper mid).

Sundaram Equity Hybrid Fund

  • Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,954 Cr).
  • Established history (25+ yrs).
  • Rating: 2★ (lower mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 14.20% (bottom quartile).
  • 3Y return: 16.03% (lower mid).
  • 1Y return: 27.10% (top quartile).
  • 1M return: 1.80% (top quartile).
  • Alpha: 5.81 (top quartile).
  • Sharpe: 2.64 (top quartile).

UTI Hybrid Equity Fund

  • Upper mid AUM (₹6,468 Cr).
  • Established history (30+ yrs).
  • Rating: 3★ (upper mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 19.62% (lower mid).
  • 3Y return: 15.94% (bottom quartile).
  • 1Y return: 2.53% (bottom quartile).
  • 1M return: -2.30% (bottom quartile).
  • Alpha: 0.77 (upper mid).
  • Sharpe: 0.15 (lower mid).

SBI Multi Asset Allocation Fund

  • Upper mid AUM (₹8,940 Cr).
  • Established history (19+ yrs).
  • Rating: 4★ (top quartile).
  • Risk profile: Moderate.
  • 5Y return: 13.99% (bottom quartile).
  • 3Y return: 15.82% (bottom quartile).
  • 1Y return: 8.44% (upper mid).
  • 1M return: -1.70% (lower mid).
  • Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile).
  • Sharpe: 0.41 (upper mid).

Nippon India Equity Hybrid Fund

  • Lower mid AUM (₹3,988 Cr).
  • Established history (20+ yrs).
  • Rating: 4★ (upper mid).
  • Risk profile: Moderately High.
  • 5Y return: 19.00% (lower mid).
  • 3Y return: 15.34% (bottom quartile).
  • 1Y return: 4.11% (lower mid).
  • 1M return: -0.88% (upper mid).
  • Alpha: -0.36 (bottom quartile).
  • Sharpe: 0.04 (bottom quartile).
*Above is list of best Balanced funds having AUM/Net Assets above 1000 Crore. Sorted on Last 3 Year Return.

Features of Balanced Funds

1) By investing in both equities and bond, the balanced fund provides diversification in its truest sense.

2) As these funds invest a sizable amount in equities, the returns received are adequate.

3) Balanced funds provide automatic Portfolio balancing, that is highly beneficial when the markets are volatile. So when the markets are high, the fund manager automatically trades equities to maintain its maximum level and vice-versa.

Benefits of Balanced Funds

Best of Both

Balanced funds are less volatile. They offer the best of both equity and debt funds ensuring higher return through equity component and stability through the debt component.

Low Risk, High Return

On the Basis of allocation of assets, the returns on balanced funds are risk adjusted. By investing in small cap and mid-cap stocks, the equity gains are much higher and the associated risk factor is controlled by the debt investment.

Tax Saving

Another benefit of the balanced fund is that they are tax saving. Being equity focused, the investment can be exempted from long-term Capital Gains tax. Also, when the lock-in period is beyond 3 years, the debt funds provide indexation benefits. That further aids in tax saving.

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Conclusion

For a conservative investor, a hybrid fund provides a stable portfolio of stocks as well as exposure to Fixed Income instruments. So, it is a very sensible long-term investment option that ensures a promising capital investment along with providing respectable returns in the later phase of life.

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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