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 (%) 2024 (%) ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund Growth ₹190.84
↑ 0.98 ₹7,214 14.1 4.3 7.9 33.2 40.6 27.4 Nippon India Small Cap Fund Growth ₹163.797
↑ 1.97 ₹55,491 12.3 -2.6 5 28.3 40.5 26.1 Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund Growth ₹99.4291
↑ 0.40 ₹26,028 8.5 -2.8 19.2 32.5 38.3 57.1 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 16 May 25
*Below is the list of best mutual funds based on 5 year CAGR/Annualized and AUM > 100 Crore.
To generate capital appreciation and income distribution to unit holders by investing predominantly in equity/equity related securities of the companies belonging to the infrastructure development and balance in debt securities and money market instruments. ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund is a Equity - Sectoral fund was launched on 31 Aug 05. It is a fund with High risk and has given a Below is the key information for ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 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 1. ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 16.1% since its launch. Ranked 27 in Sectoral category. Return for 2024 was 27.4% , 2023 was 44.6% and 2022 was 28.8% . ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund
Growth Launch Date 31 Aug 05 NAV (16 May 25) ₹190.84 ↑ 0.98 (0.52 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹7,214 on 31 Mar 25 Category Equity - Sectoral AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk High Expense Ratio 2.22 Sharpe Ratio 0.14 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 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 30 Apr 20 ₹10,000 30 Apr 21 ₹16,713 30 Apr 22 ₹23,306 30 Apr 23 ₹28,575 30 Apr 24 ₹47,499 30 Apr 25 ₹49,018 Returns for ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 16 May 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 7.1% 3 Month 14.1% 6 Month 4.3% 1 Year 7.9% 3 Year 33.2% 5 Year 40.6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 16.1% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 27.4% 2023 44.6% 2022 28.8% 2021 50.1% 2020 3.6% 2019 2.6% 2018 -14% 2017 40.8% 2016 2% 2015 -3.4% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund
Name Since Tenure Ihab Dalwai 3 Jun 17 7.91 Yr. Sharmila D’mello 30 Jun 22 2.84 Yr. Data below for ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund as on 31 Mar 25
Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Industrials 37.76% Basic Materials 20.96% Financial Services 15.36% Utility 9.33% Energy 6.59% Communication Services 1.87% Consumer Cyclical 0.9% Real Estate 0.82% Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 5.82% Equity 93.59% Debt 0.6% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Larsen & Toubro Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 09 | LT9% ₹678 Cr 1,940,000
↓ -112,790 Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 31 May 24 | ADANIPORTS4% ₹312 Cr 2,637,644
↓ -57,680 Shree Cement Ltd (Basic Materials)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 24 | 5003874% ₹264 Cr 86,408
↓ -12,000 NCC Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 21 | NCC4% ₹262 Cr 12,522,005
↑ 515,888 NTPC Ltd (Utilities)
Equity, Since 29 Feb 16 | 5325553% ₹250 Cr 7,000,000
↓ -260,775 Vedanta Ltd (Basic Materials)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 24 | 5002953% ₹219 Cr 4,723,662
↓ -200,000 ICICI Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 16 | ICICIBANK3% ₹216 Cr 1,600,000
↓ -390,000 Reliance Industries Ltd (Energy)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 23 | RELIANCE3% ₹199 Cr 1,559,486
↓ -150,000 Cummins India Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 31 May 17 | 5004803% ₹194 Cr 635,000 Kalpataru Projects International Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 06 | 5222873% ₹186 Cr 1,903,566 2. Nippon India Small Cap Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 21% 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 (16 May 25) ₹163.797 ↑ 1.97 (1.22 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹55,491 on 31 Mar 25 Category Equity - Small Cap AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 1.55 Sharpe Ratio 0.07 Information Ratio 0.53 Alpha Ratio -0.23 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 30 Apr 20 ₹10,000 30 Apr 21 ₹19,886 30 Apr 22 ₹27,720 30 Apr 23 ₹30,657 30 Apr 24 ₹49,376 30 Apr 25 ₹49,414 Returns for Nippon India Small Cap Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 16 May 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 6.8% 3 Month 12.3% 6 Month -2.6% 1 Year 5% 3 Year 28.3% 5 Year 40.5% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 21% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 26.1% 2023 48.9% 2022 6.5% 2021 74.3% 2020 29.2% 2019 -2.5% 2018 -16.7% 2017 63% 2016 5.6% 2015 15.1% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Small Cap Fund
Name Since Tenure Samir Rachh 2 Jan 17 8.33 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 6.94 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Small Cap Fund as on 31 Mar 25
Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Industrials 22.85% Consumer Cyclical 14.12% Financial Services 13.91% Basic Materials 12.5% Consumer Defensive 9.15% Health Care 8.25% Technology 8.09% Energy 1.92% Utility 1.9% Communication Services 1.47% Real Estate 0.5% Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 5.34% Equity 94.66% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity HDFC Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 22 | HDFCBANK2% ₹1,280 Cr 6,650,000 Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 21 | MCX2% ₹1,134 Cr 1,851,010 Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 18 | DIXON1% ₹773 Cr 470,144 Kirloskar Brothers Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 12 | KIRLOSBROS1% ₹766 Cr 4,472,130 Tube Investments of India Ltd Ordinary Shares (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 18 | TIINDIA1% ₹724 Cr 2,499,222 State Bank of India (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 19 | SBIN1% ₹718 Cr 9,100,000 Karur Vysya Bank Ltd (Financial Services)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 17 | 5900031% ₹693 Cr 31,784,062 Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 22 | 5001031% ₹624 Cr 27,500,000 Emami Ltd (Consumer Defensive)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 23 | 5311621% ₹623 Cr 9,970,126 NLC India Ltd (Utilities)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 22 | NLCINDIA1% ₹619 Cr 27,190,940 3. Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund
CAGR/Annualized return of 22.7% 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 (16 May 25) ₹99.4291 ↑ 0.40 (0.41 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹26,028 on 31 Mar 25 Category Equity - Mid Cap AMC Motilal Oswal Asset Management Co. Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately High Expense Ratio 0.66 Sharpe Ratio 0.47 Information Ratio 0.63 Alpha Ratio 8.9 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 30 Apr 20 ₹10,000 30 Apr 21 ₹15,779 30 Apr 22 ₹22,526 30 Apr 23 ₹24,941 30 Apr 24 ₹40,218 30 Apr 25 ₹45,886 Returns for Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 16 May 25 Duration Returns 1 Month 10.4% 3 Month 8.5% 6 Month -2.8% 1 Year 19.2% 3 Year 32.5% 5 Year 38.3% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 22.7% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 57.1% 2023 41.7% 2022 10.7% 2021 55.8% 2020 9.3% 2019 9.7% 2018 -12.7% 2017 30.8% 2016 5.2% 2015 16.5% Fund Manager information for Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund
Name Since Tenure Ajay Khandelwal 1 Oct 24 0.58 Yr. Niket Shah 1 Jul 20 4.83 Yr. Rakesh Shetty 22 Nov 22 2.44 Yr. Sunil Sawant 1 Jul 24 0.83 Yr. Data below for Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund as on 31 Mar 25
Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Technology 29.99% Consumer Cyclical 16.64% Industrials 14.58% Health Care 4.76% Communication Services 3.95% Real Estate 3.03% Basic Materials 2.07% Utility 0.35% Financial Services 0.09% Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 32.1% Equity 67.9% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Persistent Systems Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Jan 23 | PERSISTENT10% ₹2,794 Cr 5,250,000
↑ 750,200 Coforge Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 23 | COFORGE9% ₹2,630 Cr 3,600,000
↑ 350,000 Kalyan Jewellers India Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 29 Feb 24 | KALYANKJIL8% ₹2,246 Cr 43,490,250
↑ 3,495,625 Polycab India Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 23 | POLYCAB5% ₹1,380 Cr 2,500,000
↑ 275,000 Dixon Technologies (India) Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 23 | DIXON4% ₹1,210 Cr 735,200 Trent Ltd (Consumer Cyclical)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 24 | 5002514% ₹1,105 Cr 2,135,744 Bharti Hexacom Ltd (Communication Services)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 24 | BHARTIHEXA4% ₹1,098 Cr 6,500,000 Max Healthcare Institute Ltd Ordinary Shares (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 24 | MAXHEALTH4% ₹1,095 Cr 9,969,361 One97 Communications Ltd (Technology)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 24 | 5433964% ₹1,071 Cr 12,388,500 KEI Industries Ltd (Industrials)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 24 | KEI3% ₹827 Cr 2,700,000
↑ 200,000
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