Coronavirus has impacted the global Economy, due to which the domestic equity faced a huge decline. Most stocks have been hit low records. The BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty had their worst run since the 2nd week of March. On 18th March, Sensex ended at 28,896 points by falling 1709 points while Nifty failed below 8500 points.

In the midst of the mayhem, the pharma sector looks less affected as it is profiting handsomely. Investors hunting for safe havens in the ongoing turmoil can consider Investing in the pharma sector as it is showing an improving trend in Earnings.
In recent years, the pharmaceutical sector has augmented as the new listing of hospitals and diagnostic companies have been added more to the basket. The government policies and rising Income levels are giving robust growth in this sector.
The pharmaceutical sector was valued at US$33 billion in 2017. In 2018, the Indian pharmaceutical exports stood at US$17.27 billion and reached US$19.14 billion in 2019. The pharmaceutical Industry is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 22.4% by 2020.
Indian companies received 304 Abbreviated New Drug Application from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2017. The pharma sector will expand and will reach US$55 billion by 2025.
The pharmaceuticals exports bulk drugs, intermediates, drug formulations, biologicals, herbal products and so on. India’s biotechnology industry compromising bio-agriculture, bio-industry, bio-pharmaceuticals and so on is expected to grow at the moderate rate of around 30% a year and it is expected to reach US$ 100 billion in the coming years.
The pharma sector provides several opportunities for investments and trade due to the following factors:
(Erstwhile SBI Pharma Fund) To provide the investors maximum growth opportunity through equity
investments in stocks of growth oriented sectors of the economy. Below is the key information for SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The primary investment objective of the scheme is to seek to generate consistent returns by investing in equity and equity related or fixed income securities of Pharma and other associated companies. Research Highlights for Nippon India Pharma Fund Below is the key information for Nippon India Pharma Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile UTI Pharma & Healthcare Fund) The Investment objective of the Scheme is capital appreciation through investments in equities and equity related instruments of the Pharma & Healthcare sectors. Research Highlights for UTI Healthcare Fund Below is the key information for UTI Healthcare Fund Returns up to 1 year are on Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2024 (%) SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund Growth ₹455.526
↓ -6.28 ₹4,064 8 5 10.1 25.9 15.4 -3.5 Nippon India Pharma Fund Growth ₹531.85
↑ 1.18 ₹7,898 5.8 2.8 8.3 23.2 12.9 -3.3 UTI Healthcare Fund Growth ₹300.687
↑ 0.72 ₹1,056 7.7 3.9 11.5 26.2 13.7 -3.1 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 12 May 26 Research Highlights & Commentary of 3 Funds showcased
Commentary SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund Nippon India Pharma Fund UTI Healthcare Fund Point 1 Lower mid AUM (₹4,064 Cr). Highest AUM (₹7,898 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹1,056 Cr). Point 2 Established history (21+ yrs). Established history (21+ yrs). Oldest track record among peers (26 yrs). Point 3 Top rated. Rating: 2★ (lower mid). Rating: 1★ (bottom quartile). Point 4 Risk profile: High. Risk profile: High. Risk profile: High. Point 5 5Y return: 15.37% (upper mid). 5Y return: 12.92% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 13.67% (lower mid). Point 6 3Y return: 25.92% (lower mid). 3Y return: 23.21% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 26.22% (upper mid). Point 7 1Y return: 10.12% (lower mid). 1Y return: 8.27% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 11.47% (upper mid). Point 8 Alpha: -0.87 (lower mid). Alpha: 0.02 (upper mid). Alpha: -1.12 (bottom quartile). Point 9 Sharpe: -0.33 (lower mid). Sharpe: -0.25 (upper mid). Sharpe: -0.35 (bottom quartile). Point 10 Information ratio: -0.15 (upper mid). Information ratio: -0.77 (bottom quartile). Information ratio: -0.33 (lower mid). SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund
Nippon India Pharma Fund
UTI Healthcare Fund
1. SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund
SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund
Growth Launch Date 31 Dec 04 NAV (12 May 26) ₹455.526 ↓ -6.28 (-1.36 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹4,064 on 31 Mar 26 Category Equity - Sectoral AMC SBI Funds Management Private Limited Rating ☆☆ Risk High Expense Ratio 1.97 Sharpe Ratio -0.33 Information Ratio -0.15 Alpha Ratio -0.87 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-15 Days (0.5%),15 Days and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value 30 Apr 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,382 30 Apr 23 ₹10,580 30 Apr 24 ₹16,264 30 Apr 25 ₹19,718 30 Apr 26 ₹20,617 Returns for SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 12 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 7.6% 3 Month 8% 6 Month 5% 1 Year 10.1% 3 Year 25.9% 5 Year 15.4% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 15.2% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 -3.5% 2023 42.2% 2022 38.2% 2021 -6% 2020 20.1% 2019 65.8% 2018 -0.5% 2017 -9.9% 2016 2.1% 2015 -14% Fund Manager information for SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund
Name Since Tenure Tanmaya Desai 1 Jun 11 14.92 Yr. Data below for SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund as on 31 Mar 26
Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Health Care 88.63% Basic Materials 8.75% Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 2.56% Equity 97.38% Debt 0.07% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 17 | SUNPHARMA12% ₹506 Cr 2,800,000 Divi's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 12 | DIVISLAB7% ₹293 Cr 450,000 Acutaas Chemicals Ltd (Basic Materials)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 24 | 5433495% ₹233 Cr 900,000 Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Jan 26 | APOLLOHOSP5% ₹229 Cr 300,000 Max Healthcare Institute Ltd Ordinary Shares (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 21 | MAXHEALTH5% ₹223 Cr 2,250,000
↑ 150,000 Aster DM Healthcare Ltd Ordinary Shares (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 24 | ASTERDM4% ₹168 Cr 2,400,000 Lupin Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 23 | 5002574% ₹166 Cr 720,000 Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 21 | TORNTPHARM3% ₹151 Cr 360,000 Anthem Biosciences Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 25 | ANTHEM3% ₹149 Cr 1,962,504
↑ 508 Aether Industries Ltd (Basic Materials)
Equity, Since 31 May 22 | AETHER3% ₹145 Cr 1,235,202
↓ -84,798 2. Nippon India Pharma Fund
Nippon India Pharma Fund
Growth Launch Date 5 Jun 04 NAV (13 May 26) ₹531.85 ↑ 1.18 (0.22 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹7,898 on 31 Mar 26 Category Equity - Sectoral AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆ Risk High Expense Ratio 1.81 Sharpe Ratio -0.25 Information Ratio -0.77 Alpha Ratio 0.02 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 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,384 30 Apr 23 ₹10,256 30 Apr 24 ₹15,499 30 Apr 25 ₹17,974 30 Apr 26 ₹18,700 Returns for Nippon India Pharma Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 12 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 7.1% 3 Month 5.8% 6 Month 2.8% 1 Year 8.3% 3 Year 23.2% 5 Year 12.9% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 19.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 -3.3% 2023 34% 2022 39.2% 2021 -9.9% 2020 23.9% 2019 66.4% 2018 1.7% 2017 3.6% 2016 7.6% 2015 -10.6% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Pharma Fund
Name Since Tenure Sailesh Raj Bhan 1 Apr 05 21.1 Yr. Kinjal Desai 25 May 18 7.94 Yr. Amber Singhania 11 Mar 26 0.14 Yr. Data below for Nippon India Pharma Fund as on 31 Mar 26
Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Health Care 98.68% Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 1.32% Equity 98.68% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 09 | SUNPHARMA14% ₹1,158 Cr 6,406,349
↑ 150,000 Lupin Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Aug 08 | 5002578% ₹665 Cr 2,883,991 Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Jun 11 | DRREDDY7% ₹589 Cr 4,449,746
↑ 700,000 Divi's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 12 | DIVISLAB7% ₹553 Cr 850,754 Cipla Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 May 08 | 5000875% ₹458 Cr 3,495,054 Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 20 | APOLLOHOSP5% ₹419 Cr 548,795 Medplus Health Services Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 22 | MEDPLUS4% ₹316 Cr 3,627,277 Vijaya Diagnostic Centre Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 21 | VIJAYA3% ₹281 Cr 2,486,684
↓ -400,000 Sai Life Sciences Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 24 | SAILIFE3% ₹273 Cr 2,555,745 Ajanta Pharma Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 22 | 5323313% ₹267 Cr 946,323 3. UTI Healthcare Fund
UTI Healthcare Fund
Growth Launch Date 28 Jun 99 NAV (13 May 26) ₹300.687 ↑ 0.72 (0.24 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹1,056 on 31 Mar 26 Category Equity - Sectoral AMC UTI Asset Management Company Ltd Rating ☆ Risk High Expense Ratio 2.26 Sharpe Ratio -0.35 Information Ratio -0.33 Alpha Ratio -1.12 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 21 ₹10,000 30 Apr 22 ₹10,234 30 Apr 23 ₹9,869 30 Apr 24 ₹14,738 30 Apr 25 ₹17,770 30 Apr 26 ₹19,251 Returns for UTI Healthcare Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 12 May 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 7.6% 3 Month 7.7% 6 Month 3.9% 1 Year 11.5% 3 Year 26.2% 5 Year 13.7% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 14.7% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2024 -3.1% 2023 42.9% 2022 38.2% 2021 -12.3% 2020 19.1% 2019 67.4% 2018 1.2% 2017 -7.5% 2016 6.2% 2015 -9.7% Fund Manager information for UTI Healthcare Fund
Name Since Tenure Kamal Gada 2 May 22 4 Yr. Data below for UTI Healthcare Fund as on 31 Mar 26
Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Health Care 94.69% Basic Materials 0.57% Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Cash 4.75% Equity 95.25% Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Oct 06 | SUNPHARMA9% ₹108 Cr 600,000 Ajanta Pharma Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Jul 17 | 5323316% ₹67 Cr 236,511
↓ -4,345 Lupin Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 25 | 5002574% ₹48 Cr 210,000
↓ -60,000 Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Apr 21 | APOLLOHOSP4% ₹40 Cr 53,000 Divi's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Sep 17 | DIVISLAB3% ₹39 Cr 60,738 Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Mar 24 | 5322963% ₹38 Cr 159,440
↓ -40,560 Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 28 Feb 18 | DRREDDY3% ₹38 Cr 290,000 Gland Pharma Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 30 Nov 20 | GLAND3% ₹38 Cr 215,251 Fortis Healthcare Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 Dec 20 | 5328433% ₹37 Cr 400,000 Alkem Laboratories Ltd (Healthcare)
Equity, Since 31 May 21 | ALKEM3% ₹37 Cr 68,000
Medical spending in India has projected to grow 9-12 per cent over the next five years. Further, the growth in domestic sales may increase because of coronavirus. To add more, in such a volatile phase, there are a few Mutual Funds that are performing well.
Speedy introduction of generic or new drugs into the market are in focus and it has expected to benefit the Indian Pharmaceutical companies.
Research Highlights for SBI Healthcare Opportunities Fund