Small cap fund investing : The Small and the Beautiful

Fund Name Year Of inception Fund rating ( Crisil rated ) Portfolio Size ( In Cr ) Expense ratioExit Load
Quant small cap fund1996326,645 cr1.591% for redemption within 365 days
Bandhan Small cap fund 202047,534 cr1.741% for redemption within 365 days
Hdfc Small cap fund2008333,894 cr1.571% for redemption within 365 days
Nippon India small cap fund2010462,260 cr 1.421% for redemption within 365 days
Axis Small cap fund2013224,766 cr1.61For units in excess of 10% of the investment, 1% will be charged for redemption within 365 days
HSBC Small Cap fund2014417,306 cr1.68For units in excess of 10% of the investment, 1% will be charged for redemption within 365 days
SBI small cap fund 2009334,217 cr1.561% for redemption within 365 days
DSP small Cap fund 2007116,705 cr1.71% for redemption within 364 days
Kotak Small cap Fund2005318,287 cr1.64For units in excess of 10% of the investment, 1% will be charged for redemption within 365 days
Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Fund Reg (G)20225,478 cr1.791% for redemption within 3 months
ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)202052,415 cr1.931% for redemption within 365 days

Quant small cap fund : 

One of the oldest performing funds in the category, enjoying 3 star rating, but of course it was not launched by quant but had been taken over by quant, with a decent portfolio size of 26,645 cr , expense ratio of 1.59.

Bandhan Small cap fund : 

Launched in 2020 , bandhan small cap enjoys 4 star rating , Portfolio size is small at 7,534 cr, high expense ratio of 1.74.  

Hdfc Small cap fund: 

Launched in 2008 , the fund enjoys a 3 star rating . It has a decent fund size of 33,894 cr, and seems like a lot of people liked it . The expense ratio is very low 1.57. 

Nippon India small cap fund : 

Launched in 2010, the category leader enjoys a 4 star rating. Highest fund size of 62,260 cr, managed by sunil singhania before exit. Lowest expense ratio of 1.42% . 

Axis Small cap fund : 

Launched in 2013 , the fund enjoys a 2 star rating. Even with this rating the fund has a decent portfolio size of 24,766 cr , as it was favorite at some point in time. 1.61% expense ratio is very decent. 

HSBC Small Cap fund : 

Launched in 2014, the fund was very much in demand in its earlier times. It enjoyed a rating of 4. Portfolio size of 17,306 cr . Expense ratio is a bit high 1.68%.

SBI small cap fund : 

Launched in 2009, with the distribution power of SBI bank , the fund is the 3rd highest fund size of 34,217 Cr. Fund is 3 star rated. Low expense ratio of 1.56%. 

DSP small Cap fund : 

Launched in 2007, the fund is 1 star rated. Fund size is 16,705 cr. High expense ratio of 1.64%. 

Kotak Small cap Fund : 

The fund was launched in 2005. Currently rated as 3 star. Has garnered a decent fund size of 18,287 cr. Decent expense ratio of 1.64% .

Mahindra Manulife Small Cap: 

The fund launched in 2022, so the fund is not rated till now. Very Small fund size of 5,478  cr. High expense ratio of 1.79%. 7

ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)

The fund was launched in 2020, is highest rated as of now at 5. The fund size is not too big 2,415 cr. The expense ratio is 1.93 .

Trailing Returns : 

Scheme1 Year3 Year5 Year7 Year10 Year15 Year
Bandhan Small Cap Fund Reg (G)59.8826.440000
Kotak Small cap Fund (G)36.9919.0631.1720.0719.9718.93
HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G)36.4525.8130.6918.7121.0414.36
Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G)32.920.9627.321.519.860
Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Fund Reg (G)45.2500000
Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G)39.9728.7535.7822.6322.850
DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G)32.4521.8330.5517.5419.7620.97
ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)46.9720.360000
SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)32.2520.3827.9719.4222.5321.16
Quant Small Cap Fund (G)43.9725.6745.8126.2820.8417.94
HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)27.1722.4828.2218.8819.2517.52

Even though in the market the past returns are no guarantee of future returns but let us understand how in this rising market these funds have performed. Well we do have trailing returns history for last 24 years since only one fund was present at that moment we would consider the following 13 years trailing ,we see that looking at 1year/ 3 years / 5 years /7 years /10/15 years returns

1 year trailing 

1st quartile : 51.25 – 60% –  Bandhan Small Cap Fund Reg (G), 

2rd quartile : 42.5 – 51.25 % – Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Fund Reg (G), ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), Quant Small Cap Fund (G)

3rth quartile : 33.75 – 42.5 % – Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G), Kotak Small cap Fund (G), HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G), 

4th quartile : 25 – 33.75 % – Axis Small Cap Fund Reg, DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G), SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)

3 years trailing return 

1st quartile : 25 – 29%: Bandhan Small Cap Fund Reg (G), HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G), Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G), Quant Small Cap Fund (G)

2nd quartile: 21- 25%: DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G), HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)

3rd quartile : 17 – 21% : Kotak Small cap Fund (G), ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G)

4th quartile : 13- 17%: No fund under discussion was in this range 

Mahindra Manulife small cap did not have a long history.

5 years trailing returns 

1st quartile : 40.25%- 46% : Quant Small Cap Fund (G)

2nd quartile : 34.5- 40.25%: Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G), 

3rd  quartile : 28.75- 34.5 % : Kotak Small cap Fund (G), HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G),DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G)

4th quartile : 23- 28.75% – Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G), SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)

Bandhan small cap fund , Mahindra Manulife small cap, ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G) did not have a long history.

10  years trailing returns 

1st quartile :  21-23%: HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G), Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G), SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), 

2nd quartile : 19-21% :Quant Small Cap Fund (G), Kotak Small cap Fund (G), Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G), DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G),HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)

3rd quartile : 17-19%: no fund under discussion 

4th quartile : 15-17% :no fund under discussion  

No history : ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G),Bandhan Small cap fund and Mahindra Manulife small cap fund

15  years trailing returns 

1st quartile : 20-22% : DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G), SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)

2nd quartile : 18-20% : Kotak Small cap Fund (G)

3rd quartile : 16-18% : Quant Small Cap Fund (G), HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)

4th quartile : 14-16% : HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G)

No history : Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G),ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G),Bandhan Small cap fund and Mahindra Manulife small cap fund and Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G)

Rolling returns 

SchemeAverageMedianMaximumReturn %MinimumLess than 0%0-8%8-12%12-15%Return Consistency (% of times)15-20%Greater Than 20%
Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G)21.5421.6925.7315.31000024.7875.22
Quant Small Cap Fund (G)14.5817.427.91-2.943.5525.475.763.439.0122.81
HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)16.8217.1622.327.5400.36.3518.0364.1411.18
Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G)19.7119.423.4616.15000060.5339.47
HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G)16.0617.7522.235.1403.6915.3218.0854.888.03
SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)22.0721.4328.3717.36000023.676.4
DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G)17.7517.312413.440009.3669.4121.23
Kotak Small cap Fund (G)17.8317.9722.879.6003.7911.6763.2521.28

Rolling returns helps us to understand how consistent the fund has been in performance. And Since we are talking about small cap fund i consider the rolling returns of 7 years as i think its good duration for small cap to have a cycle. Starting year 2008

20% rolling return 

We see that SBI small cap fund and Nippon India Smaller companies fund were most consistent with close to 75% % of times in above 20% range , also they did not deliver a negative result in rolling periods.

Axis small cap fund did it 34% of the time.

With upwards of 20% of times being the above 20% zone DSP Small cap fund, Kotak Small cap  and Quant small cap fund but quant had delivered negative returns also.

HDFC small cap fund was in this range for 10% of times quant gave negative return also. 

HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G) was for 8% of times. 

>15-20% Rolling returns 

This zone SBI small cap fund,Axis small cap, Nippon India Smaller companies fund , delivered 100% of the time. 

DSP small cap fund was 90% times in the category .

Kotak Small Cap Fund (G) delivered 84% of times

HDFC Small Cap Fund (G) has delivered 75% of times.

Quant Small Cap Fund (G) ,HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G) were above 60% of times in this category or returns.

Vs Benchmark 

Scheme1 Year3 Year5 Year10 Year
Bandhan Small Cap Fund Reg (G)59.8826.4400
Kotak Small cap Fund (G)36.9919.0631.1719.97
HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G)36.4525.8130.6921.04
Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G)32.920.9627.319.86
Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Fund Reg (G)45.25000
Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G)39.9728.7535.7822.85
DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G)32.4521.8330.5519.76
ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)46.9720.3600
SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)32.2520.3827.9722.53
Quant Small Cap Fund (G)43.9725.6745.8120.84
HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)27.1722.4828.2219.25
NIFTY SMALLCAP 250 TRI39.8123.2230.9717.06

1 year trailing 

1st quartile : 51.25 – 60% –  Bandhan Small Cap Fund Reg (G), 

2rd quartile : 42.5 – 51.25 % – Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Fund Reg (G), ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), Quant Small Cap Fund (G)

3rth quartile : 33.75 – 42.5 % – Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G), 

Kotak Small cap Fund (G), HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G),  Axis Small Cap Fund Reg, DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G), SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), HDFC Small Cap Fund (G) could not beat the benchmark returns. 

3 years trailing return 

1st quartile : 25 – 29%: Bandhan Small Cap Fund Reg (G), HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G), Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G), Quant Small Cap Fund (G)

DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G), HDFC Small Cap Fund (G), Kotak Small cap Fund (G), ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G) could not beat the benchmark. 

5 years trailing returns 

1st quartile : 40.25%- 46% : Quant Small Cap Fund (G)

2nd quartile : 34.5- 40.25%: Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G), 

3rd  quartile : 28.75- 34.5 % : Kotak Small cap Fund (G) 

HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G),DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G),Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G), SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)

Bandhan small cap fund , Mahindra Manulife small cap, ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G) did not have a long history.

10  years trailing returns 

1st quartile :  21-23%: HSBC Small Cap Fund Reg (G), Nippon India Small Cap Fund (G), SBI Small Cap Fund Reg (G), 

2nd quartile : 19-21% :Quant Small Cap Fund (G), Kotak Small cap Fund (G), Axis Small Cap Fund Reg (G), DSP Small cap Fund Reg (G),HDFC Small Cap Fund (G)

All funds were able to beat the index. 

No history : ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G),Bandhan Small cap fund and Mahindra Manulife small cap fund

Ratios : 

Fund Name Alpha 3 yearsAlpha 5 yearsAlpha 10 yearsBeta 3 Beta 5Beta 10Std deviation 3 yearsStd deviation 5 yearsStd deviation 10 yearsSharpe Ratio  

3 years

Sharpe Ratio  

5 years

Sharpe Ratio 10 yearsSortino Ratio 
Quant small cap fund3.4810.806.050.920.970.7017.1625.7720.181.301.480.791.89
Bandhan Small cap fund 2.920.9116.881.282.66
ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)0.790.7715.151.091.59
HDFC Small cap fund1.1-3.121.710.800.950.8914.6323.0320.131.191.030.721.87
Nippon India small cap fund5.952.864.220.810.940.9414.6422.6421.081.541.300.842.57
Axis Small cap fund2.790.564.030.650.790.7311.9319.4016.841.361.180.862.30
HSBC Small Cap fund3.57-.873.080.810.930.9014.7122.4820.321.371.130.782.30
SBI small cap fund 3.170.425.210.640.790.8012.0719.3319.051.341.170.882.28
DSP small Cap fund -0.41-0.782.040.880.930.9115.9922.4920.651.091.130.731.91
Kotak Small cap Fund0.540.672.780.710.900.8613.4422.1819.711.121.180.762.14
Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Fund Reg (G)

Fund managers Longevity  : 

Quant small cap fund :

Fund is being managed by 3 fund managers with one managing the fund for the last 8 years, others managing the fund for 5 years. 

Bandhan Small cap fund : 

The fund is being managed by the head of equities for the bandhan team, he was CIO at nippon asset management earlier. Total 5 managers, the head of equities has the maximum experience but has a lot of funds to be managed. A new fund manager was added to the team in June . The others are very new managers and new to industry. 

ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)

The fund is being managed by 2 fund managers, they have been managing the fund for the last 2 years. Both the fund managers have a lot of industry experience of about 20 years. 

HDFC Small cap fund: 

It has two fund managers, one has been managing the fund for about 10 years and other for the last 1 year. 

Nippon India small cap fund : 

The fund is being managed by 2 fund managers. Have been managing funds for the last 8 -10 years. 

Axis Small cap fund : 

A new took over with 3 fund managers and one of them has experience of 20 years. 

HSBC Small Cap fund :  

Total 3 fund managers have been managing the fund. One of them has been managing for the last 5 years and is the CIO of HSBC amc. The other two have been with the fund for just 1 year but have good industry experience of more than 10 years.

SBI small cap fund : 

Total 3 fund managers . ONe has been managing the fund of 11 years. Other managers have joined in last 1-2 years. 

DSP small Cap fund : 

2 fund managers are managing the fund, one for 14 years, and the other for 11 years. 

Kotak Small cap Fund :  

1 fund managers who are new to fund kotak though had good experience in the industry. 

Mahindra Manulife Small Cap: 

New team with 2 fund managers.

Portfolio : 

Fund Name Strategy Top SectorsTop StockAllocationNo of StocksPortfolio Churn( %)
Quant small cap fundMomentum , growth and qualityEnergy & utilities – 16.64

FInancials – 16.41

Consumer disc : 15.8

Healthcare  – 13.57

RIL – 9.63

Jio – 6.71

Aditya Birla Fashion : 4.13

HFCL- 4.11

Large Cap : 20.60%

Mid Cap : 37.48%

Small cap : 28.85%

Cash : 12.13%

Debt : 0.94%

7287
Bandhan Small cap fund Momentum , growth and VolatilityFinancial : 19.49

Consumer discretionary : 14.10

Materials : 13.27%

Healthcare : 11.14

Industrial : 10.99

PCBL : 3.16

Cholamandal Finan : 2.61

LT foods : 2.43

Karnataka bank : 1.58

Large cap : 10.01%

Mid cap :40.72%

Small Cap : 39.16 %

Cash : 10.06%

Debt : 0.05%

16689
ITI Small Cap Fund Reg (G)Momentum , growth and VolatilityIndustrial : 27.61

Financial : 18.11

Materials : 16.49

Consumer discretionary :10.02

PG electroplast: 2.40

NCC : 2.33

Kirloskar OIL : 1.95

Kirlosker Pneumatic :1.81 

Large Cap : 15.37%

Mid Cap : 60.22%

Small cap : 22.76%

Cash : 1.33%

Debt : 0.32%

83125
HDFC Small cap fundMomentum, growth and qualityIndustrial : 28.97

Consumer discretionary :19.4

Healthcare : 10.07

Financial : 9.45

Firstsource : 5.45

Eclerx services :3.29

BOB : 3.12

Aster DM health : 2.86

Sonata software : 2.58

Large Cap : 3.89%

Mid Cap : 47.33%

Small cap : 42.03%

Cash : 6.75%

Debt : 0

8510
Nippon India small cap fundMomentum, growth, Quality Industrial : 24.2

Materials : 15.34

Consumer discretionary :14.41

Financial:   14.19

HDFC : 1.85

Tube investments : 1.74

MCX : 1.68

Apar : 1.38

VOLTAMP: 1.38

Large Cap : 17.16%

Mid Cap : 44.40%

Small cap : 34.38%

Cash : 4.04%

Debt : 0.02%

21922
Axis Small cap fundMomentum and growthFinancial : 18.37

Industrial : 15.52

Materials : 13.49

Consumer discretionary: 11.58

Blue star : 3.84

Brigade : 3.52

Cholamandalam finance : 3.12

Krishna inst. : 2.42

Large Cap : 7.99%

Mid Cap : 50.48%

Small cap : 30.87%

Cash : 0.14%

Debt : 10.52%

12123
HSBC Small Cap fundQuality Industrial : 25.26

Consumer discretionary : 17.31

Materials: 16.3

Financial : 13.9

Apar : 2.78

Century Textile : 2.65

Trent : 2.54

Brigade : 2.37

Techno electrical and engineering : 2.29

Large Cap : 8.59%

Mid Cap : 67.82%

Small cap : 21.66%

Cash : 1.93

Debt : 0

9722
SBI small cap fund Momentum , growth and quality Industrial : 21.38

Consumer discretionary : 14.68

Financial : 16.44

Materials : 14.37

Kalpataru project : 3.60

Blue star : 3.56

Ge T&D india: 3.44

Whirlpool : 2.90

Large Cap : 0%

Mid Cap : 61.02%

Small cap : 31.73%

Cash : 7.25

Debt : 0

5712
DSP small Cap fund Momentum , growth and quality Consumer discretionary : 26.4

Materials : 23.91

Industrial : 16.65

Healthcare :  8.37

Jubilant Igreva : 3.69

Eclerx : 3.14

Welspun : 2.89

Suprajit Engg : 2.87

Large Cap : 0%

Mid Cap :30.88 %

Small cap : 63.22%

Cash : 5.89%

Debt : 0

7418
Kotak Small cap FundMomentum , growth and quality Industrial : 25.32

Consumer discretionary : 20.39

Materials : 18.69

Healthcare : 12.69

CYIENT : 3.27

Techno electrical and engineering :3.12

Century Plyboard : 3.09

Blue star : 2.95

Large Cap : 10.97%

Mid Cap : 54.85 %

Small cap : 30.64%

Cash : 3.54

Debt : 0

749
Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Fund Reg (G)GARP Industrial : 20.08

Materials : 15.09 

Consumer discretionary : 11.69

Energy and utility  10.28

Century textile : 3.28

PCBL : 3.22

Anant Raj : 2.76

GAIL : 2.63

Cholamandalam finance. : 2.61

Large Cap : 10.47%

Mid Cap : 54 %

Small cap : 26.55%

Debt : 0

Cash : 8.98

8066

Result :

The Small cap category in recent times has garnered a lot of interest from investors as it has given the best results doubling money in 2 years time period. A lot of money has been invested into the fund through the SIP route. The largest fund being the Nippon large cap fund. 

But the investor needs to be mindful of the risk the category has had zero returns to investors for a five year period. Also the Small cap as a category is volatile and quite illiquid in nature, so a large amount of money chasing large small numbers of good stocks may lead to over valuation. Or the fund manager may take a risky bet to just allocate money. 

Though SEBI has done a stress test , investors should be wary and follow advice from the advisor before making investment to any of the funds discussed above. The category has a lot of funds to invest. We have discussed the funds in depth. You need to check which funds suits you as per your requirement and strategy. 

Last not least for any investment a person should follow his asset allocation guidelines 

https://wealthinn.in/asset-allocation-guideline-for-investment/

You can reach us to help you design the best fund portfolio , so that you get best results according to your need and assessment.( you can reach us : https://wa.me/message/LC5W5ZNTPSJ5L1)

Author

Wealth inn

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