Here’s a recap of how the technique was designed and the thought course of behind it.
What’s the problem in constructing an fairness portfolio utilizing mutual funds?
Constructing an fairness mutual fund portfolio can really feel complicated and overwhelming.
- Too Many Selections!
With over 45 fund homes providing an unlimited array of fairness fund schemes throughout a number of classes, the alternatives can really feel infinite. And the nagging query stays: What if I select the unsuitable one? - Fund Scores don’t work!
Have you ever ever questioned why ranking companies by no means present the efficiency monitor file of their 5-star-rated funds? - Previous Efficiency doesn’t assist in choosing future winners!
Proof means that portfolios made up solely of latest winners are inclined to underperform sooner or later.


How can we remedy this?
Determine confirmed funding types that may outperform the passive index (Nifty 50 or Nifty 500) over the long term!
Funding analysis worldwide has repeatedly proven that shares with particular, well-defined traits usually outperform widespread market-cap-based benchmarks just like the Nifty 50 or Nifty 500 over the long run. These traits, generally known as elements, have demonstrated enduring success, constantly delivering efficiency over time and proving efficient throughout various fairness markets.
To this point, seven key elements have been recognized and validated globally.

Primarily based on the historic efficiency and portfolios of those completely different types, we discovered that
- ‘Dividend Yield’ hasn’t labored effectively in India.
- ‘Low volatility’ portfolios have a really excessive overlap with ‘High quality’ portfolios
So we are going to keep away from these two types.
Do these funding types outperform over the long term in India?
As seen under, most types have been in a position to outperform the passive index (Nifty 500 TRI) constantly over completely different 7 12 months intervals.

What’s the catch?
Completely different time examined Fairness Kinds whereas they outperform over the long term, undergo intermittent intervals of underperformance…

Whereas these funding types have constantly delivered robust outcomes over lengthy intervals (7+ years), they don’t carry out equally effectively within the quick time period. Every fashion experiences its personal cycles, with phases of underperformance adopted by intervals of serious outperformance. Nevertheless, over the long term, the good points from outperformance greater than make up for the lean phases of underperformance.
This underscores an necessary actuality: all types will inevitably face intervals of momentary underperformance as a part of their pure cycle.
Focusing solely on funds which have carried out effectively within the latest previous can result in a portfolio closely concentrated in a single or two funding types. When these types fall out of favor, your total portfolio might expertise extended underperformance for years.
That is why relying solely on previous efficiency is an unreliable technique for predicting future winners!
Can we determine the types that may carry out effectively within the subsequent few years?

As seen from the above desk, funding types rotate yearly and this can be very tough to foretell when these types shall be in favor or out of favor.
The way to construct an excellent fairness fund portfolio?
Regardless of this, we will construct a easy and efficient portfolio utilizing the time examined magical instrument – Diversification.
As an alternative of attempting to foretell which fashion will work over the following 5-7 years, we want to diversify throughout these 5 types. We will even be including ‘world’ publicity to supply world diversification.
Our perception – Time within the fashion is extra necessary than Timing the fashion!
Presenting ‘5 Finger Framework’ – Your All Seasons Fairness Portfolio Technique
Simply as we want all 5 fingers to carry out every day actions successfully, a well-constructed fairness fund portfolio requires a balanced illustration of 5 key types:
- High quality
- Worth
- Progress at a Cheap Value (GARP)
- Mid/Small Cap
- International Publicity/Momentum
Our Choose Funds are fastidiously chosen to make sure these types are adequately represented, leveraging the experience of one of the best fund managers. Underneath our 5-Finger Framework, the fairness portfolio is evenly distributed, with 20% allotted to every fashion.
To keep up this stability, the portfolio is rebalanced yearly if any particular person fund’s allocation deviates past ±5% (i.e., falls under 15% or exceeds 25%). This disciplined method ensures the portfolio stays diversified and effectively positioned to navigate completely different market environments.

The efficiency of any technique is pretty much as good as its underlying funds. You’ll be able to put money into one or two funds beneath every fashion. However you will need to decide the correct funds beneath every fashion. You’ll be able to discuss with our FundsIndia SELECT Funds record the place we determine good funds and skilled fund managers to play the actual types.
What’s the logic?
- Excessive chance of particular person types outperforming over the long run.
- Completely different cycles of outperformance and underperformance be certain that when some types lag, others excel, making general portfolio efficiency constant.
- Helps you keep invested in underperforming funds, as robust general portfolio returns present confidence and conviction.
We launched the technique in January 2020 after conducting intensive back-testing from January 2010, which delivered spectacular outcomes. Since then, we have now tracked the technique’s precise efficiency over the previous 5 years.
How did the technique carry out since its launch during the last 5 years?
Superior Efficiency: 22% every year vs 19% every year benchmark returns -> 3% outperformance

5 Finger Technique multiplied your cash 2.7 instances over 5 years (vs 2.3 instances for the benchmark)


Was the efficiency constant?
The outperformance is just not attributable to a single distinctive 12 months however has been constantly robust throughout a number of years

And even for longer time frames i.e. throughout all of the 5-year intervals since 2010 this framework has labored effectively constantly
- Common 5Y Rolling Returns at 18% vs Nifty 500 TRI at 13%

- 5 Finger Framework has outperformed Nifty 500 TRI, 100% of the instances on a 5 12 months rolling return foundation!

- 62% of the instances the 5 Finger Framework has outperformed Nifty 500 TRI by greater than 3% every year over 5 12 months time frames

- 91% of the instances the 5 finger technique has delivered >12% returns over 5Y time frames

Did the diversification throughout types work?
Low overlap throughout funds…

Led to completely different types out/underperforming at completely different time intervals – serving to in a extra constant efficiency at an general portfolio stage.

What about danger?
Majority of the time, 5 finger technique fell decrease than Nifty 500 & Nifty 50…
The 5 Finger portfolio had a Draw back Seize Ratio of 62% in opposition to the Nifty 500 for the final 5 years i.e. it roughly captured solely 62% of the falls suffered by the broader market. A ratio lower than 100% signifies robust danger administration potential of the portfolio.
As seen from the intra-year declines (most falls confronted by the broader market inside a 12 months), the portfolio utilizing the 5 Finger framework has usually fallen lower than the benchmarks. Besides for two out of the final 15 calendar years (2016 & 2022), the intra-year declines for five Finger technique was decrease than Nifty 50 TRI.

We will additionally see that this method has been resilient throughout the main market declines previously 10+ years leading to low falls.

Had been there modifications within the funds?
There was only one change within the final 5 years and this was made final 12 months in 2024.
For the standard fashion, we transitioned from the Axis Centered 25 Fund on account of a dilution in its funding fashion. Apparently, as an alternative of following the everyday method of switching from an underperformer to a prime performer, we selected one other high quality fund which was additionally underperforming on the time.
This determination was according to our portfolio design philosophy, which acknowledges that every one funding types expertise intervals of underperformance. Among the many high quality funds accessible, we chosen one whose underperformance carefully aligned with the traits of the standard fashion and related indices.
This new fund has additionally carried out effectively over the previous six months, as the standard cycle reveals early indicators of restoration.
Summing it up

We additionally launched one other model of the 5 Finger Technique with solely India publicity the place we have now changed International fashion with Momentum fashion. This technique has additionally completed effectively in keeping with our expectation (CY24 Returns: 23% for five Finger Home vs 16% for Nifty 500 TRI)
Our Learnings
- Each funding fashion experiences phases of underperformance and outperformance. By combining these types, the 5 Finger Framework has confirmed to be an efficient behavioral answer, serving to traders stick to the general technique and stay invested, even in periods of underperformance inside particular types.
- This technique can be tax-efficient on account of minimal portfolio churn—we have now made just one fund change, prompted by a change within the fund administration crew that diluted its funding fashion.
- Completely different funding types excel in various market circumstances. By mixing these types throughout the 5 Finger Framework, intervals of underperformance in one fashion have been offset by outperformance in others. This method has delivered constant efficiency with lesser declines in comparison with benchmark indices.
Is 5 Finger technique best for you?
The 5 Finger method is finest fitted to affected person traders with a long-term horizon of at the least 5 to 7 years. Some funding types might expertise relative underperformance for prolonged intervals, however staying invested regardless of that is essential to totally profit from diversification, because it’s inconceivable to foretell when types go out and in of favor.
Please keep in mind that at any time limit, one or two types might lag, however these underperforming types rotate over time, making a balanced and resilient portfolio.
As at all times, pleased investing!
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