When Scheme Variations Are Erased : Mutual Fund Critic

SEBI’s resolution to create clearly outlined scheme classes (and to restrict fund homes to at least one scheme per class) was an enormous step in the direction of empowering buyers to make higher scheme decisions.  It’s been a yr since that got here into impact and for essentially the most half, it’s been a hit.  Sadly, some funds homes have discovered (or are discovering) methods to wipe out the variations between schemes throughout totally different classes.  Whereas there’s a want for SEBI to step in, buyers additionally must be vigilant, else we might find yourself holding a scheme that’s fairly totally different from what we anticipated it to be. 

On this publish, I need to share just a few examples of the number of methods wherein fund homes have tried to blur the variations between schemes in numerous classes.  I’ve introduced these within the type of a brief quiz.  There’s a hyperlink to the solutions on the finish of the publish.

Q1: Misleading Descriptions

Given under are the descriptions of two open-end fairness funds managed by a sure fund home.  These descriptions have been taken from the fund home web site.  One of many schemes is assessed as a ‘Mid Cap’ fund.  Based mostly on these descriptions, are you able to determine which one in every of these is the true ‘Mid Cap’ fund?

Fund A:

An open ended fairness scheme predominately investing in mid cap shares

Fund B:

…is primarily a Mid-cap fund which provides buyers the chance to take part within the development story of right this moment’s comparatively medium sized however rising corporations which have the potential to be well-established tomorrow.

Q2: Misleading Promoting

Given under are masked banner advertisements for 2 fairness schemes managed by a single fund home.  Certainly one of these schemes is assessed as a ‘Centered’ fund, whereas the opposite is assessed as a ‘Multi Cap’ fund.  Should you had been in a position to learn the detailed descriptions (that are in smaller print), you might need been in a position to know which advert is for which scheme.  However since these are web site advertisements, which many can have seen (or will see) on cellular gadgets, the headlines turn into all of the extra essential.  Based mostly on the headlines, are you able to determine which of those is the precise ‘Centered’ fund?

Fund C:

Fund D:

Q3: Misleading Allocations

Going by SEBI’s definition, within the so-called ‘Balanced Benefit’ funds, the fairness/ debt allocation is required to be managed “dynamically”.  Whereas some might think about that time period to be all-encompassing, from what I’ve gathered, the aim of getting this class is to group these funds the place the fairness/ debt combine will likely be determined by means of a strategy of tactical asset allocation.  Because it occurs, no less than one fund home both has an awfully restrictive interpretation of what ‘dynamic’ means or has chosen to not make tactical calls.  The fairness allocation of its ‘Balanced Benefit’ fund has remained in a remarkably slim band and has had little resemblance to that of some other ‘Balanced Benefit’ fund.  However it has had greater than a passing resemblance to the fairness allocation of the ‘Aggressive Hybrid’ fund managed by the identical fund home.  Given under is the unhedged fairness allocation for the final 12 months for the 2 schemes.  Based mostly on this info, are you able to determine which of those is the ‘Aggressive Hybrid’ fund and which is the ‘Balanced Benefit’ fund?

This fall: Misleading Danger Profile

‘Credit score Danger’ Funds are required to have no less than 65% of their portfolio in securities which might be rated AA or decrease.  It’s typically anticipated that these funds will carry the next credit score threat than some other class of debt funds.  Given under is the most recent ranking profile, yield, and maturity of the portfolios of three debt funds, managed by a single fund home.  Based mostly on this info, are you able to determine which of those is the ‘Credit score Danger’ fund?