Year 2005 was a year of bounty for the equity fund investors. And this year is proving to be even better. Equity markets have surged in the first few months, taking the reward for fund investors even higher.
An average diversified equity fund gained 21.04% in the first quarter of 2006 (January to March). The Sensex gained less at 20.03% during this time period. Of the 145 funds, 84 have managed to beat the Sensex.
Tax planning funds managed a 19.12% return, lower than the Sensex gain of 20.03%.
Here we list the best and worst funds this year.
- The data is as on March 31, 2006.
- The returns are stated in percentage terms.
- We rank mutual funds according to stars (one being the lowest and five being the highest). This rating takes into account risk and returns. New funds are not rated.
Diversified equity funds
These are funds that invest in stocks of various companies in various sectors.
Average return of the first quarter: 21.04%
Average one-year return: 75.84%
|
|
Q1 return |
1-year return |
Rating |
|
The best | |||
|
Sundaram CAPEX Opportunities-D |
34.34 |
- |
Not rated |
|
Tata Infrastructure |
33.84 |
89.17 |
Not rated |
|
Tata Select Equity |
33.81 |
91.37 |
3 stars |
|
The worst | |||
|
ABN AMRO Dividend Yield |
6.59 |
- |
Not rated |
|
Chola Opportunities |
6.28 |
41.97 |
Not rated |
|
UTI India Advantage Equity |
5.29 |
41.46 |
Not rated |
Tax planning equity funds
These are diversified equity mutual funds that offer a tax benefit under Section 80C. They are known as Equity Linked Saving Schemes.
Average return of the first quarter: 19.12%
Average one-year return: 75.76%
|
|
Q1 return |
1-year return |
Rating |
|
The best | |||
|
Principal Tax Savings |
28.61 |
85.43 |
3 stars |
|
Principal Personal Tax Saver |
25.51 |
63.76 |
3 stars |
|
Birla Sun Life Tax Relief '96 |
24.70 |
82.36 |
3 stars |
|
The worst | |||
|
UTI Equity Tax Savings |
14.13 |
66.52 |
3 stars |
|
BoB ELSS '96 |
11.09 |
53.73 |
2 stars |
|
Libra Taxshield '96 |
-1.64 |
41.74 |
1 star |
Sector Funds
These are funds that invest in stocks of a particular sector unlike a diversified equity fund that invests in various sectors.
|
|
Q1 return |
1-year return |
Rating |
|
The best | |||
|
Reliance Div Power Sector |
30.93 |
110.18 |
Not rated |
|
Franklin FMCG |
23.21 |
88.84 |
Not rated |
|
Reliance Media & Entertainment |
22.03 |
83.45 |
Not rated |
|
The worst | |||
|
Kotak Tech |
5.35 |
42.55 |
Not rated |
|
UTI Banking Sector |
1.52 |
25.90 |
Not rated |
|
Reliance Banking |
-0.06 |
24.47 |
Not rated |
Balanced Funds
These are funds that invest in equity (shares of various companies in various sectors) and debt (fixed return investments).
Average return of the first quarter: 16.24%
Average one-year return: 52.75%
|
|
Q1 return |
1-year return |
Rating |
|
The best | |||
|
Canbalance II |
26.78 |
84.06 |
4 stars |
|
Kotak Balance |
23.29 |
67.90 |
4 stars |
|
Tata Balanced |
22.55 |
53.39 |
3 stars |
|
The worst | |||
|
HDFC Prudence |
11.75 |
60.89 |
5 stars |
|
FT India Life Stage FoF 30s |
11.34 |
38.74 |
Not rated |
|
HDFC Children's Gift-Inv |
8.79 |
40.91 |
3 stars |