• Invest
    Investment Suite
    Stocks
    Mutual Funds
    Future and Options
    IPO
    Exchange Traded Funds
    Commodity
    Stockcase (Stock Baskets)
    Currency
    Non Convertible Debentures
    Sovereign Gold Bond
    Exclusive
    NRI Account
    Private Client Group
    Features
    SipIt
    MTF
    Investment Suite
    Exclusive
    Features
  • Platform
    Product Suite
    Kotak Neo App & Web
    Nest Trading Terminal
    NEO Trade APIs
    Features and Tools
    MTF
    Securities Accepted as Collateral
    Margin Requirements
    Equity Screeners
    Payoff Analyzer
    Calculators
    SIP Calculator
    Lumpsum Calculator
    Brokerage Calculator
    Margin Calculator
    MTF Calculator
    SWP Calculator
    CAGR Calculator
    Simple Interest Calculator
    ELSS Calculator
    Step up SIP Calculator
    All Calculators
    Product Suite
    Features and Tools
    Calculators
  • Pricing
  • Research
    Research Calls
    Long Term calls
    Short Term calls
    Intraday calls
    Derivatives calls
    Pick of the week
    Top Monthly Picks
    Research Reports
    Fundamental Research Report
    Technical Research Report
    Derivative Research Report
    Research Calls
    Research Reports
  • Market
    Stocks
    Market Movers
    Large Cap
    Mid Cap
    Small Cap
    Indices
    Nifty 50
    Bank Nifty
    FinNifty
    Nifty Midcap India
    VIX
    All Indian Indices
    Mutual Funds
    SBI Mutual Funds
    HDFC Mutual Funds
    Axis Mutual Funds
    ICICI Prudential Mutual Funds
    Nippon India Mutual Funds
    All AMC's
    IPO
    Upcoming IPO
    Current IPO
    Closed IPO
    Recently Listed IPO
    Stocks
    Indices
    Mutual Funds
    IPO
  • Learn
    Resource
    Market Ready
    Kotak Insights
    Infographic
    Podcast
    Webinars
    Youtube Channel
    Quarterly Results
    Investing Guide
    Demat Account
    Trading Account
    Share Market
    Intraday Trading
    IPO
    Mutual Funds
    Commodities
    Currency
    Futures & Options
    Derivatives
    Margin Trading
    Events
    Budget 2024
    Muhurat Trading
    Share Market Holiday
    Market Outlook 2025
    Resource
    Investing Guide
    Events
  • Partner
    Business Associates
    Fund Expert
    Kotak Connect Plus
    Startup connect
  • Support
    FAQs
    Circulars
    Bulletins
    Contact Us
    Forms Download
    Get your Statement

Demystifying Mutual Fund Benchmarks and Indexing

  •  3 min read
  • 0
  • 03 Jan 2024
Demystifying Mutual Fund Benchmarks and Indexing

A benchmark is a yardstick allowing investors to evaluate a mutual fund's performance relative to a specific market index. It provides a standard for measuring how well a fund has performed compared to the broader market. Typical benchmarks include BSE Sensex, Nifty 50 etc.

There are several types of mutual fund benchmarks. Some of the common ones are:

1. Broad Market Indices

These benchmarks represent the overall market performance. Examples of broad market benchmarks include Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex.

2. Sector-specific Indices

Some benchmarks focus on specific sectors or industries —examples of sector-specific indices Nifty Pharma, Nifty Metal, Bank Nifty, etc.

3. Global Indices

Investors interested in global or regional exposure may refer to benchmarks like the MSCI World Index for global equity performance or the FTSE Europe Index for European market performance.

Mutual fund benchmarks are like scorecards for investors. They help you determine how well your mutual fund is doing compared to similar investments. Imagine you're playing a game, and the benchmark is the average score everyone else is getting.

Here's why they're essential:

1. Measuring Performance

Benchmarks show you how your mutual fund is performing against a standard. If your fund does better than the benchmark, it's like scoring higher in the game. If it lags, you might want to rethink your strategy.

2. Setting Expectations

They give you an idea of what to expect. If the benchmark is doing well, you'd hope your fund is, too. It helps manage your expectations and understand if your fund is on the right track.

3. Comparing Funds

With so many mutual funds, it's hard to know which is the best. Benchmarks level the playing field. They make it easier to compare similar funds across different categories.

4. Aids in Decision-making

Benchmarks can be a useful tool when deciding where to invest your money. It might be a good choice if a fund consistently beats its benchmark. If not, consider exploring other options.

Measuring a mutual fund's performance against its benchmark involves a few steps. These involve:-

1. Identify the Benchmark

Know which benchmark your mutual fund is compared to. This information is usually available in the fund's documentation or on financial websites.

2. Look at Returns

Compare the fund's returns to the benchmark over the same time period. Returns show how much money your investment has made or lost. If your fund has a higher return than the benchmark, it's doing well.

3. Consider Risk

Understand the level of risk the mutual fund takes compared to the benchmark. Some funds take more risks to achieve higher returns, so assessing whether the risk aligns with your tolerance is crucial.

4. Use Performance Metrics

Utilize performance metrics like the Sharpe ratio, which considers risk-adjusted returns. A higher Sharpe ratio shows better risk-adjusted performance.

5. Consider Market Conditions

Understand the broader market conditions during the evaluation period. Sometimes, external factors can influence both the fund and the benchmark.

Summing it Up

Mutual fund benchmarks are like scorecards for investors. They help you figure out how well your mutual fund is doing. They help you understand if your mutual fund is acing the game or needs some extra practice.

FAQs on Demystifying Mutual Fund Benchmarks and Indexing

It indicates how much your investment should have earned, allowing you to compare it against the actual earnings. Ideally, a mutual Fund should aim to match its benchmark return. Fund houses typically determine the benchmark index for a specific investment.

You should factor in the fund's alpha and beta ratios to get a more accurate measure. The beta ratio indicates how risky it is to invest in a fund, while alpha gauges the returns the fund generates compared to the benchmark. Relative volatility is denoted by beta, and it is calculated based on the fund's past performance.

Yes, a mutual fund can change its benchmark. The fund house takes the call if there's a change in the fund's objectives and underlying securities, among others.

Did you enjoy this article?

0 people liked this article.

What could we have done to make this article better?

Enjoy Free Demat Account Opening
+91 -

personImage
Enjoy Free Demat Account Opening
+91 -

N
N
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]
[object Object]