GEMGAZE

May 2013

Index Funds today are a source of investment for investors looking at a long term, less risky form of investment. The success of index funds depends on their low volatility and therefore the choice of the index.

The five sparkling GEMs among the index funds in India in 2012 have retained their preeminent status in 2013 also, with HDFC Sensex Plus Index Fund being the latest entrant.

Goldman Sachs Nifty BeES Gem

Launched in December 2001, the fund has an AUM of Rs 482.21 crore. Large caps rule the roost with 98% of the portfolio in large cap stocks. 99.8% of the assets are in equities. 59.31% of the assets are in the top three sectors, finance, energy, and technology. The one-year return of the fund is 22.76%, slightly ahead of the category average of 20.28%. The returns of the fund are benchmarked against the CNX Nifty Index.

ICICI Prudential Index Fund Gem 

The AUM of ICICI Prudential Index Fund, launched in February 2002, has been hovering around Rs 96.5 crore during the past couple of years. Large caps constitute 98% of the portfolio, with 99% of the assets in equity. The top three sectors, finance, energy, and FMCG account for 54.45% of the portfolio. The one-year return of the fund is 22.36%, slightly above the category average of 20.28%. The returns of the fund are benchmarked against the CNX Nifty.

Can Robeco Nifty Index Fund Gem 

The AUM of Can Robeco Nifty Index Fund, launched in October 2004, is a paltry Rs 4.29 crores. Large caps constitute 98% of the portfolio. The top three sectors, finance, energy, and technology account for 60.51% of the portfolio. The one-year return of the fund is 22.53%, as against the category average of 20.28%. The returns of the fund are benchmarked against the CNX Nifty.

Franklin India Index Fund Gem

The AUM of Franklin India Index Fund, launched in July 2000, is Rs 297.27 crores. Large caps constitute 98% of the portfolio, with 99% of the assets in equity. The top three sectors, finance, energy, and FMCG account for 58.57% of the portfolio. The one-year return of the fund is 22.86%, as against the category average of 20.28%. The returns of the fund are benchmarked against the CNX Nifty.

Principal Index Fund Gem

Launched in June 1999, the AUM of Franklin India Index Fund is Rs. 21.11 crores. Large caps constitute 98% of the portfolio, with 99% of the assets in equity. The top three sectors, finance, energy, and FMCG account for 59.79% of the portfolio. The one-year return of the fund is 22.94%, as against the category average of 20.28%. The returns of the fund are benchmarked against the CNX Nifty.

HDFC Index Sensex Plus Fund Gem

Launched in July 2002, HDFC Index Sensex Plus Fund sports an AUM of Rs 81.02 crore. This fund has always had a large-cap tilt with over 85% allocation to large-cap stocks considering 80-90% allotment to the Sensex companies, though not necessarily in proportion to the Sensex weightage. Since inception, around 37 non-Sensex stocks have been part of its portfolio. This fund throws no surprises and plays safe. The performance rarely strays from that of the Sensex, with sound downside protection that pays off in the long-run. The one-year return of the fund is 21.63% as against the category average of 20.28%. The top three sectors of the fund are finance, FMCG, and energy. 58.38% of the assets are in the top three sectors. The fund is benchmarked against the S & P BSE Sensex.

Birla Index Fund

Launched in September 2002, the AUM of Birla Index Fund is Rs 26.91 crores. Large caps constitute 98% of the portfolio, with 95% of the assets in equity. The top three sectors, finance, energy, and FMCG account for 53.05% of the portfolio. The one-year return of the fund is 22.2%, as against the category average of 20.28%. The returns of the fund are benchmarked against CNX Nifty.

UTI Nifty Index Fund

The AUM of UTI Nifty Index Fund is Rs 169.85 crores. This open-ended passive fund was created by merging UTI Sunder and UTI Master Index fund on March 14, 2012. Large caps constitute 98% of the portfolio, with 99% of the assets in equity. The top three sectors, finance, energy, and FMCG account for 59.99% of the portfolio. The one-year return of the fund is 23.35%, as against the category average of 20.28%. The returns of the fund are benchmarked against CNX Nifty.

Tata Index Nifty Fund

Launched in February 2003, the AUM of Tata Index Nifty Fund is Rs 6.41 crores. Large caps constitute 98% of the portfolio, with 99% of the assets in equity. The top three sectors, finance, energy, and FMCG account for 60.07% of the portfolio. The one-year return of the fund is 23.07 as against the category average of 20.28%. The returns of the fund are benchmarked against CNX Nifty.

SBI Magnum Index Fund

The AUM of SBI Magnum Index Fund, launched in January 2002, is Rs 46.87 crores. Large caps constitute 98% of the portfolio, with 97% of the assets in equity. The top three sectors, finance, energy, and FMCG account for 57.27% of the portfolio. The one-year return of the fund is 23.06% as against the category average of 20.28%. The returns of the fund are benchmarked against CNX Nifty.