But going forward, fresh bouts of volatility cannot be ruled out. Given the difficulties that economy is facing, it could be a while before there is broad based rally in equity markets. Thus, investors who cannot bear very high volatility, but still want to benefit by holding decent exposure in equities can look to invest in aggressive hybrid fund. These funds are capable of benefiting from high growth at relatively lower volatility.

HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund (HHEF) is one such aggressive hybrid fund that aims to generate capital appreciation by investing in a mix of equity and debt instruments.

Launched in September 2000, the fund manages one of the largest assets in the category of Rs 20,926 crore. The fund is managed by Mr Chirag Setalvad (since April 2007) who has over 20 years' of experience in fund management and equity research.

Graph 1: Growth of Rs 10,000 if invested in HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund 5 years ago

Graph 2: HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund's year-on-year performance

Table: HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund's performance vis-a-vis category peers

Returns are on a rolling basis and in %, calculated using Direct Plan - Growth option. Those depicted over 1-Yr are compounded annualised.
Data as on December 10, 2019
(Source: ACE MF)

*Please note, this table only represents the best performing funds based solely on past returns and is NOT a recommendation. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks. Read all scheme related documents carefully. Past performance is not an indicator for future returns. The percentage returns shown are only for indicative purposes.

While HHEF outperformed the category average across rolling period, it has lagged the CRISIL Hybrid 35+65 - Aggressive Index in 1-year and 2-year rolling period. However, over the longer time horizon of 3-year and 5-year, the fund managed to outpace the index.

Though HHEF is placed behind many of its peers on a 1-year and 2-year rolling return basis, it stands among the top performers on a 3-year and 5-year rolling return basis. Mirae Asset Hybrid Equity Fund, ICICI Pru Equity & Debt Fund, Canara Robeco Equity Hybrid Fund, SBI Equity Hybrid Fund and Sundaram Equity Hybrid Fund are the other top performers in the category.

In terms of risk-return profile, the fund's volatility was lower compared to most funds in the category but higher as compared to the index. Regardless, it has rewarded investors with reasonable risk-adjusted returns.

Investment strategy of HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund

Categorised as aggressive hybrid fund, HHEF has the flexibility to invest 65-80% of its assets in equity and equity related instruments and 20-35% in debt instruments. The fund has the flexibility to invest across market capitalisation.

The fund's equity strategy involves focusing on quality businesses having reasonable growth prospects, sound financial strength, and sustainable business models, available at acceptable valuations. It follows bottom up stock picking approach to select stocks across market capitalisation and aims to maintain a reasonably diversified portfolio at all times.

On the debt front, the fund has the flexibility to invest in the entire range of debt instruments. Allocation in debt instruments is based on credit quality, liquidity, interest rates and their outlook.

Graph 3: Portfolio allocation and market capitalisation trend in HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund

HHEF invests close to 30% of its assets in moderate to high rated debt instruments. The debt portfolio predominantly includes corporate debt and government securities.

Graph 4: Top portfolio holdings in HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund

Holding (in %) as on November 30, 2019
(Source: ACE MF)

As on November 30, 2019, HHEF held 54 stocks in its portfolio across various sectors. The top 10 stocks constitute around 40% of the portfolio. HDFC Bank has the highest allocation in the portfolio of 9.1%, followed by ICICI Bank, HDFC Ltd., and Infosys at 6.8%, 5.1% and 4.7% respectively. Rest of the stocks in the top 10 holding have allocation in the range of 1.5-3%

The fund has a high sectoral allocation to Banks at 21.1% with another 5.9% in Finance. It also has prominent investment in the range of 3-5% in sectors like Infotech, Engineering, and Consumption.

HHEF holds its debt allocation predominantly in Corporate Debt and G-secs. The fund's investment in Corporate Debts is around 19% along with around 8.6% in G-secs. Having an average maturity of 2.78 years and modified duration of 2.21 years, the yield-to-maturity of the debt portfolio is at 6.67%.

Top contributors

Among the stocks in the portfolio, ICICI Bank contributed the most to the fund's gain in the last one year with a weighted return of 1.7%. The fund also benefited from its holding in HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries and HDFC

On the other hand, it's holding in Aurobindo Pharma, Edelweiss Financial Services, Yes Bank, ONGC, Vedanta, Tata Steel and L&T eroded some of the gains.

Suitability of HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund

HHEF invests in a mix of equity and debt instruments which can help it take advantage of changing dynamics across asset class. While the equity portion can enable capital growth, the debt portion can work as cushion against market volatility. HHEF invests in a well-diversified portfolio across market capitalisation. Its large cap bias can provide stability while its exposure to mid and small caps can potentially generate higher returns. Though the fund has underperformed in the short term it has rewarded investors reasonably well over the long term. It is suitable for investors having moderately high risk appetite and investment horizon of 5 years or more.

Note: This write up is for information purpose and does not constitute any kind of investment advice or a recommendation to Buy / Hold / Sell a fund. Returns mentioned herein are in no way a guarantee or promise of future returns. As an investor, you need to pick the right fund to meet your financial goals. If you are not sure about your risk appetite, do consult your investment consultant/advisor. Mutual Fund Investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully.

Editor's note: The last few years have not been among the best for equity mutual funds. While most funds have underperformed or are struggling to match the returns of the benchmark, there are few funds that have the potential to constantly generate alpha for its investors. And we have identified five such high alpha generating funds, in our latest report 'The Alpha Funds Report 2020'. Do not miss our latest research finding. Get your access to this exclusive report, right here!
 

DISCLOSURE AS PER SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE BOARD OF INDIA (RESEARCH ANALYSTS) REGULATIONS, 2014

About the Company including business activity

Quantum Information Services Private Limited (QIS) was incorporated on December 19, 1989.

QIS was promoted by Mr Ajit Dayal with an objective of providing value-based information/views on news related to equity markets, the economy in general, sector analysis, budget review and various personal products and investments options available to the Public. It was the first company to start equity research on an institutional level.

'PersonalFN' is a service brand of QIS and was started in the year 1999. In 1999, the Company registered the Domain name www.personalfn.com for providing information on mutual funds and personal financial planning, financial markets in general, etc. and services related to financial planning and research in various financial instruments including mutual funds, insurance and fixed income products to customers. It offers asset allocation and researched investment recommendations through its financial planning services.

Quantum Information Services Private Limited (QIS) is registered as Investment Adviser under SEBI (Investment Adviser) Regulations, 2013 and having Registration No.: INA000000680. In terms of the second proviso to Regulation 3 (1) of SEBI (Research Analysts) Regulations, 2014 the Company is not required to obtain Certificate of registration from SEBI.

Disciplinary history

There are no outstanding litigations against the Company, its subsidiaries and its Directors.

Terms and condition on which its offer research report

For the terms and condition for research report click here.

Details of associates

1. Money Simplified Services Private Limited;

2. PersonalFN Insurance Services India Private Limited;

3. Equitymaster Agora Research Private Limited;

4. Common Sense Living Private Limited;

5. Quantum Advisors Private Limited;

6. Quantum Asset Management Company Private Limited;

7. HelpYourNGO.com India Private Limited;

8. HelpYourNGO Foundation;

9. Natural Streets for Performing Arts Foundation;

10. Primary Real Estate Advisors Private Limited;

11. HYNGO India Private Limited;

12. Rahul Goel;

13. I V Subramaniam.

Disclosure with regard to ownership and material conflicts of interest

1. ‘subject company’ is a scheme on which a buy/sell/hold view or target price is given/changed in this Research Report;

2. Neither QIS, it's Associates, Research Analyst or his/her relative have any financial interest in the subject Company; except for one of the research analyst holding units of HDFC Hybrid Equity Fund.

3. Neither QIS, it's Associates, Research Analyst or his/her relative have actual/beneficial ownership of one per cent or more securities of the subject Company, at the end of the month immediately preceding the date of publication of the research report;

4. Neither QIS, it's Associates, Research Analyst or his/her relative has any other material conflict of interest at the time of publication of the research report except that QIS (PersonalFN) is, as per SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations 1996, an associate / group Company of Quantum Asset Management Company Private Limited and Trustees and Sponsor of Quantum Mutual Fund (QMF) and to that extent there may be conflict of interest while recommending any schemes of QMF. However, any such recommendation or reference made is based on the standard evaluation and selection process, which applies uniformly for all Mutual Fund Schemes. The payment of commission (upfront / annualized & trail), if any, for any Schemes by QMF to QIS (PersonalFN) is also at arm's length and as per prevailing market practices.

Disclosure with regard to receipt of Compensation
 

1. Neither QIS nor it's Associates have received any compensation from the subject Company in the past twelve months;

2. Neither QIS nor it's Associates have managed or co-managed public offering of securities for the subject Company;

3. Neither QIS nor it's Associates have received any compensation for investment banking or merchant banking or brokerage services from the subject Company;

4. Neither QIS nor it's Associates have received any compensation for products or services other than investment banking or merchant banking or brokerage services from the subject company in the past twelve months.

5. Neither QIS nor it's Associates have received any compensation or other benefits from the subject Company or third party in connection with the research report

General disclosure

1. The Research Analyst has not served as an officer, director or employee of the subject Company.

2. QIS or the Research Analyst has not been engaged in market making activity for the subject Company.

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Subject Company means Mutual Fund Schemes

Quantum Information Services Private Limited CIN: U65990MH1989PTC054667 Regd. Office: 103, Regent Chambers, 1st Floor, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400 021 Corp. Office: 103, Regent Chambers, 1st Floor, Nariman Point, Mumbai - 400 021.

Email:info@personalfn.com Website: www.personalfn.com Tel.: 022 61361200 Fax.: 022 61361222 SEBI-registered Investment Adviser. Registration No. INA000000680, SEBI (Investment Advisers) Regulation, 2013

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