Franklin India Taxshield delivers by not losing ground when the market tanks.

If one looks at the returns over the past decade, it has been known to underperform the category average in good markets. On the flip side, it has fallen much below the category average during bear phases.

But, by and large, it is a steady performer. Its below-average performance is never abysmal and it manages to hold its own in a market carnage (see table below).

The portfolio is well diversified with around 60 stocks, the top 10 cornering around 38% of the portfolio with banks dominating (HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, IndusInd Bank, Yes Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank). Currently the portfolio reveals a heavy bent towards large caps.

According to our fund analyst, fund manager Anand Radhakrishnan typically selects companies with robust business models, sustainable competitive strengths, and high corporate governance standards. Since the stocks meeting his criteria need not be cheap, Radhakrishnan will pay what he thinks is fair and has shown this in small/mid-caps, where he has displayed a willingness to pay more for incremental growth.

An astute stock picker, he tends to go against the tide. This may get reflected during periods when the market is galloping ahead and his returns are more subdued. But in the long run, his investors are a happy lot.

• Fund Manager: Anand Radhakrishnan
• Fund Category: Equity Linked Savings Scheme (equity tax planning)
• Portfolio: Large-cap with a bias for growth stocks
• Investment Process: A research-driven investment approach with a focus on reasonably valued quality stocks.