The fund aims to invest primarily in companies with high growth opportunities in the middle and small capitilisation segment, called 'future leaders'. These companies have been defined as those which have a market capitalisation below that of the 99th stock in the BSE 500 Index and which may or may not be a constituent of the index. The universe also includes IPOs conforming to the criteria.

Further, the fund takes cash calls only under special circumstances.

Performance

After three consecutive years of indifferent performance, the fund witnessed a turnaround in 2010. It has consistently been a part of the top-2 quartile since then, including a turbulent 2011. Moreover, it also marched ahead of the category average by over 10 per cent in 2012.

The small cap bets that have worked for the fund include Lupin, Federal Bank and South Indian Bank. But there have been more misses than hits in the small cap category. Though when it comes to mid caps most of the fund's convictions have been proved right. Castrol India, Oriental Bank of Commerce and Union Bank of India are some of the stocks in this space that have brought money for the fund.

Previously, its investments in a single mid or small cap stock used to go as high as 13 per cent but in the last 3 years it has been capped at 7 per cent.

The fund in recent years has been upbeat on construction, engineering, financial and services sector which account for over 50 per cent of the portfolio.

Why invest?

Its turnaround makes it a compelling pick despite being a small fund with less than R50 crore assets. It offers a blend of opportunity with a focus on profitable bets in each segment.

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