When you have a holding period that is less than 3 years, your options are limited. Because this short period gives very little room for risk, pure equity is out of the question. But in debt funds, though returns may be reasonable, taxation for a less than 3-year period cuts into return.
Equity savings funds fit this gap. Being equity-oriented, their tax treatment is more favourable than debt funds. And since equity savings funds hedge the better part of their equity exposure, the risk level is well within limits for short-term periods of 1 to 3 years.
But in this category, it is important to understand what the fund has a clear strategy, is consistently following it and whether it is doing its job of containing volatility and downsides well (given that it is meant for short term holding). In this regard, our pick is Kotak Equity Savings, which is also part of Prime Funds. Here’s why, and how to use the fund for your goals.
#1 Stability in returns
In the equity savings category, two aspects are important given the short-term nature of the holding period. One, limiting the extent of losses and two, keeping volatility under control.
The equity exposure of equity savings funds, however small, opens them up to losses during market corrections. The average minimum 1-year return that funds in this category delivered in the past 5 years was actually a loss of 10.9%. On a 1-month basis, the loss was higher at 15.5%. This loss was concentrated in the March-April nifty correction this year, when, even as stocks tanked, returns from arbitrage and liquid funds came under pressure as well.
On a 1-year basis, the equity savings category generated 1-year losses about 12% of the time on a rolling basis over the past 5 years. All this goes to show that equity savings have an element of risk that makes them unsuitable for any timeframe that’s less than a year. Kotak Equity Savings has fared better than category on containing losses. The fund was lossmaking 4% of the time on a 1-year rolling return basis.
Even in shorter periods such as 1 month, 3 months or 6 months, loss occurrences were lower than peers. Its 1-month losses during March-April was just below the average at about 15%. In other markets as well, the fund’s loss periods were better than peers’, and its ability to keep losses less than benchmark and peers were strong.
This downside containment has helped keep volatility in check for the fund. Going by the deviation in returns for different timeframes across a 5-year period, Kotak Equity Savings has lower volatility than almost all peers. The fund also keeps volatility in check through a comparatively conservative approach.
#2 Higher hedging than other equity savings funds
Kotak Equity Savings, by mandate, cannot hold more than 50% of its portfolio in unhedged equity. That’s more or less the norm for equity savings funds.
However, Kotak Equity Savings doesn’t utilize the higher limit much. The average unhedged equity the fund has held in the past 3 years is 30%. In some months, such as in 2019, open equity can even go below 25%. The highest the fund has gone in the past 4 years is 45%, in May this year given the attractive market levels.
In most months, therefore, the fund’s open equity exposure stays within a 20-40% range and usually is below the average for the category. Other equity savings funds tend to be more aggressive, such as SBI Equity Savings or Axis Equity Saver, which hover close to or above 40%.
On the debt side, Kotak Equity Savings tends to be short-term in maturity profile. Apart from deposits (as margin money for derivatives), the fund holds money market instruments, short-term bonds, or short-term government paper. Over the past year, the fund has moved towards holding a chunk of its debt exposure in Kotak Money Market Fund; this fund is a high-quality, above-average performer. While there is an expense ratio component in the debt fund, some comfort comes from Kotak Money Market’s low expense ratio of 0.22%.
#3 Beats peers consistently
Despite an expense ratio that’s higher than peer average, Kotak Equity Savings scores on returns. Rolling the fund’s 1-year return over the past 3 years, its returns beat the category nearly all the time. Thanks to lower volatility, the fund’s risk-adjusted return is also above category. Current top performers, such as Mirae Asset Equity Savings or Principal Equity Savings, are more aggressive and more volatile. The closest comparable in terms of aggression is ICICI Pru Equity Savings, but this fund is less consistent than Kotak Equity Savings.
Considering a longer 2-year return over a 5-year period, Kotak Equity Savings’ average 8.07% return is well above the category’s 7.04% average. Given that equity savings funds are meant for the short term, debt fund returns can be compared.
On this count, debt funds delivered slightly better. Short-term funds, which also work for a 2-year timeframe delivered about 8.3% on an average in the same 5-year period. Ultra-short duration funds clocked in a 7.9% average return.
However, on a post-tax basis, returns for Kotak Equity Savings will be a step higher as equity is low tax compared to short-term debt taxation. Assuming the highest 30% tax bracket for debt funds and a 10% tax for equity, the post-tax 2 year return changes to 7.2% for Kotak Equity Savings and 5.9% for debt funds.
While Kotak Equity Savings beats peers in both the regular and the direct version, it is preferable that you go for the direct plan. Return potential is typically lower in equity savings funds, and the in general has a higher expense ratio. The current direct expense ratio, at 1.24% in the direct plan is much lower than the 2.2% in the regular plan.
Fund suitability and portfolio role
Kotak Equity Savings can be used by any investor with a timeframe of 1 to 3 years. It is especially useful for those in the higher tax-brackets, since it is a more tax-efficient option.
Conservative investors and those in the low tax brackets need to have lower allocations to this fund and higher allocations towards pure debt funds. High-risk investors can take higher allocations. The fund does not suit time-frames of less than 1 year.
This fund needs to be necessarily mixed along with pure debt funds and shouldn’t form the entirety of a portfolio for a short-term goal. As seen earlier this year, very steep equity market falls can wipe out a big part of the fund’s gains. If markets don’t recover fast enough, it will impact overall return and very high allocations can do more harm than help.
While it can be tempting to use this fund for long-term portfolios, it’s best avoided. Debt funds may be able to generate similar if not higher return and the tax advantage significantly reduces once the 3-year period is crossed. The equity exposure, unlike balanced advantage funds, is not high enough to generate better returns.
Also Read : A low risk mutual funds option
21 thoughts on “PrimeInvestor Recommendation: A low-risk, low-tax option for short-term holdings”
Hello Bhavana, I was reading this article again after few months as I want to invest some extra funds for 4-5 years. My pure debt and equity fund allocation is complete. I want to invest in a fund where the returns will be higher than Bank and Debt fund returns, but with lesser volatility of equity fund. Kindly let me know if Equity saving fund fits this bill.
It has been about 10 months since the article, between the Kotak equity savings fund and Axis Equity Saving fund which is preferred fund? I am in a bit of delima as both have BUY rating, Axis has 4.5 stars compared to 5 stars to Kotak.
I would appreciate your thoughts on it.
Thanks
Kotak Equity Savings is still in our recommended list of funds. You can invest in it. – thanks, Bhavana
Good content!. I had a question – can this fund be used for lumpsum investments when markets are elevated? Maybe look at transfer out to equity funds when there is a correction – if my expectation is that markets will correct in next 6-12 months. What are other strategies for lumpsum investments at current equity valuations? I am also considering DSP Dynamic Asset Allocation with a similar objective. If there is a link for lumpsum investment strategies – please share that as well.
You can use it for lumpsum investments. Market levels are not a huge concern in this category because they work to reduce equity risk (ie reduce equity when markets are high) and this fund in particular is more conservative. But please note, as explained in the article, you cannot have a horizon of less than a year. If markets were to correct sharply – as it did in 2020, for instance – even small equity exposure can really hurt. It is even more so with balanced advantage funds. If you are looking for funds where you can hold money to deploy when markets correct, whether it happens in 1 month, 6 months or 12, liquid funds are the best option. Any other category will come with volatility and some risk. – Thanks, Bhavana
Nice article.
Hello,
Thank you for this article. Love reading your analysis and articles.
Do you have any article or portfolio which discusses investment strategy for someone who has surplus 20-50 lacks to invest?
Thanks in advance
We have portfolio suiting your need. Please check our Prime portfolios. You may also want to read this for borad principles: https://staging.primeinvestor.in/how-to-invest-for-the-long-term-5-principles-to-keep-in-mind/ thanks, Vidya
This is my portfolio and your view
1.Axis bluechip fund
2.Axis midcap fund
3.Axis global equity alpha fund (sip)
4.Motilal oswal nasdaq 100 fof
5.Parag parikh long term equity fund
6.Nippon india multi asset fund and all are direct.
Thank you
Please use our MF review tool to check our calls on your funds. https://staging.primeinvestor.in/portfolio-review/ Vidya
Maam
Firstly thanks for a wonderfully explained article. How does this fund compare with DSP dynamic asset allocation fund? In terms of returns and risk management ? It would be helpful if you could provide an example comparison (returns, tax) of this fund Vs a debt fund for a 5 year horizon to understand if there is a value in considering these class of funds over pure debt funds
Dynamic asset allocation are higher risk options. You can read about this category here: https://staging.primeinvestor.in/all-about-balanced-advantage-funds/
thanks
Vidya
Thanks for Sharing! So the long term taxation of this fund is similar to Equity, which if over 1 year will be considered long term and subjected to 10% tax on anything over 1 lakh of capital gains?
Hello sir,
Yes, that’s right. Derivative exposure counts as equity for tax purposes. So equity savings funds will be taxed like equity funds.
Thanks,
Bhavana
Very good article. What is the difference between Balanced Advantage fund and Equity Savings fund then? Both have equity, debt, hedge. Is the difference mainly % of each asset class?
Hello sir,
Yes. Balanced advantage can be more aggressive in open equity, going up to 60-70% in some cases. Equity savings funds also need to necessarily mention the derivative exposure they will take in their SID. This is not necessary for balanced advantage funds. They are therefore more volatile comparatively and can fall more (and rise more).
Thanks,
Bhavana
Thank you for talking about and introducing us to these hidden categories and opportunities that dont generally get featured in the mainstream financial media.
Thanks, sir!
Regards,
Bhavana
Well analysed.
ThanksMadam.
Thanks, sir!
Regards,
Bhavana
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