Should Nifty 50 be your only choice to play passive? What if a smarter fund can return better than the Nifty 50 or the Nifty 100, but:
- is not an active equity fund
- does not need you to take higher risk
- gives your portfolio some diversification
Yes. And these are quant or factor-based indices. While the Indian market is only just evolving to build smarter indices than the main market-cap based indices, there are already a few good options to be had.
A good index that ticks all the points above is the Nifty 100 Low Volatility 30. Constructed based on a stock’s price volatility, the index is a better performer than the parent Nifty 100. The low volatility is the key factor that helps push returns over the long term.
The year so far has seen a precipitous fall and very rapid rally. But there are concerns aplenty on corporate profitability and the economic scenario, not to mention the global risk scenario which could see more volatility ahead. In such a situation, a low volatility index can help equity participation but with more moderate risk.
The route to the Nifty 100 Low Volatility 30 is via ETFs. For this index, we recommend ICICI Prudential Nifty Low Vol 30. This ETF forms part of our Prime ETF recommended list and features in our passive portfolio in Prime Portfolios.
Built to contain volatility
The Nifty 100 Low Volatility 30 (Nifty Low Vol) draws from the Nifty 100, making it a large-cap index. The index is built using the volatility factor.
- Volatility is measured by the deviation in daily price movements for the preceding 1 year. Stocks are scored and ranked based on this volatility.
- The least 30 volatile stocks make the index. The weight of each stock to the index is based on its volatility score and not its market capitalisation.
- Weights to stocks are capped to 3% for some stocks which have lower average turnovers. Weights to other stocks are distributed proportional to their volatility score.
How does building a portfolio based on these weights help?
- For one thing, the weights to stocks are far more distributed in the Nifty Low Vol, as it does not use market capitalisation as the criteria. The top 5 stocks in the index have a combined weight of 23.6%.
In contrast, the Nifty 100 is based on the stock’s market cap which invariably sees stocks with large market cap dominating the index. The top 5 stocks in the index have a combined weight of 35.4%.
- Second, it locks into stocks with minimum price fluctuations. In periods of market correction, it helps keep losses lower as the stocks do not fall as much as the parent Nifty 100 index. For instance, in the year to date, the Nifty 100 has dropped 16% while the Nifty Low Vol 30 fell just 8%. This has been helped by 20 stocks delivering returns better than the Nifty. Stocks such as Cipla, Pidilite, and Britannia rose while others such as Infosys, TCS and Hero MotoCorp fell far lesser.
Consider the data below, which takes into account returns from different periods since the Nifty Low Vol’s April 2005 base date.
Clearly, the Nifty Low Vol contains downsides much better – it falls less frequently, and when it does, it falls lesser than the parent Nifty 100. In markets corrections such as 2008-09 and 2011, the index was better than the Nifty 100 by a solid 11 percentage points.
Of course, during bull markets, the Nifty Low Vol will tend to lag. However, in the long term, the lower volatility still helps sustain better returns – simply because smaller the loss, the quicker the recovery and lower the need for a big rally. That low volatile stocks tend to deliver better is a learning when it comes to the volatility experienced in Indian stocks.
Better returns over time
It is this factor that sets the Nifty Low Vol’s returns above the Nifty 100. The index’s ability to deliver higher returns than the Nifty 100 improves over the long term as the benefits of the lower fluctuations kick in.
Rolling 1-year returns since the 2005 base date has the Nifty Low Vol bettering the Nifty 100 65% of the time. This may not appear compelling. But stretch the period to 3 years and the index beats the Nifty 100 89% of the time. Push even longer to 5 and 7 years, and the Low Vol delivers returns higher than the Nifty 100 all the time. the margin by which it does so averages to 3.8 percentage points. Since the returns of the Nifty 100 and the Nifty 50 are very similar, the Nifty Low Vol beats the Nifty 50 too.
The Nifty Low Vol’s return deviation comes in far lower than the Nifty 100 or the Nifty 50. This lower deviation results in a better Sharpe score, which measures risk-adjusted returns. The index also has a far better Sortino ratio, which measures downside volatility.
In a nutshell, if you are looking for returns to just beat the large-cap indices, you don’t have to necessarily go for the extreme choices of midcaps or aggressive indices like the Nifty Next 50.This index will do that job and is therefore a mid-option between large-cap and aggressive indices.
How to invest
There are no index funds that currently have the Nifty Low Vol as the underlying. You can invest in this index only through the ETF route – ICICI Prudential Nifty Low Vol 30. You will need a demat and trading account in order to invest in the index.
An important metric to consider in ETFs in India is the tracking error – on this count, IPru Low Vol ETF does well and has a low tracking error. The ETF does not have very high trading volumes, given that it is a relatively unknown index and therefore sees limited interest. In the past six months, traded value has averaged about Rs 82 lakh. Trading may be erratic on some days, however; there have been days where traded values have been Rs 2-5 lakh. We’re still comfortable despite lower volumes as it has not impacted tracking error.
Besides, the ETF’s market price tracks the NAV on most occasions, barring exceptional periods such as the March 2020 lows and into April 2020. This deviation has now narrowed. This also means any inelasticity in demand-supply is not sharp enough to impact price.
Suitability of the Nifty Low Vol
The Nifty Low Vol 30 index is a good option for investors with a conservative to moderate risk appetite. The index’s ability to keep downsides and return fluctuations under control and its large-cap nature means that its overall risk level is on the lower side. Note the following points on incorporating this index in your portfolio:
- Allocate the index for long-term investment horizons of 5 years and above. This longer period is needed for the benefit of the low volatility to kick in.
- Use it as a portfolio diversifier. Given that the Nifty Low Vol is a factor-based quant index, it offers a strategy and sector diversification away from the Nifty 100 as well as active large-cap or multi-cap funds.
- Combine it with other active funds to build a balanced portfolio. Consider mid/small-cap active or passive options if you have a higher risk appetite.
- The one point you need to note in Nifty Low Vol is that it has low exposure of just 8.8% to banking & financial services as opposed to 32.5% in the parent index Nifty 100. This exposure may never match the parent as the low volatility criteria will keep the high volatile banking & financial sector exposure at bay. Hence, it still makes sense to combine this index with Nifty 50 or Nifty 100 or go for banking stocks if you are a stock picker. Or if you want to consciously avoid the financial space, then this index fits your bill.
- If you have a larger investment amount, spread it out over multiple days to account for the lower trading volumes in the ICICI Pru Low Vol ETF. Do so when you want to exit as well.
22 thoughts on “PrimeInvestor Recommendation: A passive option to beat other passive and active strategies”
hi,
I have started investing in this ETF, i want to know how the ETF does well when compared to Flexicap/ Contra funds like Kotak Flexi cap fund and Invesco contra funds. Can we replace these active funds with this ETF for long term investment. And the views about the recently released FOF for this ETF.
Thanks,
Balaji
It is a supplement and not a replacement if you go by strategy. Pelase read the last part on suitability. Vidya
Bhavana/Team – Thanks, excellent read. A few questions:
1. Any thoughts on ICICI alpha low vol 30 etf? Do you think avg. volumes are now better than icici low vol 30 etf? If yes, does it make a better investment as it offers better upside as well as lower volatility?
2. Also, in general, what ballpark volume range you would consider decent enough to invest in a etf?
Thanks.
Any thoughts, team?
We’ve responded to your comment. In future, request you to please use our contact form (https://staging.primeinvestor.in/contact-us/) to raise a ticket to receive a timely response to any query you have. On the blog comments, we may miss them or take a longer time to respond.
Thanks,
Bhavana
We’ve covered the index in general here: https://staging.primeinvestor.in/etf-nifty-alpha-low-vol-30-nfo-winning-index/. We do not yet have a view on investing in the ETF. We do not have enough history to judge tracking error; volumes are not the only key factor to watch for. It’s hard to find ETFs with average daily trading values of over Rs 1 crore…so our cut-offs can go as low as Rs 20 lakh if it scores well on tracking error. But we generally look for trading volumes higher than this.
Thanks,
Bhavana
Hi,
Can we add LV 30 along with N-50 and NN50 ?
Will it add value ?
tks
Yes, you can. It will help counter the volatility especially in the Next 50.
Thanks,
Bhavana
Hi,
Interesting data. Can you share how this Low Vol 30 ETF has fared as compared to Nifty Next 50 Index fund over longer period such as 3 to 5 years and beyond?
Thanks
The Next 50 is by far more volatile than the Nifty 100. It rises far more, and falls more. The Low Vol is lower-volatile than the Next 50, but won’t match on rallies.
Thanks,
Bhavana
hi bhavana,
im not able to find the etf on zerodha. pls help where it is ?
regards
Anurag
Please check the NSE symbol ICICILOVOL. Otherwise please contact Zerodha. thanks, Vidya
Hello Mam ,
In the niftyindices .com website the fund fact-sheets for Nifty 100 , Nifty100 Alpha30 and Nifty100 Low-volatility30 are available . Comparing their 5 year standard deviation , the difference is not much for N100 and N100A30 ; However, its slighly lower for N100LV30 . And at 5 year total returns in descending order is Nifty100 Alpha30, Nifty100 Low-volatility30 and Nifty 100.
Kindly help me understand ,the following points :
1) Considering the standards deviation similar for N100A30 Vs N100 , And significant out performance by the former, Can we conclude to remove N100 passive funds out of large cap portfolio . Has there been scenario’s N100 outperformed based on your research data ?
2) During sudden drop periods N100 index interms of P/E , P/B , can we get overweight on N100A30 as we should benefit in next bull run .( effectively replacing any large caps funds in the portfolio )
3) In current market scenario facing high volatility , Which is better strategy between N100LV30 or Nifty 50 value20 ? ( There is no nifty 100 Value 30 framed by Niftyindices , that could have been an equivalent to other stategic indices ) .
Best Regards,
Vivekraj
Hello sir,
1. The Nifty LV 30 has to have a lower standard deviation, since it is constructed on the basis of low volatility.
2. Use the Low Vol in combination with the Nifty 100 – in strong bull markets, the Nifty 100 can outperform. Depending on the sector allocation too, it can miss out on pockets of opportunities that the Nifty 100 can provide.
3. The alpha 30 is not an investible index as yet. You have a new ETF on the Nifty’s Alpha-Low Vol index, but that has no history to check tracking error or liquidity.
4. With high volatility, the Low Vol index is a better option. The value 20 index is also not very geared towards value given its current constituents. The Value 20 is also less consistent an index compared to the LowVol.
Thanks,
Bhavana
Is this suitable only for lump sum investments ? Or can be done via SIP Route ? Tks
Hello sir,
You can invest through SIP …just that your broker should have this facility. Else, you’ll have to make sure to invest every month yourself or at the least, invest periodically.
Thanks,
Bhavana
Sorry to say that the bid-ask spread for this ETF amounts to be almost 3%. Today bid price is 85.23 & ask price is 87.75. Please let me know how to decide the price at which order to be placed?
Hello sir,
We don’t have specific recommendations on which price to invest. This is a good index to have for long term portfolios and investments can be made at multiple points. As mentioned in the article, volumes are an issue but this has not affected tracking error; please invest in tranches to mitigate effects of trading issues.
Thanks,
Bhavana
1. If you look into portfolio overlap between Nifty 50 index fund and ICICI pru Low VOL ETF is almost 45%. Too much duplication. Hope we cannot combine this with N50 index fund.
2. Is any AMCs planning to launch index fund for this quant fund. I have no interest to keep ETF in my portfolio due to operational reasons and liquidity issues.
3. How this factors are designed and maintained, Is it any human intervention or Algorithms by some machines.
Hello sir,
Not aware of any AMC that is launching or planning to launch an index fund on the Nifty Low Vol. The index is built simply using the designed methodology and is rebalanced on the same methodology.
Thanks,
Bhavana
How do Low vol ETFs compare with dynamic funds? Which are the Low vol ETFs apart from ICICI pru Low vol?
Indeed a very interesting perspective and a very good analysis of the features of this category.
Hello sir,
Thanks! And not really comparable because dynamic AA funds have debt which will automatically allow for better downside containment and lower volatility along with overall lower returns in the long term. The ETF is pure equity. Right now, there are no other ETFs that are built on Low Vol apart from IPru.
Regards,
Bhavana
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