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Hybrid Funds


Investing in financial markets requires balancing risk and reward. Hybrid funds offer an effective solution by combining equity and debt instruments within a single portfolio. These funds aim to provide investors with the best of both worlds—capital appreciation from equities and stability from debt.


What is a Hybrid Fund?

A hybrid fund is a type of mutual fund that invests in a mix of asset classes, primarily equities (stocks) and debt (bonds). The objective of these funds is to balance risk and reward by diversifying investments across multiple asset categories. This strategy helps investors achieve steady returns while mitigating the risks associated with market volatility.

Hybrid mutual funds are suitable for investors seeking diversification, moderate risk exposure, and steady returns. They are designed to cater to different risk appetites, ranging from conservative to aggressive, based on the proportion of equity and debt in the fund.

Hybrid funds are an excellent choice for investors looking for a middle ground between pure equity and pure debt investments. They offer a structured approach to wealth creation while maintaining a level of safety through diversification.
 

Key Characteristics of Hybrid Funds:

  • Diversification: Hybrid funds invest in both equity and debt instruments, reducing overall portfolio risk.
  • Balanced Approach: These funds aim to provide capital appreciation through equity exposure and stability through debt investments.
  • Risk Mitigation: By investing in different asset classes, hybrid funds help in minimising the impact of market fluctuations.
  • Suitable for Various Investors: They cater to conservative, moderate, and aggressive investors based on their risk appetite.
  • Professional Management: Experienced fund managers actively manage the portfolio to optimise returns.
     

What are the Features of Hybrid Mutual Fund

Hybrid funds come with a range of unique features that make them an attractive investment option. Below are some of the key attributes:

  1. Asset Allocation Strategy

    • Hybrid funds invest in a mix of equity, debt, and sometimes other asset classes like gold or real estate.
    • The proportion of asset allocation depends on the fund category (aggressive, conservative, balanced, etc.).
    • Aims to reduce risk while ensuring potential capital appreciation.
  2. Risk-Return Trade-Off

    • Balances high-return potential from equities with the stability of debt instruments.
    • Investors can choose from various risk levels based on the hybrid fund type.
    • Helps reduce market volatility impact on investments.
  3. Investment Horizon

    • Suitable for medium to long-term investment goals.
    • Investors seeking capital growth with moderate risk can benefit.
    • Short-term hybrid funds may focus more on debt securities for stability.
  4. Tax Efficiency

    • Tax treatment varies depending on the equity-debt proportion of the fund.
    • Equity-oriented hybrid funds attract capital gains tax similar to equity funds.
    • Debt-oriented hybrid funds are taxed as per debt mutual funds.
  5. Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) Option

    • Investors can invest through SIPs to benefit from rupee cost averaging.
    • Helps in disciplined investing and reducing the impact of market volatility.
    • Suitable for both new and experienced investors.
       

Types of Hybrid Funds

Hybrid mutual funds are classified based on the proportion of equity and debt in the portfolio. Here’s an overview of different types of hybrid funds:

Type of Hybrid Fund

Equity Allocation

Debt Allocation

Risk Level

Suitable for

Aggressive Hybrid Funds

65%-80%

20%-35%

High

Investors seeking higher returns with some risk mitigation.

Balanced Hybrid Funds

40%-60%

40%-60%

Moderate

Investors looking for a balanced mix of growth and stability.

Conservative Hybrid Funds

10%-25%

75%-90%

Low

Risk-averse investors prioritising steady income.

Dynamic Asset Allocation Funds

Variable

Variable

Moderate to High

Investors preferring fund managers to decide asset allocation based on market conditions.

Multi-Asset Allocation Funds

Minimum 10% in 3 asset classes

Variable

Moderate

Investors looking for diversification across multiple asset classes.

Equity Savings Funds

65% (incl. derivatives)

10%-35%

Moderate

Investors wanting equity-like taxation with lower volatility.


1. Aggressive Hybrid Funds

  • Invest primarily in equities (65%-80%) and the rest in debt instruments.
  • Aim to provide higher returns while maintaining a level of stability.
  • Suitable for investors with a moderate to high-risk appetite.


2. Balanced Hybrid Funds

  • Maintain a balanced allocation between equities (40%-60%) and debt (40%-60%).
  • Offer a combination of capital appreciation and stability.
  • Ideal for investors looking for moderate growth with limited risk.


3. Conservative Hybrid Funds

  • Have a lower equity exposure (10%-25%) with a major portion allocated to debt instruments (75%-90%).
  • Focus on providing steady income rather than aggressive growth.
  • Suitable for risk-averse investors, such as retirees.


4. Dynamic Asset Allocation Funds

  • The fund manager actively adjusts equity and debt allocations based on market conditions.
  • Reduces exposure to equities during market downturns and increases it during uptrends.
  • Suitable for investors who prefer an actively managed approach to risk.


5. Multi-Asset Allocation Funds

  • Invest in at least three asset classes, such as equities, debt, and commodities (gold, real estate).
  • Provides broad diversification, reducing reliance on a single market.
  • Ideal for investors seeking a well-diversified portfolio.


6. Equity Savings Funds

  • Allocate at least 65% in equity (including derivatives) and 10%-35% in debt.
  • Use derivatives to hedge risk, making them less volatile than aggressive hybrid funds.
  • Offer tax benefits similar to equity funds.
     

How Does Hybrid Funds Work?

Hybrid mutual funds function by strategically investing in a mix of asset classes, such as equities and debt instruments, to balance risk and returns. Here’s how they operate:

  • Asset Allocation: Fund managers decide on an optimal mix of equity and debt, based on the fund's investment objective and prevailing market conditions.
  • Diversification: By spreading investments across different asset classes, hybrid funds reduce volatility and minimise risks compared to pure equity funds.
  • Rebalancing: Fund managers regularly adjust the portfolio composition to maintain the desired asset allocation, taking advantage of market fluctuations.
  • Risk-Return Trade-off: Equities provide growth potential, while debt instruments offer stability, ensuring a balanced investment approach.
  • Types of Hybrid Funds:
    • Equity-Oriented Hybrid Funds: Invest at least 65% in equities.
    • Debt-Oriented Hybrid Funds: Allocate a significant portion to fixed-income instruments.
    • Balanced Advantage Funds (BAF): Dynamically shift between equities and debt based on market conditions.
    • Multi-Asset Funds: Diversify across three or more asset classes.
    • Arbitrage Funds: Utilise arbitrage opportunities to generate stable returns with minimal risk.
       

Advantages of Investing in Hybrid Funds

Hybrid mutual funds offer a range of benefits that make them an attractive investment option for different types of investors. Below are the key advantages:

  1. Diversification Across Asset Classes

    • Exposure to both equity and debt reduces overall risk.
    • Minimises volatility compared to pure equity investments.
  2. Balanced Risk-Return Profile

    • Equities offer potential for high returns, while debt provides stability.
    • Suitable for investors with moderate risk tolerance.
  3. Professional Fund Management

    • Expert fund managers actively rebalance portfolios to maximise returns.
    • Ensures investments align with market conditions and investor goals.
  4. Flexibility in Asset Allocation

    • Different types of hybrid funds cater to various investor preferences.
    • Options like Balanced Advantage Funds adjust dynamically based on market movements.
  5. Regular Rebalancing

    • Helps maintain a consistent risk profile.
    • Protects investors from market downturns while capturing growth opportunities.
  6. Potential for Tax Efficiency

    • Equity-oriented hybrid funds enjoy tax benefits similar to equity funds.
    • Arbitrage funds may have lower tax liability compared to other categories.
  7. Suitable for New and Conservative Investors

    • Ideal for those transitioning from fixed deposits or savings schemes to mutual funds.
    • Lower risk than pure equity investments while offering better returns than debt funds.
       

Risks Involved in Hybrid Mutual Funds

Despite their advantages, hybrid mutual funds come with certain risks that investors should be aware of before investing. These risks include:

  1. Market Risk

    • Hybrid funds with equity exposure are subject to stock market volatility.
    • Economic downturns or global financial crises may affect performance.
  2. Interest Rate Risk

    • Debt component of hybrid funds is sensitive to interest rate fluctuations.
    • Rising interest rates may negatively impact bond prices, reducing returns.
  3. Credit Risk

    • Debt securities in the portfolio carry the risk of default by issuers.
    • Lower-rated bonds have higher credit risk, impacting fund performance.
  4. Asset Allocation Risk

    • Incorrect allocation between equity and debt may lead to suboptimal returns.
    • Dynamic allocation funds depend on the fund manager’s ability to time the market.
  5. Liquidity Risk

    • Certain hybrid funds may invest in less liquid assets, leading to redemption challenges.
    • During market downturns, fund managers may struggle to liquidate holdings without losses.
  6. Fund Manager’s Decision-Making Risk

    • Performance depends on the expertise of fund managers.
    • Poor asset allocation or misjudged market timing can negatively impact returns.
  7. Tax Implications

    • Tax treatment varies based on the fund’s equity-debt allocation.
    • Debt-oriented hybrid funds attract short-term and long-term capital gains tax.
       

Factors To Consider Before Investing in Hybrid Mutual Funds

Before investing in hybrid funds, investors should evaluate the following factors to ensure they align with their financial goals and risk tolerance:

  1. Investment Objective

    • Determine financial goals before selecting a hybrid fund.
    • Choose equity-oriented funds for growth or debt-oriented funds for stability.
  2. Risk Tolerance

    • Assess your ability to withstand market fluctuations.
    • Conservative investors may prefer balanced or debt-heavy hybrid funds.
  3. Time Horizon

    • Short-term goals align with conservative hybrid funds.
    • Long-term investors can opt for aggressive or dynamic allocation funds.
  4. Expense Ratio

    • Consider the cost of fund management, as high expense ratios can impact net returns.
    • Compare funds to choose one with optimal expense efficiency.
  5. Past Performance and Fund Manager’s Expertise

    • Analyse historical performance but do not rely solely on past returns.
    • Evaluate the track record and experience of the fund management team.
  6. Tax Implications

    • Understand the tax treatment based on equity vs debt allocation.
    • Equity-oriented hybrid funds are more tax-efficient than debt-heavy ones.
  7. Market Conditions

    • Consider prevailing economic and market conditions before investing.
    • Balanced Advantage Funds (BAF) may be suitable during volatile market phases.
  8. Fund House Reputation

    • Choose funds from reputed AMCs with a history of stable fund management.
    • Bajaj Broking offers a range of well-managed hybrid mutual fund options.
       

Taxability of Hybrid Funds 

The tax treatment of hybrid mutual funds in India depends on the proportion of equity and debt in the fund’s portfolio. Investors should be aware of the following taxation rules before investing in hybrid funds:

1. Taxation Based on Asset Allocation

The tax treatment varies depending on whether a hybrid fund is classified as an equity-oriented or debt-oriented fund:

Type of Hybrid Fund

Equity Allocation

Taxation Type

Equity-Oriented Hybrid Funds

More than 65% in equities

Taxed like equity funds

Debt-Oriented Hybrid Funds

Less than 65% in equities

Taxed like debt funds

2. Tax on Capital Gains

Capital gains taxation for hybrid funds is determined based on the holding period and asset allocation:

For Equity-Oriented Hybrid Funds:

  • Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): If redeemed within one year, gains are taxed at 15%.
  • Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): If held for more than one year, gains up to ₹1 lakh per year are tax-free. Any gains exceeding this are taxed at 10% without indexation benefits.
     

For Debt-Oriented Hybrid Funds:

  • Short-Term Capital Gains (STCG): If redeemed within three years, gains are taxed as per the investor’s income tax slab.
  • Long-Term Capital Gains (LTCG): If held for more than three years, gains are taxed at 20% with indexation benefits.
     

3. Dividend Taxation

  • Dividends received from hybrid funds are added to the investor’s taxable income and taxed as per the applicable income tax slab.
  • Earlier, dividends were tax-free in the hands of investors, but with the removal of Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT), investors now bear the tax liability.
     

Popular Hybrid Funds in India

The following table showcases five popular hybrid mutual funds in India based on their 5-year CAGR performance:

Name of the Fund

AUM (₹ Cr)

CAGR 5Y (%)

Expense Ratio (%)

Sharpe Ratio

CAGR 3Y (%)

Quant Multi Asset Fund

3201.26

27.47

0.61

0.80

19.47

JM Aggressive Hybrid Fund

762.93

23.84

0.67

0.56

21.13

Bank of India Mid & Small Cap Equity & Debt Fund

1107.71

23.35

0.82

0.38

16.03

Quant Absolute Fund

2115.36

23.29

0.72

-0.09

14.05

ICICI Pru Equity & Debt Fund

40089.04

21.25

1.01

0.71

17.77


Breakdown of the Top 5 Hybrid Mutual Funds:

  1. Quant Multi Asset Fund

    • Rank: 1st based on 5-year CAGR of 27.47%
    • AUM: ₹3,201.26 crore
    • Expense Ratio: 0.61% (2nd lowest among the 5 funds)
    • Sharpe Ratio: 0.80 (2nd highest in the list)
    • 3-Year CAGR: 19.47% (3rd in 3-year performance)
  2. JM Aggressive Hybrid Fund

    • Rank: 2nd with a 5-year CAGR of 23.84%
    • AUM: ₹762.93 crore (lowest among the 5 funds)
    • Expense Ratio: 0.67%
    • Sharpe Ratio: 0.56 (3rd lowest in the list)
    • 3-Year CAGR: 21.13% (highest among the 5 funds)
  3. Bank of India Mid & Small Cap Equity & Debt Fund

    • Rank: 3rd with a 5-year CAGR of 23.35%
    • AUM: ₹1,107.71 crore
    • Expense Ratio: 0.82%
    • Sharpe Ratio: 0.38 (2nd lowest in the list)
    • 3-Year CAGR: 16.03% (4th in 3-year performance)
  4. Quant Absolute Fund

    • Rank: 4th with a 5-year CAGR of 23.29%
    • AUM: ₹2,115.36 crore
    • Expense Ratio: 0.72%
    • Sharpe Ratio: -0.09 (lowest in the list)
    • 3-Year CAGR: 14.05% (lowest among the 5 funds)
  5. ICICI Pru Equity & Debt Fund

    • Rank: 5th with a 5-year CAGR of 21.25%
    • AUM: ₹40,089.04 crore (highest among the 5 funds)
    • Expense Ratio: 1.01%
    • Sharpe Ratio: 0.71
    • 3-Year CAGR: 17.77%
       

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