The jury is out…. Portfolio Management Services (PMS) have outperformed Equity Mutual Funds (MF) by a huge margin!

Charmi Shah
Content & Analysis,
PMS AIF WORLD

Which is better – Portfolio Management Services or Mutual Funds?

We have curated a detailed score card to analyse the performance of both. A comparison has been done between MFs and PMSs (data has been considered as of 31.03.2024 for both, and returns displayed here are net of all expenses and gross of taxes) and the infographics of the same are given below.

If you had invested INR 50 lakhs each in the basket of Top 5 Equity Mutual Funds v/s in Top 5 Portfolio Management Services over the last 1,2,3,5, and 10 Years, where would you end up?

Check out the numbers below!

For high performance investing, which is better – Portfolio Management Services or Mutual Funds?

Here we present a simple analysis to address some real questions asked by investors today – Where should you invest – Portfolio Management Services (PMS) or Mutual Funds (MF)?

While both are well regulated and credible structures meant to out-perform equity market indices, objective performance analysis conveys that it is the PMSs that have generated significantly higher alpha and so, are righty considered to be wealth-creating vehicles.

We followed 3 simple steps

Step 1: We filtered Top 5 PMSs  and Top 5 Mutual Funds (Open Ended, Regular Plans) in different time periods of 1 Year, 2 Years, 3 Years, 5 Years, and 10 Years from all the options available during these time periods; for all— Annualized Returns have been taken for period ending 31.03.2024.

Also, since 10Y is a good long term horizon, we have not bifurcated the comparison into different market cap categories for 10Y. Thus, for a 10-year period, the comparison has been done across all categories; but for 5Y, 3Y, 2Y, and 1Y comparisons, we bifurcated into Multi Cap comparison as well as Mid & Small Comparisons.

Step 2: To make it simpler, we compared Multi Cap PMSs with Multi/Flexi Cap MFs and we compared Mid & Small Cap PMSs with Mid & Small Cap MFs.

Step 3: We assumed investing INR 2.5 crores in equal weights (i.e. INR 50 lakhs each) in Top 5 PMSs & investing INR 2.5 crores in equal weights (i.e. INR 50 lakhs each) in Top 5 MFs during these time periods and arrived at the following results.

10Y Returns Comparison – Across All Categories

TOP 5 PMSs- 10Y Returns (Across all categories)
Scheme Name   AuM (Cr)  Annualized Returns
Aequitas Investment India Opportunities PMS 3149.16 34.92%
Master Trust India Growth PMS 502.75 28.72%
Globe Capital Value PMS 817.14 26.40%
Nine Rivers capital Aurum Small Cap Opportunities PMS 730.00 25.97%
SageOne Investment Core Portfolio 3490.00 24.00%
TOP 5 MFs- 10Y Returns (Across all categories)
Scheme Name   AuM (Cr)  Annualized Returns
Nippon India Small Cap Fund 46044.13 26.44%
SBI Small Cap Fund 25434.98 25.57%
Quant Flexi Cap Fund 4154.65 23.39%
DSP Small Cap Fund 13709.97 22.87%
Quant Active Fund 8466.76 22.84%

Conclusion: If one had invested Rs 2.5 Crs in these top 5 PMSs on 1st April 2014, rather than in the top 5 MFs, over a period of 10 years, one would have generated Rs 8.75 Crs more.

5Y Returns Comparison – Multi Cap

TOP 5 PMSs- 5Y Returns (Multi Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
ValueQuest Platinum Scheme PMS 1529.00 30.16%
Sameeksha Capital Equity PMS 1202.00 29.90%
Stallion Asset Core PMS 1407.00 29.89%
Globe Capital Value PMS 817.14 29.23%
Globe Capital Arbitrage PMS 269.23 27.87%
TOP 5 MFs- 5Y Returns (Regular Plan, Multi/Flexi Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Quant Flexi Cap Fund 4154.65 28.65%
Quant Active Fund 8466.76 27.33%
Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund 60559.43 22.71%
Axis Growth Opportunities Fund 11310.89 21.04%
ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund 11333.37 20.48%

Conclusion: If one had invested Rs 2.5 Crs in these top 5 PMSs on 1st April 2019, rather than in the top 5 MFs, over a period of 5 years, one would have generated Rs 1.68 Crs more.

5Y Returns Comparison – Mid & Small Cap

TOP 5 PMSs- 5Y Returns (Mid & Small Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Green Lantern Capital LLP Growth PMS 406.49 37.87%
UNIFI APJ 20 PMS 620.50 29.03%
Aequitas Investment India Opportunities PMS 3149.16 28.88%
Equirus Long Horizon PMS 851.87 27.11%
UNIFI Blended Fund-Rangoli PMS 12857.00 26.83%
TOP 5 MFs- 5Y Returns (Regular Plan, Mid & Small Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Quant Small Cap Fund 17193.09 34.60%
Nippon India Small Cap Fund 46044.13 28.27%
Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund 9594.98 25.43%
Tata Small Cap Fund 6289.22 24.93%
Invesco India Smallcap Fund 3705.37 24.77%

Conclusion: If one had invested Rs 2.5 Crs in these top 5 PMSs on 1st April 2019, rather than in the top 5 MFs, over a period of 5 years, one would have generated Rs 0.83 Crs more.

3Y Returns Comparison – Multi Cap

TOP 5 PMSs- 3Y Returns (Multi Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Carnelian Capital Shift PMS 1407.00 37.30%
Invasset LLP Growth PMS 232.93 36.97%
Unique Asset Management Strategic PMS 1247.65 35.39%
ICICI Prudential PMS Value PMS 300.10 34.37%
Ambit Global Private Client Alpha Growth PMS 402.000 33.70%
TOP 5 MFs- 3Y Returns (Regular Plan, Multi/Flexi Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Quant Flexi Cap Fund 4154.65 32.23%
Nippon India Multicap Fund 26808.69 28.86%
Quant Active Fund 8466.76 26.31%
ICICI Prudential Large & Mid Cap Fund 11333.37 25.89%
HDFC Flexi Cap Fund 49656.92 25.62%

Conclusion: If one had invested Rs 2.5 Crs in these top 5 PMSs on 1st April 2021, rather than in the top 5 MFs, over a period of 3 years, one would have generated Rs 1.01 Crs more.

3Y Returns Comparison – Mid & Small Cap

TOP 5 PMSs- 3Y Returns (Mid & Small Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Counter Cyclical Investments – Diversified Long Term Value PMS 577.04 58.95%
Green Lantern Capital LLP Growth PMS 406.49 58.72%
Aequitas Investment India Opportunities PMS 3149.16 55.31%
Electrum Laureate PMS 283.00 37.10%
Equitree Emerging Opportunities PMS 177.79 35.99%
TOP 5 MFs- 3Y Returns (Regular Plan, Mid & Small Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Quant Small Cap Fund 17193.09 39.10%
Nippon India Small Cap Fund 46044.13 32.93%
HSBC Small Cap Fund 13746.58 31.55%
HDFC Small Cap Fund 28598.92 29.85%
Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund 11822.68 29.44%

Conclusion: If one had invested Rs 2.5 Crs in these top 5 PMSs on 1st April 2021, rather than in the top 5 MFs, over a period of 3 years, one would have generated Rs 2.59 Crs more.

2Y Returns Comparison – Multi Cap

TOP 5 PMSs- 2Y Returns (Multi Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Samvitti Capital Active Alpha Multicap PMS 191.71 49.72%
Invasset LLP Growth PMS 232.93 45.35%
Unique Asset Management Strategic PMS 1247.65 38.27%
ICICI Prudential PMS Value PMS 300.10 36.16%
Samvitti Capital Aggressive Growth PMS 250.16 35.10%
TOP 5 MFs- 2Y Returns (Regular Plan, Multi/Flexi Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
HDFC Multicap Fund 12231.81 26.53%
Nippon India Multicap Fund 26808.69 26.31%
Bandhan Core Equity Fund 3883.52 25.56%
Quant Flexi Cap Fund 4154.65 25.51%
HDFC Flexi Cap Fund 49656.92 24.81%

Conclusion: If one had invested Rs 2.5 Crs in these top 5 PMSs on 1st April 2022, rather than in the top 5 MFs, over a period of 2 years, one would have generated Rs 1.02 Crs more.

2Y Returns Comparison – Mid & Small Cap

TOP 5 PMSs- 2Y Returns (Mid & Small Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Green Lantern Capital LLP Growth PMS 406.49 60.41%
Aequitas Investment India Opportunities PMS 3149.16 47.97%
Molecule Ventures Growth PMS 459.72 45.64%
Counter Cyclical Investments – Diversified Long Term Value PMS 577.04 34.87%
ICICI Prudential PMS PIPE PMS 4792.60 31.54%
TOP 5 MFs- 2Y Returns (Regular Plan, Mid & Small Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Quant Small Cap Fund 17193.09 30.48%
Franklin India Smaller Companies Fund 11822.68 27.89%
Nippon India Small Cap Fund 46044.13 27.88%
HDFC Small Cap Fund 28598.92 27.69%
Bandhan Small Cap Fund 4389.28 26.13%

Conclusion: If one had invested Rs 2.5 Crs in these top 5 PMSs on 1st April 2022, rather than in the top 5 MFs, over a period of 2 years, one would have generated Rs 1.12 Crs more.

1Y Returns Comparison – Multi Cap

TOP 5 PMSs- 1Y Returns (Multi Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Invasset LLP Growth PMS 232.93 128.47%
Samvitti Capital Active Alpha Multicap PMS 191.71 98.40%
Ambit Global Private Client Alpha Growth PMS 402.00 94.80%
Shepherd’s Hill Value Mango PMS 104.49 89.48%
Samvitti Capital Aggressive Growth PMS 250.16 83.66%
TOP 5 MFs- 1Y Returns (Regular Plan, Multi/Flexi Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Quant Flexi Cap Fund 4154.65 57.28%
Bandhan Core Equity Fund 3883.52 52.72%
Nippon India Multicap Fund 26808.69 49.99%
Quant Active Fund 8466.76 49.47%
HDFC Multicap Fund 12231.81 48.97%

Conclusion: If one had invested Rs 2.5 Crs in these top 5 PMSs on 1st April 2023, rather than in the top 5 MFs, over a period of 1 year, one would have generated Rs 1.18 Crs more.

1Y Returns Comparison – Mid & Small Cap

TOP 5 PMSs- 1Y Returns (Mid & Small Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Green Lantern Capital LLP Growth PMS 406.49 110.79%
Aequitas Investment India Opportunities PMS 3149.16 82.83%
Roha Asset Managers Emerging Champions PMS 436.00 76.64%
Motilal Oswal AMC Mid to Mega PMS 1425.00 68.03%
SageOne Investment Core PMS 3490.00 66.30%
TOP 5 MFs- 1Y Returns (Regular Plan, Mid & Small Cap Fund)
Scheme Name  AuM (Cr) Annualized Returns
Bandhan Small Cap Fund 4389.28 69.29%
Quant Small Cap Fund 17193.09 66.27%
Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Fund 3526.63 65.59%
Nippon India Small Cap Fund 46044.13 55.14%
HSBC Mid Cap Fund 9724.77 54.91%

Conclusion: If one had invested Rs 2.5 Crs in these top 5 PMSs on 1st April 2023, rather than in the top 5 MFs, over a period of 1 year, one would have generated Rs 0.47 Crs more.

From the above results, it is clear that investing in PMSs has created more wealth for investors than investing in MFs.

This was simple. The difficult task starts from here on. And, that is –

  • How to select the potential Best 5 Portfolios for different periods of 3 to 5 years of future investments?
  • How to have the conviction to hold the best ones for the longer term?

And, this is best endeavored by our Analytics & Content backed approach.

Our proprietary analysis & content helps tackle the above 2 tasks. We are very selective, and we analyze PMS products across the 5 Ps – People, Philosophy, Performance, Portfolio, and Price with an aim to ascertain the Quality, Risk, and Consistency (QRC) attributes before suggesting the same to investors.

Holding on to the good equity investments requires high conviction in the portfolio at all points of time, else, one tends to exit early owing to the traps of emotions or impatience. With our proprietary content via fund manager videos, newsletters, and articles, we keep our clients updated, and this ensures our clients always make informed decisions.

We offer responsible, long-term quality investing. Our Philosophy is simple, but not easy –

Quality + High Conviction = Compounding.

For any queries related to your investment needs, book an appointment with our experts.

This analytics is an endeavor to compare MFs and PMSs objectively.


Please Note:

  • Min AUM taken for PMSs (3Y, 5Y, and 10Y Category) is Rs 200 Crs
  • Min AUM taken for PMSs (2Y Category) is Rs 100 Crs
  • Min AUM taken for PMSs (1Y Category) is Rs 75 Crs
  • Min AUM taken for MFs (5Y, and 10Y Category) is Rs 4000 Crs
  • Min AUM taken for MFs (3Y Category) is Rs 3000 Crs
  • Min AUM taken for MFs (2Y, and 1Y Category) is Rs 2000 Crs

Source: Respective PMS Companies’ Audited Factsheets for PMS Data and Value Research & Moneycontrol P2P Data for MF Data. Returns more than 1 year is CAGR. These are Point-to-Point returns till 31st March 2024. So, for 10Y, the period taken is 01st April 2014 to 30th March 2024 and likewise for others as well.


Wealth Management Industry is not designed to be Fair. There are hundreds of products and strategies that waste time and money. A strict discipline is required, and one must practice caution while investing. It is easy to socialize and sell, which is what most sales-driven wealth management companies do. But it is equally difficult to maintain insight and integrity, which is what drives us.

PMS AIF WORLD provides analytics & content backed quality investment services. It is easy to socialize and sell, which is what most sales-driven wealth management companies do. But it is equally difficult to maintain insight and integrity, which is what drives us. Our focus is Performance, and we are driven by meaningful analytics.

We are a new age Wealth Management Company. With us, investors make informed investment decisions.


RISK DISCLAIMER: Investments are subject to market-related risks. This write up is meant for general information purposes and not to be construed as any recommendation or advice. The investor must make their own analysis and decision depending upon risk appetite. Only those investors who have an aptitude and attitude to risk should consider the space of Alternates (PMS & AIFs). Past Performance may or may not be sustained in the future and should not be used as a basis for comparison with other investments. Please read the disclosure documents carefully before investing. PMS & AIF products are market-linked and do not offer any guaranteed/assured returns. These are riskier investments, with a risk to principal amount as well. Thus, investors must make informed decisions. It is necessary to deep dive not only into the performance, but also into people, philosophy, portfolio, and price, before investing. We, at PMS AIF WORLD do such a detailed 5 P analysis.

Wish to make INFORMED INVESTMENTS for Long Term WEALTH CREATION

Do Not Simply Invest, Make Informed Decisions

imageBook a call with our Experts