Value Research

The insurance industry's predatory practices demand a collective response from customers

What’s really driving the markets right now—and where might they head next?

In this exclusive interview, Atul Bhole, fund manager at Kotak Mutual Fund, breaks down market trends, valuation concerns, and smart shifts in portfolio strategy. With over ₹65,000 crore in assets under management and two four-star-rated funds—Kotak Midcap Fund and Kotak Aggressive Hybrid Fund—under his watch, Bhole brings deep insights on how he’s navigating a volatile environment.

 Tune in to hear:

• Why recent market fatigue may be temporary

• Whether mid- and small-cap valuations are frothy—or justified

• What festive season indicators Bhole is watching closely

• The non-negotiables in his investment playbook: management, business strength, and growth

• The sectoral rotation that powered Kotak Midcap Fund’s rebound from third to first quartile

• What signals he tracks before buying or trimming a stock

This episode is a must-listen for serious investors, mutual fund followers, and anyone interested in understanding how a fund manager thinks through volatility, fundamentals, and opportunity.

Small-caps are sizzling — but is it time to cash out or stay the course?

Why investors chase expensive stocks and shun bargains

In this episode, Meenakshi Dawar—Senior Fund Manager, Equity Investments at Nippon India Mutual Fund—shares her market outlook and investment strategy amid today’s uncertain environment. With over ₹22,000 crore in AUM, she manages the four-star-rated Nippon India Aggressive Hybrid Fund and Nippon India Value Fund.

Meenakshi discusses:

• Why Indian markets are in a consolidation phase

• How she’s managing risk amid stretched valuations and slower growth

• Her top-down sector and bottom-up stock selection framework

• How to avoid value traps and identify undervalued opportunities

• Why she’s bullish on power and consumer durables

• The differences in positioning between Nippon’s Value, Flexi Cap and Aggressive Hybrid Funds

• Risk management in mid- and small-cap allocations

Whether you're a long-term investor or tracking tactical opportunities, this conversation is packed with real insights from one of India's top-performing fund managers.

What should a retiree’s investment plan really look like? And how do you invest when the next market cycle might look nothing like the last?

In this episode, Rajeev Thakkar, CIO of PPFAS Mutual Fund, joins us to talk about their Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund — a strategy designed not for market timing, but for real-life goals like cash flows, capital preservation, and inflation protection.

We explore:

• Why equity returns aren't guaranteed in the short term

• How PPFAS balances debt and hedged equity

• The logic behind staying in the 35–65% equity tax bracket

• Why this fund may underperform in bull markets — by design

• And who it’s really meant for: conservative investors, especially retirees

If you’re looking for a calmer, more predictable way to stay invested — this episode is for you.

Despite all the noise, equity remains misunderstood by most savers

Capitalmind Mutual Fund has entered the Indian investing landscape—and it’s starting with a bold move: a Flexicap Fund built on a fully quantitative, factor-based investing approach.

In this episode, we speak with Deepak Shenoy, Founder of Capitalmind Mutual Fund, about:

• Why Capitalmind transitioned from PMS to launching a fund house

• How their investing philosophy blends data, market sentiment, and adaptability

• The quantitative engine powering their Flexicap Fund

• What sets their approach apart in a crowded flexicap category

• Who should invest—and who shouldn’t

We also dive into factor investing, momentum strategies, and how their fund dynamically shifts between large-, mid-, and small-cap stocks using market regime indicators.

Whether you're a mutual fund enthusiast, a DIY investor, or a curious listener looking to understand the future of quantitative investing in India, this episode offers a front-row view into how a new-age fund house is thinking differently.

 Don’t forget to subscribe and follow us for more deep-dive conversations with India’s top money minds.

SIPs promise long-term wealth—but are you unknowingly sabotaging your own returns? 

 

In this exclusive episode, Gopal Agrawal, Senior Fund Manager – Equity at HDFC Mutual Fund, offers deep insights into what’s powering the HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund’s 75% return over three years, and how his investing philosophy blends value and growth to outperform benchmarks.

Agrawal manages over ₹1.54 lakh crore across four schemes and shares the behind-the-scenes decision-making that fuels his dynamic asset allocation, sector rotations, and the unique top-heavy-yet-diversified portfolio structure he favours. From the fund’s evolution post-Prashant Jain to navigating premium valuations and recovering from past missteps, Agrawal gets candid about what it takes to deliver consistent absolute returns in today’s volatile market.

Whether you’re an investor in HDFC BAF, exploring multi-cap or large & mid-cap funds, or simply curious about how top fund managers navigate cycles—this conversation is a masterclass in real-world portfolio management.

 Topics Covered:

• What’s driving HDFC BAF’s 75% return and outperformance

• Balancing growth, valuation, and downside protection

• How dynamic sector calls shaped HDFC Large & Mid Cap Fund

• Avoiding liquidity traps in mid- and small-cap spaces

• The philosophy behind maintaining 200+ stock portfolios

• How Balanced Advantage Funds truly work (and why they’re misunderstood)

• Lessons learned from underperformance and course correction

Categories/Genres: Business, Investing, Finance, Retirement Planning, Mutual Funds