HDFC Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index Fund Review

Published: September 1, 2024 at 6:00 am

HDFC Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index Fund is an open-ended scheme replicating/tracking Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index. We will discuss whether it makes sense to invest in this new fund.

To aid active multi-cap funds in benchmarking themselves after SEBI changed their asset-allocation pattern, NSE launched the Nifty 500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index on Dec 2nd 2020.

The index is a mixture of three indices: 50% of Nifty 100 plus 25% of Nifty Midcap 150 and 25% of Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI. The 500 stocks of the Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index would be identical to the Nifty 500, but the weights would be considerably different.

Unlike the Nifty 500, which has more than 70% of large cap stocks (due to market capitalization-based weights), about 15-20% mid cap stocks and the rest, small cap stocks, the Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 index (as the name suggests) holds close to 50% large cap, 25% mid cap and 25% small cap stocks.

We shall now proceed to compare the index movement with other prominent benchmarks.


Join over 32,000 readers and get free money management solutions delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to get posts via email!
🔥Enjoy massive discounts on our robo-advisory tool & courses! 🔥

Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 TR vs Nifty 50 TRI

Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index vs Nifty 50 TRI from April 2005 to August 2024

Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index vs Nifty 50 TRI from April 2005 to August 2024

Before we get carried away by the recent outperformance, it is important to recognise that the multicap index did not do too well for the first 6-7 years after inception, and it periodically keeps falling back down to Nifty 50.

So, like any other new idea or strategy, do not expect the multicap index to beat the Nifty 50 all the time. Nothing will outperform all the time. Everything is cyclic with unknown periodicity. We can never know when something will start/stop outperforming!

Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 TR vs Nifty Next 50 TRI

Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index vs Nifty Next 50 TRI from April 2005 to August 2024
Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index vs Nifty Next 50 TRI from April 2005 to August 2024

The multicap index movement is quite close to that of NIfty Next 50 TRI (when viewed from 1st April 2005), except for occasional deviations. So, if you are already investing in a Nifty Next 50 index fund, you do not need a Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index Fund.

These are indices that make up the multicap index.

Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index vs Nifty Midcap 150 TRI vs Nifty Small Cap 250 TRI vs Nifty 100 TRI from April 2005 to August 2024
Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index vs Nifty Midcap 150 TRI vs Nifty Small Cap 250 TRI vs Nifty 100 TRI from April 2005 to August 2024

Rolling returns of the multicap index (yellow) and Nifty 50 TRI (brown) are shown below for five and ten years. This means we look at every possible 5Y and 10Y return between April 1st, 2005, and August 23rd, 2024. The number of such data points in each coloured line is indicated within each image.

Five-year rolling returns of Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index with Nifty 50 TRI between April 2005 to August 2024
Five-year rolling returns of Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index with Nifty 50 TRI between April 2005 to August 2024
Ten-year rolling returns of Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index with Nifty 50 TRI between April 2005 to August 2024
Ten-year rolling returns of Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 Total Return Index with Nifty 50 TRI between April 2005 to August 2024

Over five years, the likelihood of the multicap index outperforming the Nifty 50 is a coin toss. Over ten years, the likelihood is higher.

If we repeat the exercise with the Nifty Next 50, Nifty Midcap 150 and Nifty Smallcap 250, we see little difference between the multicap index and Nifty Next 50.

Ten-year rolling returns of Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 TRI with Nifty Midcap 150 TRI, Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI and Nifty Next 50 TRI
Ten-year rolling returns of Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 TRI with Nifty Midcap 150 TRI, Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI and Nifty Next 50 TRI

Once again, the futility of investing in a small cap index is seen above. Also see: Nippon India Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund: Can I add this to my passive portfolio?Next, we compare the five and ten tear rolling risk or standard deviation of the multicap index with Nifty 50 and Nifty Next 50. The volatility of the hybrid index is similar to the Nifty 50 TR index.

Ten-year rolling risk (standard deviation) of Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 TRI with Nifty 50 TRI and Nifty Next 50 TRI between April 2005 and August 2024
Ten-year rolling risk (standard deviation) of Nifty500 Multicap 50-25-25 TRI with Nifty 50 TRI and Nifty Next 50 TRI between April 2005 and August 2024

In summary, the Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index has a risk profile close to the Nifty 50 and a reward profile close to the Nifty Next 50.  It makes no sense for existing Nifty or Nifty Next 50 investors to include HDFC Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index Fund in their portfolios.

Can new investors use HDFC Nifty500 Multicap 50:25:25 Index Fund as a single fund to get exposure to all market caps? We do not recommend this. When mid and small-caps do not do well, the index will likely underperform Nifty 50. Such underperformance could last years. It is simpler to hold Nifty 50 and a pinch of Nifty Next 50 to scratch the FOMO itch. We see no compelling reason to have this fund.

Do share this article with your friends using the buttons below.

🔥Enjoy massive discounts on our courses, robo-advisory tool and exclusive investor circle! 🔥& join our community of 5000+ users!
Use our Robo-advisory Tool for a start-to-finish financial plan! More than 1,000 investors and advisors use this!
New Tool! => Track your mutual funds and stock investments with this Google Sheet!
We also publish monthly equity mutual funds, debt and hybrid mutual funds, index funds and ETF screeners and momentum, low-volatility stock screeners.
Follow Freefincal on Google News
Follow Freefincal on Google News
Subscribe to the freefincal Youtube Channel. Subscribe button courtesy: Vecteezy.
Subscribe to the freefincal Youtube Channel.
Follow freefincal on WhatsApp Channel
Follow freefincal on WhatsApp
Podcast: Let's Get RICH With PATTU! Every single Indian CAN grow their wealth! 
Listen to the Lets Get Rich with Pattu Podcast
Listen to the Let's Get Rich with Pattu Podcast
You can watch podcast episodes on the OfSpin Media Friends YouTube Channel.
Lets Get RICH With PATTU podcast on YouTube
Let's Get RICH With PATTU podcast on YouTube.
🔥Now Watch Let's Get Rich With Pattu தமிழில் (in Tamil)! 🔥
  • Do you have a comment about the above article? Reach out to us on Twitter: @freefincal or @pattufreefincal
  • Have a question? Subscribe to our newsletter using the form below.
  • Hit 'reply' to any email from us! We do not offer personalized investment advice. We can write a detailed article without mentioning your name if you have a generic question.

Join over 32,000 readers and get free money management solutions delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to get posts via email!

About The Author

Pattabiraman editor freefincalDr M. Pattabiraman(PhD) is the founder, managing editor and primary author of freefincal. He is an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. He has over ten years of experience publishing news analysis, research and financial product development. Connect with him via Twitter(X), Linkedin, or YouTube. Pattabiraman has co-authored three print books: (1) You can be rich too with goal-based investing (CNBC TV18) for DIY investors. (2) Gamechanger for young earners. (3) Chinchu Gets a Superpower! for kids. He has also written seven other free e-books on various money management topics. He is a patron and co-founder of “Fee-only India,” an organisation promoting unbiased, commission-free investment advice.
Our flagship course! Learn to manage your portfolio like a pro to achieve your goals regardless of market conditions! More than 3,000 investors and advisors are part of our exclusive community! Get clarity on how to plan for your goals and achieve the necessary corpus no matter the market condition is!! Watch the first lecture for free!  One-time payment! No recurring fees! Life-long access to videos! Reduce fear, uncertainty and doubt while investing! Learn how to plan for your goals before and after retirement with confidence.
Our new course!  Increase your income by getting people to pay for your skills! More than 700 salaried employees, entrepreneurs and financial advisors are part of our exclusive community! Learn how to get people to pay for your skills! Whether you are a professional or small business owner who wants more clients via online visibility or a salaried person wanting a side income or passive income, we will show you how to achieve this by showcasing your skills and building a community that trusts and pays you! (watch 1st lecture for free). One-time payment! No recurring fees! Life-long access to videos!   
Our new book for kids: “Chinchu Gets a Superpower!” is now available!
Both boy and girl version covers of Chinchu gets a superpower
Both the boy and girl-version covers of "Chinchu Gets a superpower".
Most investor problems can be traced to a lack of informed decision-making. We made bad decisions and money mistakes when we started earning and spent years undoing these mistakes. Why should our children go through the same pain? What is this book about? As parents, what would it be if we had to groom one ability in our children that is key not only to money management and investing but to any aspect of life? My answer: Sound Decision Making. So, in this book, we meet Chinchu, who is about to turn 10. What he wants for his birthday and how his parents plan for it, as well as teaching him several key ideas of decision-making and money management, is the narrative. What readers say!
Feedback from a young reader after reading Chinchu gets a Superpower (small version)
Feedback from a young reader after reading Chinchu gets a Superpower!
Must-read book even for adults! This is something that every parent should teach their kids right from their young age. The importance of money management and decision making based on their wants and needs. Very nicely written in simple terms. - Arun.
Buy the book: Chinchu gets a superpower for your child!
How to profit from content writing: Our new ebook is for those interested in getting side income via content writing. It is available at a 50% discount for Rs. 500 only!
Do you want to check if the market is overvalued or undervalued? Use our market valuation tool (it will work with any index!), or get the Tactical Buy/Sell timing tool!
We publish monthly mutual fund screeners and momentum, low-volatility stock screeners.
About freefincal & its content policy. Freefincal is a News Media Organization dedicated to providing original analysis, reports, reviews and insights on mutual funds, stocks, investing, retirement and personal finance developments. We do so without conflict of interest and bias. Follow us on Google News. Freefincal serves more than three million readers a year (5 million page views) with articles based only on factual information and detailed analysis by its authors. All statements made will be verified with credible and knowledgeable sources before publication. Freefincal does not publish paid articles, promotions, PR, satire or opinions without data. All opinions will be inferences backed by verifiable, reproducible evidence/data. Contact information: letters {at} freefincal {dot} com (sponsored posts or paid collaborations will not be entertained)
Connect with us on social media
Our publications

You Can Be Rich Too with Goal-Based Investing

You can be rich too with goal based investingPublished by CNBC TV18, this book is meant to help you ask the right questions and seek the correct answers, and since it comes with nine online calculators, you can also create custom solutions for your lifestyle! Get it now.
Gamechanger: Forget Startups, Join Corporate & Still Live the Rich Life You Want Gamechanger: Forget Start-ups, Join Corporate and Still Live the Rich Life you wantThis book is meant for young earners to get their basics right from day one! It will also help you travel to exotic places at a low cost! Get it or gift it to a young earner.

Your Ultimate Guide to Travel

Travel-Training-Kit-Cover-new This is an in-depth dive into vacation planning, finding cheap flights, budget accommodation, what to do when travelling, and how travelling slowly is better financially and psychologically, with links to the web pages and hand-holding at every step. Get the pdf for Rs 300 (instant download)