Only 6 Midcap Mutual Funds beat Nifty Midcap 150 in the last 5 years

A look at how midcap funds performed in comparison to this index in the last 1,2,3,4 and 5 years. Is it time to consider passive investing options in the midcap space?

Published: January 30, 2020 at 12:00 pm

Last Updated on January 30, 2020 at 12:00 pm

Only six midcap mutual funds (direct plan) managed to beat Nifty Midcap 150 TRI (dividends included) in the last five years (six becomes four if we consider regular plans). Let us take a look at how midcap funds performed in comparison to this index in the last 1,2,3,4 and 5 years.

Please note we do not recommend these funds.  This data is only for one particular window in time. To analyse performance consistently, the reader can consider using the Jan 2020 Equity Mutual Fund Performance Screener. The aim of this study is to point out that even in the large cap space beating the index is not as easy as it seems.

As on Jan 29, 2020, only the following six funds (out of a total of 22) managed to outperform Nifty MIdcap 150 TRI over the last five years (trailing). These funds also outperformed the index over 1, 2 and 3 years.  

🔥Secure your future with our Robo-advisory tool trusted by over 3,500 investors and advisors. From effortless retirement planning to funding your children’s biggest dreams,  turn your financial goals into reality. 🔥

Subscribe for money management solutions via email! (Link takes you to our email sign-up form) Join 32,000+ readers in our community.

  1. Kotak Emerging Equity Fund
  2. Sahara Midcap Fund
  3. DSP Midcap Fund
  4. Axis Midcap Fund
  5. L&T Midcap Fund
  6. Invesco India Midcap Fund

The full list of funds and their five-year returns are shown below. The index returns are shown in blue and category average and median in red.

Scheme Name5 Years
Kotak Emerging Equity Fund12.46
Sahara Midcap Fund12.15
DSP Midcap Fund11.89
Axis Midcap Fund11.51
L&T Midcap Fund11.41
Invesco India Midcap Fund11.27
Nifty Midcap 150 – TRI10.04
Motilal Oswal Midcap 30 Fund10.00
Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund9.83
Tata Mid Cap Growth Fund9.74
Franklin India Prima Fund9.56
Taurus Discovery (Midcap) Fund9.55
Category Median9.55
HDFC Mid-Cap Opportunities Fund9.54
BNP Paribas Mid Cap Fund9.48
Category Average9.16
Nippon India Growth Fund9.04
Sundaram Mid Cap Fund8.65
SBI Magnum Midcap Fund7.93
Aditya Birla SL Midcap Fund7.68
ICICI Pru Midcap Fund7.68
UTI Mid Cap Fund7.30
Quant Mid Cap Fund6.87
PGIM India Midcap Opp Fund6.29
Baroda Mid-cap Fund1.77

Nifty Midcap 150 TRI returned – 3.29% over the last two years (trailing).  During this period 18 out of 23 funds managed to do better. Out of this 18, 10 of them managed a positive return.  Over the last year (trailing) 16 out of 24 funds managed to beat the index.

The poor performance of the category over five years in spite of this recent recovery is notable. Few funds may have changed nature after the SEBI categorization but even then the outperformers are relatively few. Finally over the last three years (trailing), only 10 out of 23 funds managed to get a return better than the Nifty Midcap 150 TRI index

Does this mean we can consider passive investing in the midcap space? We have three ETFs and one index fund – Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund (Should you invest?) – in this space.

However, none of them has been seriously tested during a big market crash or liquidity crunch in midcap stocks. An actively managed midcap fund has the freedom to hold up to 20% of large cap stocks and these can effectively act as “liquid cash” in case of redemption pressure. In addition, active midcap funds have done well during the last two years (when the index fell by – 3%). Such downside protection would be missing in a midcap index or ETF. Thus I would recommend those eager to invest passively in midcap stocks to wait and watch a little bit longer.

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

We are on Google News. Use this button to add freefincal.com as a preferred personal finance source on Google News.
Add freefincal as a preferred news source
Add freefincal as a preferred news source


Use our Robo-advisory Tool to create a complete financial plan! More than 3,000 investors and advisors use this! Use the discount code robo25 for 20% off. Plan your retirement (early, normal, before, and after), plus non-recurring financial goals (such as child education) and recurring financial goals (such as holidays and appliance purchases). The tool helps anyone aged 18 to 80 plan for retirement, plus six non-recurring and four recurring financial goals, with a detailed cash flow summary.

🔥Join our community of 9000+ users! 🔥Avail massive discounts on our courses + freefincal investor circle!


Track your mutual funds and stock investments with our Google Sheet!
We also publish monthly equity mutual funds, debt and hybrid mutual funds, index funds, ETF screeners, as well as momentum and low-volatility stock screeners.

You can follow our articles on Google News

Follow Freefincal on Google News
Follow Freefincal on Google News

We have over 1,000 videos on YouTube!

Subscribe to the freefincal Youtube Channel.
Subscribe to the freefincal YouTube Channel

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
Listen to the 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 personalised investment advice. We can write a detailed article without mentioning your name if you have a generic question.

About The Author

Dr 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 14 years of experience publishing news analysis, research and financial product development.
Pattabiraman editor freefincal
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, AUM-independent investment advice.

Connect with him via Twitter(X) LinkedIn YouTube


Our flagship course! Learn to manage your portfolio like a pro to achieve your goals regardless of market conditions! More than 3,500 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 conditions! Watch the first lecture for free! One-time payment! No recurring fees! Lifelong access to videos! Reduce fear, uncertainty and doubt while investing! Learn how to plan for your goals before and after retirement with confidence.
Increase your income by getting people to pay for your skills! More than 900 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 seeking more clients through online visibility, or a salaried individual looking for side or passive income, we will show you how to do it by showcasing your skills and building a community that trusts and pays you. (Watch the 1st lecture for free). One-time payment! No recurring fees! Lifelong access to videos!
Our 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 versions of "Chinchu Gets a Superpower".
Most investor problems stem from a lack of informed decision-making. We made bad decisions and money mistakes when we started earning, and we spent years undoing them. Why should our children go through the same pain? What is this book about? As parents, what if we had to groom one ability in our children that is key not only to money management and investing but to every aspect of life? My answer: Sound decision-making. So, in this book, we meet Chinchu, who is about to turn 10. The story follows what he wants for his birthday and how his parents plan it, while also teaching him key ideas about decision-making and money management. What readers say!
Feedback from a young reader after reading Chinchu gets a Superpower
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 a side income via content writing. It is available at a 50% discount for Rs. 500 only!
We publish monthly mutual fund screeners and momentum, low-volatility stock screeners.

About freefincal & its content policy

Freefincal is a News Media organisation 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: To get in touch, please use our contact form. (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 investing book cover
Published by CNBC TV18, this book helps you ask the right questions and find the right answers. It also includes nine online calculators, so you can create custom solutions tailored to your lifestyle. Get it now.

Gamechanger: Forget Startups, Join Corporate & Still Live the Rich Life You Want

Gamechanger book cover
This book is designed to help young earners get the basics right from the start! 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
This is an in-depth exploration of vacation planning, including how to find affordable flights, budget accommodations, and practical travel tips. It also examines the benefits of travelling slowly, both financially and psychologically, with links to relevant web pages and guidance at every step. Get the PDF for Rs 300 (instant download)