Best Large Cap Funds for 2019

A large cap fund is an open-ended equity scheme which invests a minimum of 80% of its assets in the shares of large cap companies i.e.top 100 companies in terms of market capitalisation. Large cap mutual funds help investors maintain their portfolio stability as they are less volatile than their mid cap and small cap counterparts. However, these funds generate relatively lower returns than small cap and mid cap equity funds. The following is a short list of the 4 best large cap funds you should invest in 2019.

Reliance Large Cap Fund

Inception Date: August, 2007

Fund Manager: Mr. Sailesh Raj Bhan (Since 2007)

AUM: Rs. 11, 740 crore

Fund Category: Large Cap

Fund Benchmark: S&P BSE 100 TRI

Expense Ratio: 1.20% (Direct)

(Data as on December 31, 2018; Source: Pulse Labs)

Reliance Large Cap Fund is a more than 11 years old large cap fund which has been in the space since 2007. It is relatively aggressive scheme as it is mandated to invest 80-100% of its assets in large caps, but has kept its allocation at the lower end of this range at around 82%. The scheme has around 16% of its assets invested in mid caps and nearly 2% in small caps. The Reliance offering has performed better than its category average as well as its benchmark during the last 1 year period. During the 5 year period, the scheme has generated a return of 17.17%, nearly 4% more than both its category average and benchmark as well. In the sector-wise allocation  also, the scheme follows a relatively aggressive approach as its investments in cyclical sectors like Banking and Construction weigh more than defensive sectors like Pharmaceuticals. Another feather in the cap of this veteran fund is its fund manager’s vast experience. The scheme is being managed by Mr. Sailesh Raj Bhan since 2007, the year of the scheme’s inception. Reliance Large Cap fund is one of the best large cap funds for 2019 considering its extraordinary long term track record coupled with its fund manager’s vast experience.

SBI Blue Chip Fund

Inception Date: January, 2006

Fund Manager: Ms. Sohini Andani (Since 2010)

AUM: Rs. 20,625 crore

Fund Category: Large Cap

Fund Benchmark: S&P BSE 100 TRI

Expense Ratio: 1.19% (Direct)

(Data as on December 31, 2018; Source: Pulse Labs)

SBI Bluechip Fund is a veteran of the category which featured a magnificent AUM of Rs. 20,625 crore, ending December 2018. The scheme is present in the large cap segment since last 13 years now. The SBI fund provided an impressive return of 15.89% to its investors during the last 5 year period, more than both its category average and benchmark. The scheme is a relatively aggressive large cap fund as it has around 84% of its assets in large caps with around 9% and 2% holdings in mid caps and small caps respectively. The scheme has tried to hedge its aggressive holdings by investing around 5% of its assets in cash and debt. As far as sector-wise allocation of funds in concerned, the scheme has placed its bets more on consumption-driven sectors than defensive sectors. SBI Blue Chip Fund is one of India’s best large cap funds in 2019 considering its impressive performance over the long term and its fund’s manager’s long association. The scheme is being managed by the same fund manager, Ms. Sohini Andani, since last 9 years now.

Axis Bluechip Fund

Inception Date: January, 2010

Fund Manager: Mr. Shreyash Devalkar (since 2016)

AUM: Rs. 3,737 crore

Fund Category: Large Cap

Fund Benchmark: Nifty 50 TRI

Expense Ratio: 0.90% (Direct)

(Data as on December 31, 2018; Source: Pulse Labs)

Axis Bluechip Fund is nearly a decade old large cap fund which is present in the category since the year 2010. The scheme has outperformed both its category average and benchmark during all the above-mentioned periods – 1 year, 3 year, and 5 year, thereby giving highly extraordinary and consistent performance. The scheme follows a highly conservative approach in the allocation of its assets. The scheme has invested all of its assets in large caps with no mid and small cap holding. However, in its sector-wise allocation of funds, the scheme follows an aggressive approach as its investments in cyclical sectors weigh more than counter-cyclical sectors. Axis Bluechip Fund is a must include if you are building a portfolio that includes at least one of India’s best large cap funds for 2019 considering its unmatched historical performance and strong portfolio.

Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund

Inception Date: August, 2002

Fund Manager: Mr. Mahesh Patil (since 2005)

AUM: Rs. 21,175 crore

Fund Category: Large Cap

Fund Benchmark: Nifty 50 TRI

Expense Ratio: 1.17%

(Data as on December 31, 2018; Source: Pulse Labs)

Aditya Birla Sun Life Frontline Equity Fund is one of the oldest large cap funds which has a presence in the large cap segment since 2002. The scheme featured a staggering AUM of Rs. 21,175 crore. The scheme has outperformed both its category average and benchmark during the last 5 year period by generating a return of 14.79%. The scheme is slightly aggressive in its asset allocation. It has around 85% of its assets invested in large caps and a little over 14% in mid caps. In its sector-wise allocation of funds also, the Aditya Birla SL Frontline Equity fund follows an aggressive approach as cyclical sector weigh more than defensive sectors in its portfolio. The top rated large cap scheme is being managed by Mr. Mahesh Patil who has been at the helm since last 14 years now. The scheme is a good pick for investors who wish to reap impressive returns over the long term which is the reason for its inclusion into this list of 4 best large cap funds for 2019. The scheme has a strong backing of its fund manager’s vast experience.