Best Quant Hybrid Mutual Funds

Quant Money Managers Ltd is a leading asset management firm in India, incorporated in 1995. As of March 2021, the average quarterly assets under management of this AMC stood at Rs.721.48 crore. 

This AMC currently offers more than 10 mutual fund schemes in debt, equity, and hybrid categories, including the best quant hybrid mutual funds.

Hybrid funds invest in a mixture of asset types. Although these investments are majorly made in debt and equity instruments, some funds invest in international stocks, real estate, and gold. Thus, hybrid mutual funds combine the features of both equity and debt MFs to deliver better returns than pure debt funds while reducing the level of risk associated with equity schemes. 

A properly managed hybrid fund aims to generate capital appreciation in the long run and stability in the short term. For capital appreciation, the fund invests in equity shares. At the same time, it invests in government bonds and debt instruments to cushion market risks and generate income in the short term. 

A stated objective is associated with the top quant hybrid mutual funds, like moderate, aggressive, or conservative. It indicates the level of risk and returns an investor can expect. This classification also dictates the proportions in which a scheme will invest in equity and debt instruments. 

For instance, an aggressive MF scheme will invest predominantly in stocks while a conservative fund will mainly allocate assets to debt instruments. Balanced funds typically hold bonds and stocks in a 40:60 ratio. On the other hand, dynamic asset allocation funds can invest their entire asset in debt securities or equity shares, depending on market conditions. Lastly, multi-asset funds can allocate assets to more than two asset classes, like gold, real estate, etc. 

Taxability

The latest offerings of this AMC include around 2 hybrid fund schemes. Individuals can select the best quant hybrid mutual fund by considering a few vital factors. However, before diving into the nitty-gritty of these, take a look at how a hybrid fund is taxed.

A hybrid fund can be taxed as pure equity or debt MF scheme premised on asset allocation. Schemes with a majority investment in equity and related instruments are treated as equity funds. Conversely, those with significant investments in debt securities attract taxes similar to a debt fund. The following points discuss these in detail –

Short-term Capital Gains Tax: Gains arising from an equity-oriented hybrid fund within a year of investment is taxed at a 15% rate. On the other hand, one needs to add short-term gains to their taxable income if the units are sold prior to a year.

Long-term Capital Gains Tax: LTCG tax is applicable at a 10% rate on gains arising out of an equity MF scheme if units are sold after a year. The LTCG from a debt-oriented hybrid fund, held for over 3 years, attracts tax at a 20% rate with indexation benefits.

TDS: Capital gains do not attract TDS. However, dividends exceeding Rs.5000 attract 10% TDS.

Factors to Consider Before Investing

Besides being aware of the taxes involved in the best quant hybrid mutual funds, an investor must take note of the following vital parameters:

Equity exposure: Investors must be aware of the equity exposure in a particular hybrid MF scheme. A fund with limited exposure to equity instruments will offer less volatile returns than one with significant investments in equity shares. Thus, analysing the equity investments can offer a better understanding of the associated risks a specific scheme carries.

Investment horizon: Before investing in the best quant hybrid mutual funds in 2022, individuals may want to determine a specific period for which they will hold their units. Usually, hybrid funds provide moderate and volatile returns in the short term and more significant and averaged out gains over a long time.

Expense ratio: Even the top quant hybrid funds mutual fund houses charge a specific fee for managing a scheme. This fee is referred to as the expense ratio. 

Experience of a fund manager:  The competence of a fund manager plays a vital role in determining the profitability prospects of an investor. That is why most experienced investors put considerable emphasis on a fund manager’s expertise. 

Investment method: Two ways investors can subscribe to a hybrid MF scheme are SIP and lump-sum. Systematic Investment Plan allows individuals to deposit a fixed sum periodically to purchase units at varying NAVs, which leads to rupee-cost averaging. On the other hand, the lump-sum method requires individuals to invest at once to buy units at a particular day’s Net Asset Value. 

Selecting an apt fund out of the best quant hybrid mutual funds might be challenging for first-time investors. Nevertheless, keeping the points described above in mind while learning about the basics of mutual funds can prove beneficial in this regard.