Age
Focused funds are ideal for young investors who have several years to retire. They can take the risk associated with them. Individuals who are nearing retirement may not be willing to take this risk. However, aggressive investors with a solid portfolio can consider them if they have a longer time horizon.
Time Horizon
As focused funds comprise only a few stocks, they are highly volatile in the short term. When the market crashes, your fund’s value can take a considerable hit. It is advisable to invest in focused funds only if you have a time horizon of at least five years.
Risk
Multi-cap funds diversify the investment into several stocks and thus reduce the overall risk. Large-cap funds invest in stocks that have a solid standing and are not risky.
However, focused funds invest in a maximum of around 30 stocks and are significantly riskier than other types of equity funds. Thus, you should consider these funds only if your risk tolerance and appetite allow it. In the long term, these funds can beat the market and give higher returns than their counterparts.
Taxation
The tax implication for focused funds is the same as for other equity mutual funds. If you exit the fund before a year, you will have to pay a short-term capital gain tax of 15%. If you hold the fund for more than one year, you get taxed as per the long-term capital gain tax at 10%.
Cost
All AMCs charge an expense ratio for managing your mutual funds. It is expressed as a percentage, and a higher expense ratio can mean a dent in your profits. It is advisable to check the expense ratio before investing in a focused fund.
Investment Goal
Individuals have different financial goals. Focused funds are not for you if you are looking for returns in the short term. They should also not be your primary or first investment instrument. On the other hand, if you are a seasoned investor looking to add something to your portfolio, you can consider focused funds. However, you may want to ensure that you are comfortable with the associated risk.
Fund Manager
Fund managers are the experts who research and handpick the stocks that should comprise a fund. They follow the fund’s progress and make corrections along the way to give the best returns to the investors. Studying the other funds managed by them can help you predict the success of the focused fund that interests you.