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Posted on  May 31, 2024 under  by Divyansh Shah

10 Best Small Cap Mutual Funds to Invest in 2024

Investing in small cap mutual funds has always been an exciting opportunity for those looking to diversify their portfolios and tap into the high growth potential of emerging companies. As we enter 2024, identifying the best small cap mutual funds to invest in India becomes even more crucial. With the Indian economy on a recovery path and technological advancements driving new business opportunities, small-cap mutual funds offer a unique chance to benefit from the dynamism and agility of smaller companies.

What is Small Cap Mutual Funds

Small cap mutual funds are investment vehicles that focus on companies with relatively small market capitalizations, typically between ₹2,000 crores and ₹10,000 crores. These funds are known for their potential to deliver high returns as they invest in smaller, often more dynamic companies with significant room for growth. Unlike large-cap companies, which are already well-established, small-cap firms are in their early stages of development and can offer substantial upside as they expand.

Investing in the best small-cap mutual funds in India can provide Indian investors with an opportunity to diversify their portfolios and capitalize on the growth potential of emerging businesses. However, it's important to remember that with higher growth potential comes increased volatility. Also, there is a risk of economic effects, so careful selection and a long-term perspective are essential when investing in these funds.

10 Best Small Cap Mutual Funds to Invest in 2024

As we enter 2024, let’s highlight the 10 Best Small Cap Mutual Funds, considering 'fund performance' as a key criterion for selection. Each fund’s unique strategy and asset allocation promises to cater to different investor profiles and financial goals.

Overview of Best Small Cap Mutual Funds to Invest in 2024

Here is an overview of the 10 Top Small Cap Mutual Funds and their Expense Ratio, NAV, and Returns.

1. Quant Small Cap Direct Growth

Quant Mutual Fund is one of the best small cap mutual fund under the Equity Mutual Fund Scheme. Investors were allowed to access this programme on April 15, 1996. The current fund manager of the Quant Small Cap Fund Direct Plan-Growth fund is Pushpa Rai.

  • NAV: Rs 271.11
  • Expense Ratio: 0.64% 
  • AUM: Rs 20164.09 Cr
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.1000

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
67.44150.38500.9
Note: Based on Absolute Return

2. Bank of India Small Cap Direct Growth

The Bank of India Mutual Fund introduced the Bank of India Small Cap Fund Direct-Growth equity mutual fund scheme. Investors were allowed to access this plan on March 31, 2008. Currently serving as the fund manager for the Bank of India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth fund is Ajay Khandelwal.

  • NAV: Rs 45.58
  • Expense Ratio: 0.61% 
  • AUM: Rs 1052.37 crore 
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.100 

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
52.02118.18350.07
Note: Based on Absolute Return

3. Nippon India Small Cap Direct Growth

Nippon India Mutual Fund introduced the Equity Mutual Fund Scheme Nippon India Small Cap Fund Direct-Growth, which is one of the best small-cap mutual fund in India 2024. Investors were eligible to access this plan on June 30, 1995. The current fund manager of the Nippon India Small Cap Fund Direct Growth fund is Samir Rachh, Dhrumil Shah.

  • NAV: Rs 174.65
  • Expense Ratio: 0.67%
  • AUM: Rs 50422.78 crore 
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.100

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
73.9161.5251.4
Note: Based on Absolute Return

4. Edelweiss Small Cap Direct Growth

The Edelweiss Mutual Fund introduced the Edelweiss Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Equity Mutual Fund Scheme. Investors were allowed to access this plan on April 30, 2008. Currently serving as the Edelweiss Small Cap Fund Direct Growth fund's fund manager is Harshad Patwardhan.

  • NAV: Rs 42.35
  • Expense Ratio: 0.43%
  • AUM: Rs 3361.40 crore 
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.100

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
48.96118.28299.99
Note: Based on Absolute Return

5. Canara Robeco Small Cap Direct Growth

Canara Robeco Mutual Fund introduced the Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Equity Mutual Fund Scheme. Investors were eligible to access this plan on December 19, 1987. Currently serving as the fund manager for the Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund Direct Growth fund is Cheenu Gupta.

  • NAV: Rs 39.26
  • Expense Ratio:  0.42%
  • AUM: Rs 10085.98 crore 
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.1000

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
43.41117.98296.51
Note: Based on Absolute Return

6. Tata Small Cap Fund Direct Growth

Tata Mutual Fund introduced the Tata Small Cap Fund Direct-Growth equity mutual fund scheme. Investors were eligible to access this plan on June 30, 1995. The Tata Small Cap Fund Direct-Growth fund's current fund manager is Chandraprakash Padiyar.

  • NAV: Rs 67.50
  • Expense Ratio: 0.34%
  • AUM: Rs  6951.59 crore 
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.1000

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
46.95131.36292.77
Note: Based on Absolute Return

7. Kotak Small Cap Direct Growth

Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund introduced the Kotak Small Cap Fund Direct Growth equity mutual fund scheme. Investors were eligible to access this plan on August 5, 1994. Currently serving as the Kotak Small Cap Fund Direct Growth fund's fund manager is Pankaj Tibrewal.

  • NAV: Rs 279.42
  • Expense Ratio: 0.46%
  • AUM: Rs 14815.19 crore 
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.100

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
43.998.99285.5
Note: Based on Absolute Return

8. Invesco India Smallcap Direct Growth

An equity mutual fund scheme called Invesco India Smallcap Fund Direct Growth was introduced by Invesco Mutual Fund. Investors were allowed to access this plan on July 24, 2006. The current fund manager of the Invesco India Smallcap Fund Direct Growth fund is Taher Badshah.

  • NAV: Rs 38.51
  • Expense Ratio: 0.46%
  • AUM: Rs 3964.76 crore 
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.500

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
56.61128.59279.8
Note: Based on Absolute Return

9. Axis Small Cap Fund Direct Growth

Axis Mutual Fund introduced the Equity Mutual Fund Scheme Axis Small Cap Fund Direct Growth. Investors were allowed to access this plan from September 4, 2009. The current fund manager of the Axis Small Cap Fund Direct Growth fund is Ashish Naik.

  • NAV: Rs 105.35
  • Expense Ratio: 0.55%
  • AUM: Rs 20136.63 Cr crore 
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.100

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
40.04102.04265.05
Note: Based on Absolute Return

10. ICICI Prudential Smallcap Direct Growth

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund introduced the Equity Mutual Fund Scheme ICICI Prudential Smallcap Fund Direct Plan Growth. Investors were given access to this plan on October 12, 1993. The current fund managers of the ICICI Prudential Smallcap Fund Direct Plan Growth fund are S Naren, Atul Patel, and Priyanka Khandelwal.

  • NAV: Rs90.84
  • Expense Ratio: 0.66%
  • AUM: Rs 7658.9 crore 
  • Minimum lump sum investment: Rs.100

Returns: 

1Y Return (%)3Y Return (%)5Y Return (%)
45.87161.5262.1
Note: Based on Absolute Return

5 Best Performing Small Cap Mutual Funds

Focusing on the top tier, the 5 Top Performing Small Cap Mutual Funds offer a blend of dynamism and stability with 1 yr Highest Growth.
The top investment options for 2024 are:

5 Best Performing Small Cap Mutual Funds1Yr Return
1. Bandhan Small Cap Direct Growth75.85%
2. Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Direct Growth73.73%
3. ITI Small Cap Direct Growth70.09%
4. Quant Small Cap Direct Growth67.44%
5. Nippon India Small Cap Direct Growth59.97%
Absolute Return taken on 27/05/24

Best Small Cap mutual funds For Long-term investment

Focusing on stability in the long run, the 5 Top Small Cap mutual funds for the long term offer a blend of dynamism and growth with 10 yr Highest Growth.

Best Mutual Funds for the long term10Yr Return
1. Nippon India Small Cap Direct Growth1063.18%
2. SBI Small Cap Fund Direct Growth1024.63%
3. Axis Small Cap Fund Direct Growth755.29%
4. DSP Small Cap Direct Growth746.36%
5. HSBC Small Cap Fund Dir Gr733.46%
Absolute Return taken on 27/05/24

Why to Invest in Small Cap Mutual Funds in 2024

  1. High Growth Potential: Small-cap companies are often in their early stages of growth, which means they have more room to expand than larger, more established companies. By investing in small-cap mutual funds, you're targeting these companies with the potential for significant growth in the future.
  2. Economic Recovery: As India's economy recovers and grows, smaller companies can benefit from increased consumer demand and business expansion opportunities. This economic backdrop can create a favourable environment for small-cap companies to thrive, making it an opportune time to invest in them.
  3. Innovation and Agility: Small-cap companies are known for their innovation and agility. They can quickly adapt to changing market conditions and capitalize on new opportunities, leading to rapid growth.
  4. Diversification: Investing in small-cap mutual funds allows you to diversify your investment portfolio. By spreading your investments across different types of companies, including small caps, you can reduce the overall risk of your portfolio. This diversification can help mitigate the impact of any underperformance in one sector or company.
  5. Long-Term Growth Potential: While small-cap investments may be more volatile in the short term, they have the potential to deliver attractive returns over the long term. By staying invested and riding out the market's ups and downs, you can benefit from the growth of small-cap companies and see your investments grow over time.
Best Small Cap Mutual Funds

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Funds

  • Investment Goals: Understand your investment timeline - short-term or long-term. Small-cap funds are best for long-term investors aiming for growth over 5 years.
  • Expense Ratio: Monitor the expense ratio covering fund management costs. Lower expenses mean more of your money goes into investments rather than fees.
  • Past Performance: Look at how the fund has performed historically to gauge its potential in different market conditions. It does not guarantee future success but gives insights into its track record.
  • Fund Manager Skills: Assess the expertise and experience of the fund manager. Their decisions impact your investment, so choose someone with a solid track record and market insight.
  • Small Cap Fund Portfolio: Analyze the mix of assets in the fund's portfolio composition. Ensure it aligns with your investment goals and it recommended focusing on small Caps with diversified compositions of all sectors of stocks.
  • Direct and Regular Plans: Opt for direct plans to minimize costs by bypassing intermediaries and their commissions. These plans typically have lower expense ratios, maximizing your investment returns.

Tax Considerations for Small Cap Mutual Funds

When it comes to taxes and small-cap mutual funds, there are a few important things to consider. Here's what you need to know:

  • Capital Gains Taxes: Profits from selling your small cap mutual fund shares may be subject to capital gains taxes. Understanding how these taxes work and impact your overall returns is crucial for effective tax planning.
  • Dividend Taxes: If your small-cap fund distributes dividends, these earnings are typically taxed at your regular income tax rate. Be aware of the tax implications of these dividends and plan accordingly.
  • Tax-Efficient Strategies: Some small-cap funds employ tax-efficient strategies to minimize the tax burden on investors. These strategies may include tax-loss harvesting, which involves selling investments at a loss to offset capital gains and reduce taxes.
  • Consulting a Tax Advisor: Given the complexities of tax laws and regulations, consulting with a tax advisor or stock broker like lakshmishree is advisable. They can provide personalized guidance based on your individual financial situation and help you optimize your tax strategy when investing in small cap mutual funds.

How to Start Investing in Small Cap Mutual Funds?

Ready to invest in a small-cap mutual fund? Here’s how you can get started easily with Lakshmishree.

  • Step 1: Download the Shree Varahi app, sign up, and complete your KYC to open your investment account at no cost.
  • Step 2: Once your account is set up, navigate to the mutual fund section in the Shree Varahi app and search for small-cap mutual funds.
  • Step 3: Choose a small-cap mutual fund by reviewing its past performance, risk level, fund size, fees, and investment focus.
  • Step 4: Decide whether you want to invest a regular amount periodically (SIP) or a lump sum. On the fund's page, select "One-time" for a lump sum or "SIP" for investing in instalments.
  • Step 5: Enter the amount of money you wish to invest as SIP or lump sum.
  • Step 6: Arrange your payment. For SIP, you can set up an auto-payment with your bank or UPI. You can pay a lump sum through UPI, net banking, NEFT, or RTGS.
Best Small Cap Mutual Funds

Limitations of Investing in Small Cap Mutual Funds

  1. Higher Volatility: Small-cap stocks tend to experience larger price swings due to market sentiment and lower trading volumes, leading to significant fluctuations in fund value.
  2. Market Sensitivity: Small-cap companies are more vulnerable to market downturns, experiencing sharper declines in tough economic times than larger firms.
  3. Longer Investment Horizon: Investing in small-cap funds requires a longer time horizon for potential growth and returns than other equity mutual funds.
  4. High Volatility: Small-cap funds can exhibit dramatic price fluctuations, posing substantial risks to investors if prices don't align with expectations.
  5. Risky Performance: The performance of small-cap funds is influenced by various factors, including stock selection and market conditions.
  6. Low Liquidity: Small-cap mutual funds often have lower liquidity due to limited institutional investment, low retail investor engagement, and economic effects, making buying or selling units in the market challenging.
    In cases to prevent breaches of industry-wide overseas limits permitted by the RBI, they temporarily suspended investment in the schemes of MAMF (Mirae Asset Technology Fund), leading to no volatility.

Conclusion

Investing in small-cap mutual funds in 2024 offers a promising opportunity for those seeking high growth potential in their portfolios. The dynamic nature of small-cap companies and India's economic recovery and technological advancements create an environment ripe for significant returns. However, it's crucial to acknowledge the inherent risks associated with these investments, such as higher volatility, market sensitivity, and longer investment horizons. By carefully selecting the best small-cap mutual funds, diversifying their portfolios, and maintaining a long-term perspective, investors can effectively capitalize on the growth potential of emerging businesses while mitigating potential downsides.

Also Check

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the Best Small Cap Mutual Funds in India?

The best Small-cap Mutual funds in India are Quant Small Cap, Bank of India Small Cap, Nippon India Small Cap, Edelweiss Small Cap, and Canara Robeco Small Cap, which are known for their consistent and high-return mutual funds in India.

2. What are small-cap mutual funds?

Small-cap mutual funds are investment vehicles that focus on companies with small market capitalizations, typically between ₹2,000 crores and ₹10,000 crores. These funds target smaller, often more dynamic, companies with significant growth potential.

3. Why should I invest in small-cap mutual funds?

Investing in small-cap mutual funds can offer high growth potential, especially during periods of economic recovery. Small-cap companies often innovate quickly and can capitalize on new opportunities, making them attractive for long-term growth.

4. What are the Best Performing Small Cap Mutual Funds 2024

The Top performing small cap mutual funds for investment in 2024 are :

1. Bandhan Small Cap Direct Growth
2. Mahindra Manulife Small Cap Direct Growth
3. ITI Small Cap Direct Growth
4. Quant Small Cap Direct Growth
5. Nippon India Small Cap Direct Growth

5. What are the risks associated with small-cap mutual funds?

The primary risks include higher volatility, market sensitivity, longer investment horizons, and lower liquidity. Small-cap stocks can experience significant price swings and may be more vulnerable during market downturns.

6. How do I choose the best small cap mutual fund?

When choosing a small cap mutual fund, consider factors such as past performance, expense ratio, fund manager's expertise, and the fund's portfolio composition. Ensure the fund aligns with your investment goals and risk tolerance.

7. What is the minimum investment required for small-cap mutual funds?

The minimum investment required can vary by fund. Typically, it ranges from as low as ₹100 to ₹1,000 for lump sum investments. Always check the specific requirements of the fund you are interested in.

Divyansh Shah

Written by Divyansh Shah

Divyansh Shah is a seasoned Risk Analyst with a deep-rooted understanding of financial markets and risk management strategies. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for data-driven insights, Divyansh has honed his skills in identifying and mitigating potential risks within complex financial environments.

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