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MarketsEconomic TimesMay 23, 2026· 1 min read

Bandhan Small Cap Leads Peer Group in Risk-Adjusted Returns

Bandhan Small Cap Fund achieved the highest Sharpe ratio over three years among small-cap schemes, indicating superior risk-adjusted returns. Other funds, including ITI Small Cap, Invesco India Smallcap, and two small-cap index funds, also demonstrated strong performance with balanced risk metrics.

Bandhan Small Cap Fund has emerged as a top performer within its category, demonstrating the highest Sharpe ratio over a three-year period. This metric signifies superior risk-adjusted returns, indicating the fund's ability to generate higher returns for each unit of risk taken compared to its peers. The analysis highlights that actively managed small-cap funds, including ITI Small Cap Fund and Invesco India Smallcap Fund, also posted strong performance with favorable risk metrics. Furthermore, the assessment identified two small-cap index funds among the top five for risk-adjusted returns. Their inclusion underscores the growing efficiency and competitive performance of passive investment strategies even within the traditionally alpha-rich small-cap segment. These findings suggest a broader trend of improved risk management and potentially more efficient pricing across certain pockets of the small-cap market, offering investors options across both active and passive management styles. The strong performance of these funds is particularly notable given the inherent volatility often associated with smaller capitalization companies. High Sharpe ratios in this segment can attract increased capital inflows, potentially influencing valuations and liquidity dynamics within the small-cap universe. For investors, these results provide valuable data points for portfolio construction, balancing growth potential with prudent risk exposure in a market segment known for its higher beta.

Analyst's Take

The strong risk-adjusted performance in small-cap funds, including index trackers, suggests increasing market efficiency in this traditionally less liquid segment. This could lead to a 'chasing performance' effect, potentially driving up valuations prematurely for top-tier small-caps before a broader economic recovery truly solidifies. Investors should monitor whether these gains are sustainable or if they reflect a temporary rotation into growth-oriented segments during periods of uncertainty.

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Source: Economic Times