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Absolute returns may mislead as it captures point-to-point returns "LOOK at different periods. If the performance is still bad, look at peer performance" Anil Rego Founder and CEO, Rights Horizons

DEPENDING on market conditions, new fund offers (NFOs) and existing schemes of mutual funds will throw up varied returns. As an investor, worst fears come true when your fund shows below-par returns or negative returns.
Should an investor react to point-to-point returns or should he/she wait to see regular performance to spot the dud fund?
Experts advise that there is no `magical' way to decide whether a fund is a lemon but ask investors to use different parameters to adjudge its success or failure.
Absolute figures may mislead: If your mid-cap fund is down 12 per cent in a one-year horizon that does not mean that the fund manager is fleecing you.
Comparing absolute returns may be misleading because they capture pointto-point returns. The first step is to look at relevant index or benchmark, such as BSE Midcap.

“But then, if the fund shows underperformance, don't give up fully on it.
Look at different periods. If the performance is still bad, look at peer performance. It may well be that the markets were soft during a single period due to which the fund's absolute performance for say 12 months looks poor. As an investor, if you see that the fund does not have sufficient historical data, you have two choices -stay or exit,“ said Anil Rego, founder and chief executive officer of Rights Horizons, a financial consulting firm. Stay put or exit immediately? That is a timeless question. Research and different studies point out that investors attach emotion to their investments, even if it is a mutual fund. As a thumb rule, if your money in an NFO does not increase in three years, it could be time to review the investment.

Abhinav Angirish, managing director of Abchlor Investment Advisors, says if the investors' patience is running out, it's time to say bye-bye. “You have to admit it was a bad investment for you as you could not make money. Take a hit and then take a fresh call,“ he said.

Admittedly, certain categories of funds like thematic funds or sector funds are riskier bets than a plain vanilla diversified fund that has no bias towards a particular sector or theme.
The possibility of disappointment is higher in the thematic/sector funds, experts pointed out.
Other factors: Due to fund manager change or takeover by another fund management company, investors should pay more attention. If the sole reason for your investing in a fund was due to star manager who has quit, any below-par performance in the fund would make an investor anxious.

“It is very rare that a fund or a category of funds continue to perform badly over long stretches of time.
Do not take decisions based on six-month time periods.
One thing should be clear.
A mutual fund manager has to be given time to perform. But if he/she still can't, then investors have every reason to be angry,“ said Ramanathan K, chief investment officer-single manager, ING Investment Management (India).