ELSS, or Equity Linked Savings Scheme, refers to a type of mutual fund that primarily invests in equities and offers tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. This scheme has a mandatory lock-in period of three years, during which investors cannot redeem their investments. This is shorter compared to other tax-saving instruments like Public Provident Fund (PPF) or National Savings Certificates (NSC), which have longer lock-in periods. As the returns from these funds are linked to the performance of the market, they could offer substantial capital appreciation over time.

When it comes to selecting the right Equity Linked Savings Scheme (ELSS) fund for your portfolio, you need to carefully consider several factors.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an ELSS Fund

1. Investment Strategy

• Type of Stocks: Determine whether the fund focuses on large-cap, mid-cap, or small-cap stocks. Large-cap funds tend to be more stable, while mid and small-cap funds may offer higher growth potential but come with increased risk.
• Investment Style: Look for funds that employ different investment styles (e.g., growth vs. value) to enhance diversification within your portfolio.

2. Performance Metrics

• Historical Returns: Analyse the fund’s performance over various time frames (1-year, 3-year, 5-year). Consistency in returns across different market conditions is crucial.
• Rolling Returns: This metric provides a more comprehensive view of performance by averaging returns over different periods, helping to avoid biases from recent performance spikes.

3. Risk Assessment

• Risk Metrics: Consider metrics like the Sharpe ratio (which measures risk-adjusted returns) and standard deviation (which indicates volatility). A higher Sharpe ratio and lower standard deviation are generally favourable for risk-averse investors.
• Fund Manager Expertise: Research the fund manager’s experience and track record. A seasoned manager can significantly impact a fund’s performance through effective decision-making and strategy execution.

4. Expense Ratio

• Lower expense ratios can lead to better net returns over time. Compare the expense ratios of different funds and opt for those that offer good value for their management fees.

Another important consideration is to decide whether you should invest in a single ELSS or multiple ELSS funds. The decision here would depend on your investment goals, risk tolerance, and the overall structure of your portfolio. Here’s a detailed look at the advantages and considerations for both approaches.

Single ELSS Investment

Advantages:

• Simplicity: Investing in a single ELSS fund simplifies management and monitoring. You only need to track one fund’s performance and make decisions based on its results.
• Concentration: A single investment allows you to focus on a specific fund that aligns closely with your investment strategy, potentially leading to better performance if chosen wisely.
• Cost Efficiency: Fewer funds mean lower management fees and expenses associated with maintaining multiple accounts.

Considerations:

• Risk Exposure: Relying on one fund can expose you to higher risk if that fund underperforms or if its strategy does not align with market conditions.
• Lack of Diversification: A single fund may not provide adequate exposure across different sectors or market capitalizations, which could limit potential returns.

Multiple ELSS Investments

Advantages:

• Diversification: By investing in multiple ELSS funds, you can spread your risk across various market segments (large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap) and investment styles. This can help mitigate the impact of any single fund’s poor performance.
• Access to Different Strategies: Different funds may employ varying investment strategies, allowing you to benefit from a broader range of market opportunities.
• Potential for Higher Returns: A diversified portfolio can capture gains from different sectors or market conditions, potentially enhancing overall returns.

Considerations:

• Complexity: Managing multiple funds can be more complex and time-consuming. It requires regular monitoring and rebalancing to ensure that your portfolio remains aligned with your goals.
• Overlapping Holdings: Investing in multiple ELSS funds from different asset management companies (AMCs) may lead to overlapping investments in the same stocks, which could inadvertently increase risk rather than reduce it.
• Limited Tax Benefits: Under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, you can only claim tax deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh per financial year across all eligible investments. Thus, investing in more than one ELSS fund does not increase your tax benefits beyond this limit.

Opting For the Best Approach

1. Assess Your Risk Tolerance: If you are comfortable with higher risk and have a long-term horizon (5+ years), consider diversifying across two or three well-researched ELSS funds. This approach balances potential high returns with reduced risk exposure.
2. Focus on Quality Over Quantity: If you choose to invest in multiple funds, select those managed by reputable AMCs with strong track records. Ensure they have different investment philosophies to maximize diversification benefits.
3. Monitor Performance Regularly: Regardless of whether you choose one or multiple funds, regular monitoring is crucial to adjust your investments based on performance and changing market conditions.

Conclusion

Choosing the right ELSS fund requires thorough research and understanding of your financial goals. When evaluating the right scheme for you, it is also essential to consider how many ELSS investments should be in your portfolio. Whether single or multiple ELSS, both strategies have their merits.

If simplicity and focus are priorities for you, a single ELSS may be prudent. However, if you seek diversification and are willing to manage a more complex portfolio, investing in multiple ELSS funds could be advantageous.