Zebu blog

Tag: equity investing

  • Large Cap vs Mid Cap vs Small Cap: Key Differences That Actually Matter

    You don’t need to be an expert to invest in stocks. But knowing a few simple things makes the whole process a lot less confusing. One of those things is understanding what people mean when they talk about large cap, mid cap, and small cap stocks.

    Sounds technical, right? It’s not.

    It’s just about the size of the company — not the number of employees or buildings, but how much the company is worth on the stock market.

    Let’s break this down in the plainest way possible.

    What’s “Cap” Anyway?

    So, “cap” is short for “market capitalization.” That’s a fancy term for a simple idea.

    You take the price of one share. Multiply that by the number of shares the company has out there. That gives you the total market cap.

    If a company has 10 crore shares and each one is ₹100, the market cap is ₹1,000 crore.

    That’s it. No magic. Just basic math.

    Where Do Large, Mid, and Small Come In?

    Now that we know what market cap is, companies are sorted based on how big that number is.

    In India, there’s a general rule based on rankings:

    • Top 100 biggest companies = Large Cap
    • Ranked 101 to 250 = Mid Cap
    • Ranked 251 and below = Small Cap

    It’s not about the business being good or bad. It’s just where they stand in the pecking order.

    Let’s talk about what each one means for you, the investor.

    Large Cap: The Big Guys

    These are the companies most people have heard of. Names like Reliance, TCS, Infosys. They’ve been around for years, if not decades. They’re part of the system.

    When you invest in large caps, you’re usually getting into stable, well-established businesses. They tend to handle economic ups and downs better. They’ve got experience. They’ve got cash. And they’re usually under a lot of watch — media, analysts, regulators.

    Do they grow fast? Not really. That ship sailed years ago. But they can give you slow, steady returns. And sometimes they pay dividends too. You may not double your money in a year, but it’s not a rollercoaster either.

    They’re the kind of stocks you don’t have to watch every day. You can hold them and go about your life.

    Mid Cap: The Ones on Their Way Up

    Mid caps are interesting. They’re not new, but they’re not giants either. Think of them like fast-growing companies that have proven something — but still have room to run.

    These are businesses that might dominate in a specific region or niche. Maybe they’re expanding. Maybe they’re investing in new tech. They’re not done growing, but they’ve survived the early startup chaos.

    With mid caps, you get a mix. More growth potential than large caps. But more risk too. They might spike in good times and fall in a market dip. They’ve got the energy of small caps with a bit more structure.

    For investors who want something between steady and spicy, mid caps make sense. But you still have to pay attention. One bad quarter can hurt.

    Small Cap: The Wild Cards

    Here’s where it gets interesting. Small cap stocks are the smaller, younger companies that most people don’t know about. They’re new to the game, often under the radar.

    These can be game-changers. Or disasters. Or both — depending on when you get in and how long you stay.

    The appeal? They move fast. They can go from ₹20 to ₹200 in a year if something clicks — new product, new market, investor buzz. But the risk is just as real. They can crash just as fast. Sometimes for no clear reason.

    These stocks aren’t always easy to buy or sell. Volumes are lower. Prices swing more. You have to dig deeper, read reports, understand the business. And still, you’re betting on what might happen.

    Small caps are not for the faint-hearted. But they can offer serious upside if you choose well and time it right.

    So Which One Should You Pick?

    That depends. There’s no perfect answer. It’s about what you want from your investments.

    For those seeking stability, approaching retirement, or preferring not to monitor their portfolio frequently, large caps are a safe place to start.

    Those comfortable with some risk and aiming for higher growth than the industry leaders may find mid caps offer that extra edge.

    Younger investors with time on their side, who can handle market swings and are willing to do thorough research, may find small caps exciting—just be sure not to concentrate your entire investment in them.

    Most people do a mix. Some large caps for the base, some mid caps for growth, and a small slice of small caps for that extra pop.

    Can Companies Change Category?

    Absolutely. A small cap that grows steadily can become a mid cap. A mid cap that performs well year after year might get into the large cap club.

    This isn’t fixed. It shifts as companies succeed or struggle. So your portfolio might shift too.

    That’s why some investors check in every six months or so and make changes. Nothing fancy. Just making sure the balance still matches their comfort level.

    A Few Things to Keep in Mind

    1. Market mood matters.
      In bull markets, mid and small caps often shine. In downturns, large caps usually hold better.
    2. Liquidity can be an issue.
      Small caps might not have enough buyers or sellers at the price you want. That can affect your ability to get in or out.
    3. Noise vs. signal.
      There’s a lot of chatter around small and mid caps. Not all of it is useful. Don’t follow hype blindly.
    4. Track your blend.
      You might start with a certain balance between large, mid, and small. But as prices change, that balance shifts. A quick portfolio check every now and then helps.
    5. Don’t overreact.
      Stocks move. Some days will be red. Others green. Look at the business behind the stock, not just the price today.

    Wrapping It Up

    Large cap, mid cap, small cap — they’re just different sizes of companies. And each one plays a different role in your investing story.

    You don’t need to know everything. You just need to know enough to make decisions that feel right for you. What are you comfortable with? What are your goals? How much time do you have?

    This isn’t about picking the perfect stock. It’s about understanding what kind of ride you’re getting on.

    Some people want the expressway. Others don’t mind the bumpy road. The important part is knowing which vehicle you’re in — and where it’s taking you.

    Disclaimer:
    This blog is for informational use only. It does not offer investment advice or recommendations. Investing in the stock market carries risk. Always do your own research or consult a certified financial advisor before making decisions.

  • Everything You Need To Know About Thematic Mutual Funds – Part 2

    A thematic fund’s portfolio is made up of stocks from companies in different industries that have something to do with the theme of the fund. Some investors might not know how each of these industries is growing. You can decide if certain sectors can help you make a lot of money if you know enough about them and how they relate to the subject of the fund. So, thematic funds are a good choice for investors who like to keep up with the news and are good at researching a wide range of industries. Investors can decide if they want to put their money into a certain topic by keeping an eye on a lot of places and getting useful information.

    4. Things to think about before putting money into theme-based funds

    Investment Goals: Before buying these funds, you should be sure of what you want to do with them. If you want the best return on your theme fund investment, you should invest for more than five years. It’s not hard to see why. Any business needs enough time to reach its full potential. So, when you put money into these funds, you should have long-term goals in mind, like retiring early, paying for your child’s college, etc.

    Investment Risks: The benefits of investing in theme funds may seem appealing, but it’s important to know the risks that come with it. It is a very dangerous way to go. Because of this, people who have never invested before are told not to buy themed funds. Let’s look at the main risks that come with these funds:

    Semi-Diverse Portfolio: Compared to sectoral funds, which don’t offer any variety, a theme fund’s portfolio is a bit more diverse. It does, however, offer fewer ways to spread out your investments than other equity funds, like multi-cap funds, whose portfolios include securities from many different industries. Since these equity funds don’t have a theme, it’s less likely that all the stocks will fall at the same time than it is with thematic funds.

    Some themes could take longer to develop than expected. Even if some of us can see that a theme has a lot of potential in the near future, say in the next four or five years, our predictions are likely to be wrong. It might take longer than we thought. There were a lot of brand-new funds with themes, and many investors hoped to make money from them. Even though infrastructure has been a topic for more than ten years, there hasn’t been much progress. When investing in themed funds, an investor may have to wait up to 20 years to see a profit. There is a risk of time with theme funds.

    Expense Ratio:

    You need to be honest about the costs that cut into your profits. For managing the thematic funds you want to invest in, Asset Management Companies (AMC) will charge you a fee called an expense ratio. This fee is mostly used to pay for the fund’s overhead costs, such as the salary of the fund manager and marketing costs. The fee is charged once a year.

    5. Taxation of Thematic Funds

    What matters are the profits after taxes. You should know how taxes work with that kind of money. The capital gains you made when you sold your theme fund are taxed based on how long you held on to it.

    If you sell your investments within a year, the profits are considered short-term capital gains (STCG), and you have to pay 15% tax on them.

    Long-Term Capital Gain Tax (LTCG):

    Gains from any investment held for more than a year are considered Long-Term Capital Gains and are taxed (LTCG). Gains of up to Rs. 1 lakh are not taxed in a fiscal year. Gains of more than Rs. 1 lakh are taxed at 10%.

    These are the important things to know about Thematic mutual funds. To start investing in them, open your demat account with Zebu today.

  • Everything You Need To Know About Thematic Mutual Funds – Part 1

    Each mutual fund is based on an asset that brings in money. Large-cap funds’ underlying assets are the stocks of some of India’s biggest companies based on market capitalization. In a similar way, thematic funds are made up of stocks of companies that all have something in common with a certain theme.

    For example, a fund with an ESG theme will invest in companies from different industries that have done well in terms of the environment, society, and the way the company is run (from technology to financial services to FMCG to Consumer Durables).

    Because of this, thematic funds are different from traditional investment strategies like market capitalization (large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap), style (value & growth), and sectoral investing (pharma, technology, infrastructure). As long as it has something to do with the topic, it invests in many different industries and market values. SEBI also says that 80% of a company’s total assets must be invested in stocks and securities related to stocks of a certain theme.

    1. What are the pros of investing in thematic funds?
    More options for diversification than sectoral funds.
    When you invest in a sector fund, your portfolio is limited to that sector, so you don’t have any other options for diversification. Your portfolio will suffer if the sector is doing badly for any reason. Thematic funds, on the other hand, invest based on a theme and may include stocks from companies in different industries. This gives you a bit of diversity. For example, think about a fund whose main focus is on manufacturing. This fund puts its money into a wide range of engineering, chemical, and construction businesses. So, even if businesses in one area aren’t doing well at a certain time, businesses in other areas will keep your portfolio from falling apart in a big way.

    2.Returns that beat the market

    If the investor chooses the right theme to invest in, thematic funds may produce amazing returns. Still, we need to realise that getting the theme right is harder than it seems. It requires that you keep an eye on the things you’re interested in and pay attention to the news and headlines all the time. If, after all your hard work, you really nail the topic, thematic funds could pay off in a big way for you.

    3. Who is a good fit for thematic funds?

    Investors with a high risk tolerance:
    Thematic funds are one of the high-riskmutual funds. When a portfolio is put together with a theme in mind, it limits the kinds of investments that can be made. It would only be able to put money into companies with shares in that area. So your portfolio has a little bit of everything. If for some reason this theme doesn’t come true, there is a big chance of losses. So, these ETFs should only be bought by investors who can handle high risk.

    Investors Who Want Long-Term Returns: It might take a while for a subject to reach its full potential. For example, we’ve known since the early 1990s that software and internet technologies had a lot of potential. But now, 20 years later, we can really see how these ideas work in the real world. So, it takes time and hard work to turn these topics into profitable investments. If you’re an investor who wants to make money over the long term, thematic funds may be a good choice for you. People who are just starting out with investing are told not to put all of their money into themed funds right away.

  • Everything You Need To Know About Diversified Equity Mutual Fund

    A well-diversified equity fund, which is usually just called a “diversified equity fund,” invests in companies of all sizes, no matter how big or small they are.

    Diversified Equity Mutual Fund: What is it?
    A diversified equity fund puts its money into companies of all sizes and in all industries. It spreads investments across the stock market so that investors can make the most money possible while minimising risk. Unit-linked insurance plans (ULIPs), mutual funds, and other investment firms all offer them.

    There are many different types and sizes of companies on the stock exchange.

    1)large caps
    2)mid caps,
    3)small caps.

    How does a fund with a wide range of stocks work?

    A diversified equity fund also invests in companies from different sectors and industries. So, it can take part in the growth of the whole economy and isn’t tied to any one sector or industry.

    They can choose to put their money into businesses from –
    Pharmaceuticals
    Technology
    Engineering
    Automobiles
    Power/Services
    Services for banking and finance
    Gas and oil

    Simply put, a diversified equity fund invests in companies from different sectors, industries, and sizes of the market.

    Diversified equity funds, which include both ULIPs and mutual funds, are created so that investors can profit from the financial growth of companies of all sizes and in all industries and sectors. The rules for investing in ULIPs and mutual funds are different, and investors are told this in product literature and on company websites.

    Who does it work best for?
    Diversified equity funds can be helpful for investors who like stocks and have long-term goals like planning for retirement or saving for a child’s education or wedding. They can be used on their own or as part of a portfolio with other investments.