Category: Finance

Recently, I posted a video about investing in a Portfolio Management Service (PMS) fund, which received a lot of attention and queries. Many viewers were curious about the details of the fund, so I decided to write this blog to explain

1. Why I chose Wright Research PMS
2. My criteria for selection
3. How the fund has been performing so far (just 20 days in it as of now)

Why I Chose Wright Research PMS

When searching for the right PMS fund, I had three main criteria:

1. Quant-Based Approach: I believe technology and data-driven strategies are the future of investing. A fund leveraging these tools stands a better chance of outperforming traditional methods.
2. Medium-Sized, Multi Cap Fund: I wanted an agile fund (not too small or large) that is not limited to any single sector or Cap Size. Hence I looked for AUM between 100-1000cr & Multi Cap Fund.
3. Good Past Performance and Credible Fund Managers: Unlike Mutual Funds, PMS is largely driven by its Fund Manager. Their outlook, vision & competence plays a critical role in PMS performance. So, I looked for PMS funds with good track record of at least 3 years & a fund manager with distinguished record.

Wright Research ticked all these boxes. Despite being relatively new (their PMS launched in August 2023), their quant focussed Smallcase offerings have consistently been top-rated over the past 4 years. Their transition into PMS funds seemed natural, leveraging their expertise and proven methodologies.

What Worked in Favor of Right Research

1. Performance: Wright Research has been among top performing PMS since their inception 16 months ago. They have delivered enviable returns in bullish market and have been fairly conservative during the bearish cycles.
2. Transparency: Unlike other PMS funds I evaluated, they provided comprehensive data during the decision-making process. This helped me build a lot of confidence in their data driven strategies.
3. Risk Profiling: During all our conversations, they emphasised on their focus on managing risk. Their numbers are not stellar in bearish cycles, but but still high enough from benchmark for me to go ahead with them.
4. Rapid Growth: They started 2024 with ₹60 crore in AUM and closed the year at nearly ₹400 crore. While growth is no performance indicator, it reflects their ability to confidence in their strategies to attract & retain investors.
5. Impressive Fund Manager: Sonam Srivastava, the fund manager, has an impressive track record.
6. Ease of Onboarding: The onboarding process with Right Research was quick and hassle-free, completed within two days. In contrast, other PMS funds I considered seemed reluctant to even acquire new customers and had slow processes with minimal data sharing.
7. The Startup of PMS: With their focus on technology & aggressive growth, led by a young & talented manager, betting on Wright Research felt like investing in a promising startup. So I went ahead with them.

Performance Update

It’s only been 15-20 days since I started, so it’s too early to draw conclusions. Here’s a snapshot of the current performance:

• Factor Fund: Benchmark at -2.84%; my portfolio at -2.28%.
• Alpha Fund: Benchmark at -2.84%; my portfolio at -3.17%.

Due to current bearish market conditions, the team is deploying funds gradually over 1-2 months. Of the ₹50 lakh I invested, ₹22 lakh is in debt funds for now. This phased approach aligns with their risk mitigation strategy.

Why PMS Over Mutual Funds: My Expectations

Interestingly, the decision to finalise PMS came from the expectation vs performance of our MF portfolio. Our family has a mutual fund portfolio of around 30 funds managed by a financial advisor. I noticed, that out of these 30, 10 MF (33%)  are performing mediocrely (they are not even in top 10 of their respective category). But we are still pretty content with the kind of returns we are getting. Our advisor set long term expectation of 14-16% over a period of 5-10 years. And we are at 20%. So why complain! Plus, we come from a background of investing only in FDs. For us, this is a major jump.

This is how my expectations from equity markets look like

1. Sensex or Nifty Index should deliver around 12-14% on next 10 years or so.
2. MF should do Index +2-3%, that is 14-16%.
3. PMS should do MF +3-4%, that is, 18-20% (post tax, post fee)

Anything above this is bonus. In worst case, I believe I might end up with FD like returns, which I am ok with.

Final Thoughts

Investing in a PMS fund requires a mix of calculated decisions and gut instinct. While other PMS funds had better historical returns, I chose Wright Research for their quant-focused approach, transparency & growth potential. For me, this is a 3-5 year journey, and I’m optimistic about the outcome. If you’re considering PMS investments, assess your financial goals, risk appetite, and expectations. And remember, this is a long term game. Have questions or want to share your experiences? Drop a comment below.

Thank you for reading, and happy investing!

As someone deeply invested in the world of finance, health was a topic I kept putting off discussing. But the truth is, it deserves center stage. While wealth management often takes the spotlight, health is equally, if not more, important—yet we frequently neglect it.
In the last few months, I have had experiences, that has made me relook at my priorities, with health taking a front seat now.

Health vs. Wealth: A Comparison

During a recent discussion with friends,  two intriguing ideas stood out:

1. Wealth Growth can be put on Autopilot: Once wealth crosses a certain threshold & is well-managed, it continues to grow with minimal intervention. Even if you withdraw amount from your growing corpus, as long as the rate of withdrawal is lower than rate of growth, your wealth will keep on growing. And you will end up passing it on to your future generations. But not your health. Health can’t be put on autopilot.
2. Health Can’t be Outsourced: You can give your wealth to a professionals, who can take care of it for you. Perhaps do a better job than you. But you can’t outsource your health. You have to put in your time, your work. There is not shortcut to it.

This stark difference highlights why prioritizing health is crucial. Unlike wealth, health deteriorates without active maintenance. It’s a lifelong & daily responsibility.

My Journey of Neglect and Realization

At 35, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of managing my health. There were phases where I was committed to fitness—so much so that running 20 kilometers felt effortless. But then, life happened. Poor planning and an overwhelming focus on building my business led to extended periods of inactivity. The effects were inevitable. Today, my knees remind me of their importance even during a simple 2-kilometer run, and I often find myself short of breath during sports—things that used to bring me joy.

This realization hit hard. It became clear that investing time in my health wasn’t just important; it was essential. I’ve since started treating health as a non-negotiable commitment—just like any sound financial investment.

Looking at Health Using Eisenhower Matrix

I think most of us have a tendency to get lost in the urgents of life, and neglect the importants. In the Eisenhower matrix, health for me should be in Important-Not Urgent box. But becuase urgent takes priority on a normal day, I kept on neglecting it. Till it came to the point of Important-Urgent. I dont want to make this mistake again.

My Approach to Investing In Health Now

1. Small SIPs – Patiently, Consistently: I now dedicate 30-40 minutes, 4-6 days a week, to activities that improve my physical well-being. My target is not a chiselled, awe striking physique but a healthy lifestyle that ensures I can enjoy things I do.
2. Diversify – For a Balanced & Happier Life: I make sure I dont just stick to one thing. I play some sports once or twice a week, run once or twice a week, and do yoga or mobility or strength training a couple of times. This keeps the boredom away, and gives the much needed rests as well.

Also, just like SIPs of finance, the results aren’t immediate. This is a lifetime SIP for your body, and the returns come in the form of better energy, resilience, and overall quality of life.

The Bigger Picture

Imagine this: you work tirelessly, accumulate significant wealth, and reach a stage where you’re ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor. But poor health stands in the way, forcing you to spend your time and wealth in hospitals instead of pursuing your passions.

While certain health challenges, like accidents or unforeseen illnesses, are beyond our control, much of our well-being is within our hands. Small, consistent efforts can vastly improve our quality of life and help us avoid preventable issues.

A Balanced Perspective

Money is important. Not doubt there. But it’s not the only currency that matters. Time is the ultimate currency, and nothing consumes it faster than bad health. By investing in your health today, you ensure that you can enjoy the wealth and time you’ve worked so hard to earn.

Start small but stay consistent. Your future self will thank you.