* Period ending 30th September, 2025, ** Three-year period, *** Rolling five-year returns of all the Multicap PMSes reporting to PMS Bazaar, **** For rolling five year periods from inception till date, ***** Five-year Period
In September 2025, the constructive medium-term view remained intact, supported by the RBI’s upgrade on India’s FY26 GDP growth to 6.8%. Trade-related concerns from the recent US tariffs have been partly offset by India’s proactive pursuit of new trade partnerships. While the Mutual Fund industry recorded its first negative flow of FY26 due to debt outflows (₹43,146 crore), Net Equity Inflows of ₹30,422 crore underscored continued faith in equities, particularly through steady SIP contributions and interest in small-cap funds. Overall, despite persistent foreign selling and global uncertainties, the market demonstrated resilience in September, rebounding from August’s correction, aided by policy-driven optimism—particularly around GST reforms and expectations of sustained domestic demand.
In September, the benchmark S&P BSE 500 TRI rose by 1.2%. Against that, Sameeksha PMS (Portfolio Management Service = Separately Managed Accounts) was up by 0.3% (net of all fees and expenses), indicating an underperformance of 0.9%; while having cash levels of 13% at the start of the month and 8.5% at the end of the month.
From the fifty-five rolling five year periods that we have completed, what stands out the most is the consistency of alpha generation across various periods. This stability indicates that the portfolio’s performance is not reliant on isolated stock picks or favorable market timing. Rather, it reflects a disciplined and repeatable investment process. The rolling return analysis reinforces that temporary market conditions do not drive the outcomes but are the result of a reliable, long-term approach to investing. We discuss the data in more detail later in this letter.
This consistent performance is further validated when benchmarked against the broader industry. When compared with the entire Multicap PMS universe reporting to PMS Bazaar, our strategy has consistently ranked in the top decile for five-year returns over fifty-five consecutive months.
Sameeksha Domestic AIF (Alternative Investment Fund = “Hedge Fund”) also continues to deliver top-notch performance, having recently completed three and half years of operating history. This AIF ranks right up at number two out of forty-five Long-Only AIFs reporting their performance to PMS Bazaar. Our AIF was down by 0.14% (post fees, expenses and taxes), indicating an underperformance of 1.4% over the benchmark. We compare our performance with some of the highly recommended mutual funds. We have compared returns, the Sharpe Ratio, as well as upside and downside capture ratios.
We summarize key aspects of our performance as follows:
PMS Performance and other details
Three important things must always be kept in mind when looking at performance data. First, for funds such as ours that do not follow a model portfolio strategy, the performance of individual clients over different durations is important to examine. Second, some PMSes may charge fees outside the PMS, which could make their performance data non-comparable to ours after fees. Third, it is important to look at not only portfolio returns but also risk-adjusted ratios. We provide data to address all three points later in this note.
Aggregate Portfolio Performance and ranking on a rolling period basis
Rolling returns are a more useful indicator of consistency in performance versus single-period returns. For the rolling five-year periods applicable from March 2021 till date, Sameeksha PMS has delivered aggregate annualized alpha 100% of the time (55 out of 55 observations), ranging from ~5% to ~16%. For the rolling three-year periods applicable from January 2020 till date, Sameeksha PMS has delivered aggregate annualized alpha 100% of the time (69 out of 69 observations), ranging from ~1% to ~23%. (Table 1). For both rolling five and three-year periods covered in Table 1, alpha has averaged around 9.4% and 10% respectively.
To analyze the rolling five-year and three-year returns, we did an insightful exercise, analyzing average five-year and three-year rolling returns across different time frames.
The table below (Table 2) presents Sameeksha PMS’s portfolio performance using rolling five-year and three-year returns. This method evaluates returns over overlapping periods ending on each date within a given time range. By averaging these rolling returns over different lookback periods, we gain a deeper understanding of how consistently the portfolio has delivered value over time, compared to the BSE 500 TRI benchmark.
The results reveal a strong and persistent pattern of outperformance. Across all measured periods, average three-year or five-year rolling returns have consistently outpaced the benchmark. What stands out in particular is the stability of alpha across different lookback periods. This consistency suggests that the portfolio’s success is not driven by isolated bets or favorable market timing, but rather by a disciplined and repeatable process. The rolling return framework helps illustrate that this performance is not a result of temporary market positioning but instead reflects a reliable, long-term approach to investing.
Risk Adjusted Ratios: Not all returns are the same, Higher Returns at lower Risk
When compared on a risk-adjusted basis, our PMS has shown an even stronger performance. The Information Ratio (IR) measures the excess return of a portfolio over a benchmark per unit of active risk. A higher Information Ratio suggests better risk-adjusted performance.
Moreover, Upside Capture measures how well a fund performs as compared to a benchmark when the benchmark has positive returns. A higher upside capture ratio (>100%) indicates that the fund captures more of the benchmark’s positive movements. Whereas, Downside Capture measures how well a fund performs compared to a benchmark when the benchmark has negative returns. A lower downside capture ratio (<100%) indicates that the fund preserves capital better during market downturns. (Table 3A).
Furthermore, other risk-adjusted returns – Sharpe ratio is also significantly higher. The Sortino ratio measures the risk-adjusted return of an investment, focusing only on the downside risk. A higher Sortino ratio indicates better risk-adjusted returns, particularly concerning downside risk. (Table 3B).
Aggregate Portfolio Returns over various time periods
Sameeksha PMS has delivered a substantial aggregate annual alpha of 69.6% over BSE500 TRI over the ten financial years (including the current incomplete financial year), implying an average alpha of 7% since inception (Table 4).
It is important to note that we have maintained relatively higher levels of cash (12.6% on average over the entire period since inception) from time to time throughout the management of the portfolio. Notwithstanding the same, from inception, over five years and three years respectively, we have generated returns of 22%, 28.3% and 27.2% in INR terms and 18.3%, 23.6%, and 23.7% in USD terms, thus generating substantial alpha over the Indian benchmark BSE500 TRI. Also, we have delivered strong returns relative to benchmark across various key time periods (Figure 1 and Table 5).
Performance within the PMS Universe
We continue to maintain our top rankings both within the multicap PMS universe as well as the entire PMS universe for key periods of three and five years. The multicap PMS universe rankings are more relevant to us since we follow the multicap strategy.
For rolling three-year periods applicable since January 2020, we have been ranked among the multicap universe in the Top Decile 60.9% of the time (42 out of 69 observations) and in the Top Quartile 97.1% of the time (67 out of 69 observations). For rolling five-year periods applicable to our entire operating history, we have been ranked among the multicap universe in the Top Quartile 100% (55 out of 55 observations) and Top Decile 100% of the time (55 out of 55 observations). (Tables 6 and 7)
We present our rankings among the multicap PMSes across all AUM sizes. Within this universe, we are 11th out of 120 PMSes for the five year period and 12th out of 167 PMSes for three-year period, highlighting our superior performance over the long term periods (Table 8). Among the multicap universe across all AUM sizes, we are consistently ranked in the Top Decile for the five-year period for 55 out of 55 observations, reflecting well on the consistency of our performance.
We also want to share our ranking among all Multicap PMSes having an AUM of more than or equal to INR 100 crs. Within this universe, we are ranked 9th out of 87 PMSes for the five-year period and 12th out of 110 PMSes for the three-year period (Table 9).
Performance Comparison with Select Mutual Funds Favored by Investors
We compare our returns with a group of mutual funds favored by investors across various categories. This ensures that our performance assessment is both relevant and insightful, focusing on funds that align with investor preferences. We have achieved one of the lowest downside capture ratios compared to the mutual funds we analyze, reflecting our strong emphasis on risk management and minimizing losses during market downturns. Over a five-year period, we have delivered superior returns compared to these mutual funds, both in terms of CAGR as well as risk-adjusted returns, showcasing our ability to generate consistent and sustainable performance (Table 10).
Returns of Individual Portfolios
Because we don’t follow a model portfolio strategy, the performance of individual clients is far more important than overall portfolio aggregate returns (Figure 2). For investors who have been with us for five years or more, Sameeksha PMS has returned a very substantial alpha with an average annualized alpha of approx. 6% for the five years ending 30th September, 2025. Similarly, for investors who have been with us for three years or more, Sameeksha PMS has returned substantial alpha with an average annualized alpha of approx. 10% for the three years ending 30th September, 2025. The Figure below shows the average annualized returns and alpha over different periods of time of all the clients as on 30th September, 2025.
Performance Of PMS Over The Covid Timeline (Pre, During, And Post)
The COVID-19 pandemic induced significant volatility in the equity markets. Hence, it is useful to look at the performance across three time slices: Pre-COVID, During Covid, and Post-Covid. Sameeksha PMS has outperformed the benchmark across all three time periods with meaningful alpha (Table 11). This consistency of performance may be an important factor in comparing us with the other funds.
Aggregate Portfolio Performance on a financial year and calendar year basis
For September, Sameeksha PMS has slightly underperformed the benchmark BSE 500 TRI by 1%. For Financial Year 2025-26, we have outperformed BSE500 TRI by 1.3%. Looking at our performance over the financial years (Figure 3), we have outperformed our benchmark in eight out of ten financial years. Key however, is that the sum of outperformance of 79.4% in those eight years far exceeds the sum of underperformance of 9.8% in the remaining two years. We have successfully outperformed in the previous financial year, marking seven consecutive years of generating alpha including the incomplete FY 2026.
For the Calendar Year 2025, we have outperformed the benchmark BSE500 TRI by 1.5%. Looking at our performance over calendar years (Figure 4), we have outperformed the benchmark in seven out of ten calendar years, and the sum of outperformance of 89.7% in seven years far exceeds the sum of underperformance of 16.5% in the remaining three years.
It is important to note that we delivered this alpha despite maintaining an average cash level of 12.6% across the ten financial years.
Cumulative Performance versus the benchmark
Sameeksha PMS’s outperformance over its benchmark has continued to widen positively over the years. An investment of Rs. 100 with us since inception (April 2016) would have grown to Rs. 653, far outpacing what one would have earned by investing in a fund that achieved benchmark returns (Figure 5).
Analyzing the sector performance during the month
The portfolio underperformed the benchmark in September 2025. Positive contributions came primarily from Automobile & Ancillaries, Trading, and Chemicals, with additional support from sectors such as Finance, Retailing, Telecom, Bank, Power, and Gas Transmission relative to the benchmark. However, performance was dragged down by significant weakness in Healthcare, IT and Diamond & Jewellery, along with notable headwinds from Aviation, FMCG, and Plastic Products. Overall, while the portfolio had strong relative performance it was not enough to offset the large negative contributions from the major underperformers. This broad-based weakness in key, typically large, sectors resulted in the portfolio’s net underperformance for the month.
AIF Performance and other details
Aggregate Fund Returns over various time periods
Since inception, we have maintained relatively higher levels of cash (15% on average over the entire period from inception) from time to time throughout the management of the fund. Notwithstanding the same, from inception, over three years and two years, we have generated returns of 20.4%, 25.3% and 19.4% in INR terms and 15.2%, 21.8% and 15.5% in USD terms, beating the benchmark BSE500 TRI returns and ETF tracking S&P 500 index, respectively, after fees and taxes. (Table 12).
Aggregate Fund Performance on a Financial Year and Calendar Year basis
For FY26, Sameeksha AIF has outperformed the benchmark BSE 500 TRI by generating 7.7% returns against the benchmark BSE500TRI returns of 7.2%. Looking at our performance over the financial years (Table 13), we have outperformed our benchmark in FY 2023, FY 2024, and FY 2025, and we continue to outperform in the current incomplete FY 2026.
For the Calendar year 2025, we have outperformed the benchmark BSE 500 TRI by 2.5%. Despite being a new fund, we were still able to produce alpha for calendar years 2022, 2023, and 2024 and outperformed the benchmark BSE500 TRI by 2.2%, 20.3% and 4.4% respectively. (Table 14)
Risk Adjusted Ratios
When compared on a risk-adjusted basis, our AIF has shown an even stronger performance. The Information Ratio (IR) measures the excess return of a portfolio over a benchmark per unit of active risk. A higher Information Ratio (IR) suggests better risk-adjusted performance.
Moreover, Upside Capture measures how well a fund performs as compared to a benchmark when the benchmark has positive returns. A higher upside capture ratio (> 100%) indicates that the fund captures more of the benchmark’s positive movements. Whereas, Downside Capture measures how well a fund performs compared to a benchmark when the benchmark has negative returns. A lower downside capture ratio (< 100%) indicates that the fund preserves capital better during market downturns. (Table 15A)
Furthermore, other risk-adjusted returns – Sharpe ratio is also significantly higher. The Sortino ratio measures the risk-adjusted return of an investment, focusing only on the downside risk. A higher Sortino ratio indicates better risk-adjusted returns, particularly concerning downside risk. (Table 15B).
Performance within the AIF Universe
We present our rankings among Long Only Category III AIFs. For the period ending 30th September, 2025, we are ranked 2nd out of 45 AIFs for the three-year period, 7th out of 71 AIFs for the two-year period, and 12th out of 88 AIFs for the one-year period (Table 16). Sameeksha has been Top Decile consistently in the last three years. Because there is a lot of divergence in the way funds report their returns (post-exp & tax; post-exp, pre-tax; gross returns, and post-exp & tax pre-perf. fees &), we are doing a comparison on gross return basis to cover the entire applicable universe of funds.
Cumulative Performance versus the benchmark
Sameeksha AIF’s outperformance over its benchmark has continued to widen positively since inception. An investment of Rs. 100 with us since inception (Feb 10, 2022) would have grown to Rs. 196, far outpacing what one would have earned by investing in a fund that achieved benchmark returns (Figure 6).
Disclaimer – The information contained in this update is provided by our fund accounting platform and is not audited. This document is for informational purposes only and is not intended for solicitation to residents of the United States or any other jurisdiction that would subject Sameeksha Capital or its affiliates to any registration requirement within such jurisdiction or country. It does not constitute an offer to buy or sell securities or financial instruments. Recipients are advised to conduct their own research and seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.
