22 hrs ago
Diversified Equity Funds Fall, but None Are Negative Over Five Years
Some diversified equity mutual funds had lost value so far in 2026.
The weakest one listed was ICICI Prudential Value Fund, down 12.35% by October 7.
Looking back three years, only Samco Flexi Cap Fund was still down, by 3.70%.
It was also down 4.76% this year.
But it was not one of the 10 weakest funds for the year so far.
Over five years, none of the active diversified equity funds in the analysis had negative returns.
The article says investors should look at a fund’s longer record and risks, not just its recent results.
A positive past return does not guarantee future performance.
As of October 7, 2026, ICICI Prudential Value Fund had the weakest YTD return at -12.35%.
All 10 funds listed among the weakest YTD performers had returns between -10.55% and -12.35%.
Samco Flexi Cap Fund was the only active diversified equity fund in the analysis with a negative three-year return, at -3.70%.
Samco Flexi Cap Fund was also down 4.76% YTD, but was not among the 10 weakest YTD performers.
No active diversified equity funds in the analysis had negative five-year returns; the article advises assessing more than recent performance.
- Who
- Diversified equity mutual funds, including the listed funds.
- What
- The article compares funds with negative year-to-date and three-year returns and reports none had negative five-year returns.
- Where
- India; the article covers Indian mutual funds.
- When
- Returns were reported as of October 7, 2026.
- Why
- To show how fund performance differs across time periods and encourage investors to consider factors beyond recent returns.
Short-term performance
Longer-term perspective
How to assess fund performance
Short-term performance
The article identifies multiple funds with negative YTD returns, including 10 funds down more than 10%.
Longer-term perspective
The article notes that only one fund was negative over three years and none over five years, and cautions against judging funds solely by recent performance.
Meaning of positive longer-term returns
Short-term performance
A positive longer-term return can provide a different picture from a fund’s recent weakness.
Longer-term perspective
A positive past return does not prove future outperformance; investors should also consider consistency, benchmark performance, portfolio concentration, investment style, and risk.
Key facts
- YTD leader among weakest performers
- ICICI Prudential Value Fund: -12.35%
- Second-weakest YTD performer
- Quantum Value Fund: -11.95%
- Third-weakest YTD performer
- Parag Parikh ELSS Tax Saver Fund: -11.78%
- Weakest three-year performer
- Samco Flexi Cap Fund: -3.70%
- Samco Flexi Cap Fund YTD return
- -4.76%
- Negative five-year returns
- No active diversified equity funds in the analysis
- Data source
- Morningstar; direct plans; returns as of October 7, 2026
Sources
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