An individual investor tracks the change in the net asset value of a mutual fund over a period of time to assess its performance. Experts however, believe that the degree of risk taken by the mutual fund to achieve that return should also be factored in to ascertain the fund's success.

Evaluating the risk factor is integral while making an investment, more so when picking up equity. Risk and returns run parallel, and the fund manager's main task is to strike equilibrium between the two to maximize returns.

Mutual funds need to be assessed on a risk adjusted basis - this criterion for judging the performance of a mutual fund gives an understanding of the risk a fund has taken to earn its returns. A high risk adjusted return reflects a good performance. The Sharpe ratio defines risk adjusted returns in a simple formula: the excess of returns over a risk-free rate divided by the standard deviation of returns over a stipulated time period.

A study of equity funds in India based on this formula, judged on their performance after the stock market recovered in June, and up to November 2006, showed Birla SunLife's Frontline Equity Fund as the front-runner. With absolute returns at 55%, its risk adjusted returns are a notch higher at 57%. Its total assets are Rs.115 crore, of which 88% was invested in equity. It selected amongst others, Infosys and Mahindra and Mahindra when it was launched in August 2002, and has added United Spirits, VSNL, Grasim, Sterlite, IOB and UTI Bank recently to its portfolio.

The Service Industries Fund from ICICI Prudential also shares a risk adjusted return of 57%, and an annual return of 61%. 96% of its 367.28 crore assets are invested in equities, a fraction in debt, and the remaining in cash and current assets. Its portfolio comprises Tech Mahindra, United Phosphorus, Container Corporation, Infosys, Raymond, Siemens, CMC and ICICI Bank.

Reliance NRI Equity, a scheme exclusively for NRIs also has a fair risk-adjusted return of 56% against an actual return of 58%. 83% of its assets of Rs.1, 16.51 crore are concentrated in equity and the remaining in cash. Infosys, Reliance, HPCL, HLL, Tata Motors, Indian Overseas Bank, TCS and Suzlon comprise its portfolio.

HDFC Growth Fund has a risk-adjusted fund of 55% and an annual return of 56%.Its assets of Rs.359.56 crore are invested in equities (97%), and the rest in reverse repo transactions. Divi's Laboratories, Infosys, SBI, BHEL, GE Shopping, Hanung Toys, Global Vectra and Kansai Nerolac were selected by this fund for its portfolio.

The Rs.2, 035.55 crore India Special Situations Fund from Fidelity did not fare well as per the risk-adjusted ratio of 53% , and 59% annual returns during the period. It has invested heavily in equity with ICICI Bank, SBI, Satyam Computers, Bajaj Auto and Dr Reddy's comprising a sizeable portion of its portfolio.

A below average performance came from JM Emerging Fund Leaders with a risk adjusted ratio of 8%, and a return of only 15%. Its assets total Rs.55.61 crore, and carry equity - cash instruments ratio of 73: 27. It has picked fresh stocks from Apollo Tyres, GE Shipping, India Cements and Mahindra & Mahindra.

A poor showing from Rs. 88.16 crore UTI Thematic Mid Cap Fund was reflected in its risk adjusted return of 19%, and an actual return of 40%. It has an equity:current asset ratio investment of 87:13. 30% of its assets are invested in IVRCL Infrastructure, Thermax, Kalyani Steels, BEML and Gammon India.

With just Rs.12.2 crore assets, the Sahara Mid Cap earned 22% risk-adjusted returns, against annual returns of 31%. Its portfolio comprises Exide Industries, JHS Sevendgaard Laboratories, Accel Frontline,TCS, Shree Digvijay Cement, Crompton Greaves, Aditya Birla Nuvo and Century Textiles

Taurus Bonanza has a Rs. 50.68 crore with 95% invested in equity, 2% in debt,and 3% in money market instruments. Its low risk adjusted return of 23%, and an actual return of 35% gave it a low rating. The fund's stocks include Crompton Greaves, Jaiprakash Associates, BEML and Mahindra & Mahindra.

Principal's Dividend Yield Fund has a high risk element, with 26% annual and 24% risk-adjusted return. Its assets under management are Rs.200.73 crore, and an 87% investment in stocks includes ONGC, Cummins India, Tata Chemicals, Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Varun Shipping, Jay Shree Tea and BPCL.

An assessment based on the risk-adjusted return is an objective study of mutual funds, and helps investors in making choices for their portfolio.

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