1. Stock market plays a very vital role in developing economy like India and also
attracting the rural people in recent years. Investors usually perceive that all capital market
investment avenues are risky. Based on objectives and risk bearing capacities, investors go
for different investment alternatives. Among the various investment possibilities, mutual fund
seems to be viable for all kind of investors as it is considered to be a safer mode of
investment. This study is an attempt to understand the performance of share market and to
analyse the correlation of performance of mutual funds with market indices like Sensex and
Nifty. As a part of this study, data is collected regarding performance of mutual funds and
stock market for the financial year 2009 - 10, 2010 - 11 and 2011 - 12. Two mutual fund
(growth) and two index funds are taken as sampling.
The first few pages talk about the introduction of the subject and also of the industry.
This is followed by literature review followed by the objectives of the study and research
methodology. Then comes real part of the study in which the researcher have written all what
had analyzed through the questionnaire filled by investors and brokers. The last part consists
of findings, recommendations, limitations, conclusion and bibliography.
The objectives of the study which the researcher undertook are to study the return on
investment in share market. One of the another objective is to know how far the mutual fund
schemes are able to win the confidence of the investors, for this the researcher have made
structure questionnaire and interpretation for the same has been done and also in order to
make it more effective the researcher have used bar charts.
From this study the researcher have found that investment in mutual funds provides
better returns on investment
1

2. LITERATURE REVIEW:
It is bound to adapt the rich books, journals, periodicals, reports, etc. to measure with
quantity of collections. Lots of books, national and international level magazines, websites
are referred for the study. The previous research studies are also be used as a guideline in
preparing and designing the research work.
The project also includes the various schemes and history of mutual fund in India and world.
Dr. K Ravichandran in his Research Article titled “A study on Investors preference
towards various Derivatives market, published in the Journal of Contemporary Research in
Management a Quarterly journal, Vol3, Sept.-2012. The objective of the study was to know
the various investment avenues and the investors risk preference towards it and to find out the
preference level of investors on various capital market instruments. The research article
found few things like; 44% of investors are between age group of 31 – 40, and they are
influenced by their friend and relatives. It is concluded with the point that, though the stock
market is subjected to high risk, by using derivatives the loss can be minimized to an extent.
2

3. INTRODUCTION:
We have seen many of the investors across the world becoming billionaire within a
short span of time by investing in share market, at the same time some investors lost amount
in the same market also. In the year 1992, 2001 and 2008 reports reveals, few investors lost
their wealth and some of them committed suicide because of share market scandals. The
famous investor Mr.Warren Buffet became the richest person because of his wise investment
strategies, however it is not an alternative way to make money as it has huge amount of risk.
An Investor has various investment options like debentures, shares, bank deposits, real estate
etc. but choice of option is very essential. Mutual funds give higher returns because of
professional management of fund. When we look at the risk and return pattern of investment,
mutual funds have yielded good return over the past years compared to direct capital market.
The investment in stock market is increasing at a faster rate in the recent years
because of FIIs, FDIs, Stock market awareness etc. Investment in Debentures, Bank Deposits
are not so attractive because of less amount of interest, as in real terms the value of money
decreases over a period of time. The other option is to invest money in stock market, but a
common man is not much aware of market and he is not much competent enough to
understand the functions of stock market and also it is an expansive proposal. The question to
be answered is: what investment alternative should a small investor adopt? So obviously,
mutual funds come to the rescue.
A mutual fund is a very simple concept which is combination of savings of investors.
Mutual Funds are highly cost efficient and very easy to invest in. Considering the state of
mind of the general investor, the research figures out to know how mutual fund is better than
stock market, identify the most popular MF among individual investors and analyse how far
the mutual fund schemes are able to win the confidence of the investors.
3

4. Introduction to Equity Capital and Mutual Fund
Issue of shares is the most important
method of raising capital. Finance raised by the
issue of shares serves as a financial floor to the
company‟s capital structure. Shares indicate the
ownership or equity interest in the assets of the
company. Shares are of different nominal or face
values and of different kinds to attract different
kinds of investors. The maximum amount of
capital to be raised by the issue of shares is mentioned in the memorandum of association.
During 1990-91 and 1991-92, equity accounts for 35 to 39 percent of the total capital
raised respectively. This proportion was reversed in 1992-93, the first year of free pricing,
when the share of equity increased to 62 percent. However, in 1995-96 there is a rise in the
importance of debt largely due to the high interest rates in the economy and negative returns
form the secondary market.
Mutual Funds
The first mutual funds were established in Europe. One researcher credits a Dutch
merchant with creating the first mutual fund in 1774. The first mutual fund outside the
Netherlands was the Foreign & Colonial Government Trust, which was established in
London in 1868. It is now the Foreign & Colonial Investment Trust and trades on the London
stock exchange.
Mutual funds were introduced into the United States in the 1890s. They became
popular during the 1920s. These early funds were generally of the closed-end type with a
fixed number of shares which often traded at prices above the value of the portfolio.
The first open-end mutual fund with redeemable shares was established on March 21,
1924. This fund, the Massachusetts Investors Trust, is now part of the MFS family of funds.
However, closed-end funds remained more popular than open-end funds throughout the
1920s. By 1929, open-end funds accounted for only 5% of the industry's $27 billion in total
assets.
After the stock market crash of 1929, Congress passed a series of acts regulating the
securities markets in general and mutual funds in particular. The Securities Act of
4

5. 1933 requires that all investments sold to the public, including mutual funds, be registered
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and that they provide prospective investors
with a prospectus that discloses essential facts about the investment.
When confidence in the stock market returned in the 1950s, the mutual fund industry
began to grow again. By 1970, there were approximately 360 funds with $48 billion in
assets. The introduction of money market funds in the high interest rate environment of the
late 1970s boosted industry growth dramatically. The first retail index fund, First Index
Investment Trust, was formed in 1976 by The Vanguard Group, headed by John Bogle; it is
now called the Vanguard 500 Index Fund and is one of the world's largest mutual funds, with
more than $100 billion in assets as of January 31, 2011.
In 2003, the mutual fund industry was involved in a scandal involving unequal
treatment of fund shareholders. Some fund management companies allowed favoured
investors to engage in late trading, which is illegal, or market timing, which is a practice
prohibited by fund policy. The scandal was initially discovered by then-New York State
Attorney General Eliot Spitzer and resulted in significantly increased regulation of the
industry.
At the end of 2010, there were over 15,000 mutual funds of all types in the United
States with combined assets of $13.1 trillion, according to the Investment Company
Institute (ICI), a national trade association of investment companies in the United States. The
ICI reports that worldwide mutual fund assets were $24.7 trillion on the same date.
Mutual funds play an important role in U.S. household finances. At the end of 2010,
they accounted for 23% of household financial assets. Their role in retirement planning is
particularly significant. Roughly half of assets in 401(k) plans and individual retirement
accounts were invested in mutual funds.
The mutual fund industry in India started in 1963 with the formation of Unit Trust of
India, at the initiative of the Government of India and Reserve Bank. Unit Trust of India
(UTI) was established on 1963 by an Act of Parliament. It was set up by the Reserve Bank of
India and functioned under the Regulatory and administrative control of the Reserve Bank of
India.
In 1978 Industrial Development Bank of India (IDBI) took over the regulatory and
administrative control in place of RBI. The first scheme launched by UTI was Unit Scheme
1964.
5

6. Concept of Equity Capital and Mutual Fund
The term equity literally means the stock or ownership of a company. They are also
known as ordinary shares. The rate of dividend on equity shares varies according to the
amount of profit available and the intention of board of directors. In the event of winding up
of the company, equity shares can be refunded only after all other claims, including those of
preference shares for the refund of their capital, have been met.
Equity capital is represented by funds that are raised by a business, in exchange for a
share of ownership in the company. Equity financing allows a business to obtain funds
without incurring debt, or without having to repay a specific amount of money at a particular
time.
A Mutual Fund is a trust that pools the money of many investors to invest in a variety
of different securities. Investment may be in stocks, bonds, money market securities or some
combination of these. Those securities are professionally managed on behalf of shareholders,
and each investor holds a pro rata share of a portfolio, entitled to any profits when the
securities are sold, but subject to any losses in value as well.
A Mutual Fund is a group of investors operating through a fund manager to purchase
a diverse portfolio of stock or bonds. For the individual investor, mutual funds provides the
benefit of having someone else manage your investments, take care of record keeping for
your account, and diversify your rupees over many different securities that may not be
available or affordable to you otherwise. Today, minimum investment requirements on many
funds are low enough that even the smallest investor can get started in mutual funds.
6

7. Reasons to invest in Mutual Funds
Why should one choose to invest in a mutual fund?
Mutual Funds are considered to be safer mode of
investment; these are investment companies that pool money
from investors at large and offer to sell and buy back its shares /
units on a continuous basis and thus rose to invest in various
securities in different companies. If you are considering
investment in stock market and are scared of unpredictable market volatility, you can
definitely consider investing in mutual funds because of professional management. Some of
the reasons that go strongly in favour of mutual funds are like it lowers risk factors.
For the retail investor who does not have the time and experience to analyse and invest in
stocks and bonds, mutual funds offer a feasible investment alternative. This is because:
1. Normally investment in mutual fund is financially viable for all the investors, as it
provides the benefit of economical access to expensive stocks,
2. Mutual funds diversify the risk by investing in a basket of assets.
3. An expert team of specialized fund managers managing the fund, each scheme has a
separate professional fund manager.
4. As mutual fund is an institutional investor, which may have enough bargaining power
in markets, and has access to decisive corporate information which individual
investors don‟t access.
Is investment in Mutual Fund Risk – Free?
Usually the risk depends on Fund Manager and Asset Allocation. Mutual fund
investments are not totally risk free. In fact, investing in mutual funds contains the same risk
as investing in the markets, the only difference being that is due to professional management
of funds the controllable risks are substantially reduced.
7

8. Mutual funds vs. other investments
Investment in mutual fund is always safe because of its unique advantages with it.
When an investor invests in bank deposits, debt market, usually risk will be very less but
return is around 10%, whereas investment in share market, Forex market carries higher
amount of risk having higher return. But mutual fund will give usually moderate return with
moderate risk. Probability of losing amount in mutual fund will be less as the risk is
diversified with investment in different securities and fund is managed by professional
experts. Exhibit-1 shows the comparative returns of mutual fund with other investment
alternatives.
Mutual Fund Investments and the Sensex
There are plenty of schemes available in the market like equity fund, income fund and
liquid fund. In each of these categories we have infrastructure fund, tax savings fund, bond
fund, fixed term plan and many more. One of the important funds is Growth fund where the
asset allocation of this fund is made in equity shares listed in stock market and Index fund
will be invested in share of Indices. The correlation of these two funds should be obviously
positive as direction moves towards the same way.
8

9. TYPES OF MUTUAL FUNDS
The Investment Company Act of 1940 established three types of registered
management investment companies in the United States: open-end funds, unit investment
trusts (UITs); and closed-end funds. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are open-end funds or
unit investment trusts that trade on an exchange; they have gained in popularity recently.
While the term "mutual fund" may refer to all three types of registered investment
companies, it is more commonly used to refer exclusively to the open-end type.
Open-end funds
Open-end mutual funds must be willing to buy back their shares from their investors
at the end of every business day at the net asset value computed that day. Most open-end
funds also sell shares to the public every business day; these shares are also priced at net asset
value. A professional investment manager oversees the portfolio, buying and selling
securities as appropriate. The total investment in the fund will vary based on share purchases,
share redemptions and fluctuation in market valuation. There is no legal limit on the number
of shares that can be issued.
Closed-end funds
Closed-end funds generally issue shares to the public only once, when they are
created through an initial public offering. Their shares are then listed for trading on a stock
exchange. Investors who no longer wish to invest in the fund cannot sell their shares back to
the fund (as they can with an open-end fund). Instead, they must sell their shares to another
investor in the market; the price they receive may be significantly different from net asset
value. It may be at a "premium" to net asset value (meaning that it is higher than net asset
value) or, more commonly, at a "discount" to net asset value (meaning that it is lower than
net asset value). A professional investment manager oversees the portfolio, buying and
selling securities as appropriate.
Unit investment trusts
Unit investment trusts or UITs issue shares to the public only once, when they are
created. Investors can redeem shares directly with the fund (as with an open-end fund) or they
may also be able to sell their shares in the market. Unit investment trusts do not have a
9

10. professional investment manager. Their portfolio of securities is established at the creation of
the UIT and does not change. UITs generally have a limited life span, established at creation.
Exchange-traded funds
A relatively recent innovation, the exchange-traded fund or ETF is often structured as
an open-end investment company, though ETFs may also be structured as unit investment
trusts, partnerships, investments trust, grantor trusts or bonds (as an exchange-traded note).
ETFs combine characteristics of both closed-end funds and open-end funds. Like closed-end
funds, ETFs are traded throughout the day on a stock exchange at a price determined by the
market. However, as with open-end funds, investors normally receive a price that is close to
net asset value. To keep the market price close to net asset value, ETFs issue and redeem
large blocks of their shares with institutional investors.
Investments and classification
Mutual funds are classified by their principal investments. The four largest categories
of funds are money market funds, bond or fixed income funds, stock or equity funds and
hybrid funds. Within these categories, funds may be sub classified by investment objective,
investment approach or specific focus. The SEC requires that mutual fund names not be
inconsistent with a fund's investments. For example, the "ABC New Jersey Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund" would generally have to invest, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its
assets in bonds that are exempt from federal income tax, from the alternative minimum tax
and from taxes in the state of New Jersey.
Bond, stock and hybrid funds may be classified as either index (passively-managed) funds or
actively-managed funds.
Money market funds
Money market funds invest in money market instruments, which are fixed income
securities with a very short time to maturity and high credit quality. Investors often use
money market funds as a substitute for bank savings accounts, though money market funds
are not government insured, unlike bank savings accounts.
Money market funds strive to maintain a $1.00 per share net asset value, meaning that
investors earn interest income from the fund but do not experience capital gains or losses. If a
fund fails to maintain that $1.00 per share because its securities have declined in value, it is
10

11. said to "break the buck". Only two money market funds have ever broken the buck:
Community Banker's U.S. Government Money Market Fund in 1994 and the Reserve
Primary Fund in 2008.
Bond funds
Bond funds invest in fixed income securities. Bond funds can be sub classified
according to the specific types of bonds owned (such as high-yield or junk bonds,
investment-grade corporate bonds, government bonds or municipal bonds) or by the maturity
of the bonds held (short-, intermediate- or long-term). Bond funds may invest in primarily
U.S. securities (domestic or U.S. funds), in both U.S. and foreign securities (global or world
funds), or primarily foreign securities (international funds).
Stock or equity funds
Stock or equity funds invest in common stocks. Stock funds may invest in primarily
U.S. securities (domestic or U.S. funds), in both U.S. and foreign securities (global or world
funds), or primarily foreign securities (international funds). They may focus on a specific
industry or sector.
A stock fund may be sub classified along two dimensions:
(1) Market capitalization and
(2) Investment style (i.e., growth vs. blend/core vs. value).
The two dimensions are often displayed in a grid known as a "style box."
Market capitalization or market cap indicates the size of the companies in which a
fund invests, based on the value of the company's stock. Each company's market
capitalization equals the number of shares outstanding times the market price of the stock.
Market capitalizations are typically divided into the following categories:
 Micro cap
 Small cap
 Mid cap
 Large cap
11

12. While the specific definitions of each category vary with market conditions, large cap
stocks generally have market capitalizations of at least $10 billion, small cap stocks have
market capitalizations below $2 billion, and micro-cap stocks have market capitalizations
below $300 million. Funds are also classified in these categories based on the market caps of
the stocks that it holds.
Stock funds are also sub classified according to their investment style: growth, value
or blend (or core). Growth funds seek to invest in stocks of fast-growing companies. Value
funds seek to invest in stocks that appear cheaply priced. Blend funds are not biased toward
either growth or value.
Hybrid funds
Hybrid funds invest in both bonds and stocks or in convertible securities. Balanced
funds, asset allocation funds, target date or target risk funds and lifecycle or lifestyle funds
are all types of hybrid funds.
Hybrid funds may be structured as funds of funds, meaning that they invest by buying
shares in other mutual funds that invest in securities. Most fund of funds invest in affiliated
funds (meaning mutual funds managed by the same fund sponsor), although some invest in
unaffiliated funds (meaning those managed by other fund sponsors) or in a combination of
the two.
Index (passively-managed) versus actively-managed
An index fund or passively-managed fund seeks to match the performance of a market
index, such as the S&P 500 index, while an actively managed fund seeks to outperform a
relevant index through superior security selection.
12

13. ADVANTAGES OF EQUITY CAPITAL
High Dividend and High Value
In times of prosperity, the equity shareholders get a very high rate of dividend,
sufficiently higher than that on preference shares. At the same time, their share value will
also go up in the market.
Voting Rights
It is the inky equity shareholders who enjoy voting rights on all the policy matter of
the company.
Pre-emptive right to new shares
Equity shareholders have the pre-emptive right to purchase new shares. Under the
provision of the companies act, the existing shareholders of the company have a right to
allotment of newly issued shared.
Many Privileges and Rights
Equity shareholders enjoy many privileges and rights. For example, they can vote at
meetings, elect directors, control the directors to run the company efficiently and profitably,
look into the books and records of the company and transfer or sell their shareholdings.
13

14. ADVANTAGES OF MUTUAL FUNDS
Diversification
Mutual funds typically hold anywhere from 50 to 200 different stocks. This type of
diversification diminishes the risk of a few investments adversely effecting overall returns.
Continuous, professional management
Skilled professionals whose compensation is linked to the performance of the fund
manage mutual funds.
Economies of scale
Mutual funds incur proportionately lower trading commissions than do individuals.
Lower transaction costs can translate into better investment performance.
Shareholder services
Mutual fund Complexes offer automatic investment plans, retirement plans, record
keeping for tax purposes, and systematic withdrawal plans, and they allow investors to make
exchanges or switches between funds over the telephone. Mutual funds also allow the
automatic reinvestment of income dividends and capital gains distributions into additional
shares.
Liquidity
Mutual funds are very liquid financial instruments since they can be easily purchased
or sold with no significant price impact. Redemptions technically have no direct effect on the
net asset value at which they were executed. Redemptions might have an indirect effect if
there were massive and forced portfolio liquidations before the redemption orders were
executed. This indirect effect is expected to be rare. Mutual funds typically offer more
liquidity than individual stocks, bonds, or closed-ended portfolios.
14

15. DISADVANTAGES OF EQUITY CAPITAL
No refund of capital
Since equity shares cannot be refunded, excessive issue of such share may leads to
overcapitalisation, particularly when the earning capacity of the company is declining.
Benefits only in prosperity
During the periods of prosperity, the company has to distribute heavy dividends on
these shares.
Manipulation of control
Since the equity share have proportionate voting power, the company‟s management
many be vitiated by manipulation of votes, clique-formation, abuse of proxy rights etc.
High risk
Equity shareholders cannot claim dividend as a matter of right, because the decision
to fit the rate of dividend on equity shares is vested in the Board of Directors. Therefore
investors as a class may find equity shares unsafe, unattractive and unremunerated.
Unhealthy Speculation
During the period of boom, the market value of share will go up, which leads to
unhealthy speculation in the stock market.
15

16. DISADVANTAGES OF MUTUAL FUNDS
Like many investments, mutual funds offer advantages and disadvantages, which are
important for you to consider and understand before you decide to buy. Here are some of the
drawbacks of mutual funds.
Fluctuating returns
Mutual funds are like many other investments without a guaranteed return. There is
always the possibility that the value of your mutual fund will depreciate. This is especially
important for investors in money market funds.
Diversification
Although diversification is one of the keys to successful investing, many mutual fund
investors tends to over diversify. The idea of diversification is to reduce the risks associated
with holding a single security; over diversification occurs when investors acquire many funds
that are highly related and so don‟t get the risk reducing benefits of diversification.
Cash. Cash and more Cash
Mutual funds pool money from thousands of investors, so everyday investors are
putting money into the fund as well as withdrawing investments. To maintain liquidity and
the capacity to accommodate withdrawals, funds typically have to keep a large portion of
their portfolio as cash. Having ample cash is great for liquidity, but money sitting around as
cash is not working for you and thus is not very advantageous.
Costs
Mutual funds provide investors with professional management; however, it comes at a
cost. Funds will typically have a range of different fees that reduce the overall pay-out. In
mutual funds the fees are classified into two categories; shareholder fees and annual fund
operating fees. The shareholder fees, in the form of loads and redemption fees are paid
directly by shareholders purchasing or selling the funds. The annual fund operating fees are
charged as an annual percentage – usually ranging from 1-3%. These fees are assessed to
mutual fund investors regardless of the performance of the fund.
16

17. Misleading Advertisement
The misleading advertisement of different funds can guide investors down the wrong
path. Some funds may be incorrectly labelled as growth funds, while others are classified as
small-cap or income.
Evaluating Funds
Another disadvantage of mutual funds is the difficulty they pose for investors
interested in researching and evaluating the different funds. Unlike stocks, mutual funds do
not offer investors the opportunity to compare the P/E ratio, sales growth, earnings per share,
etc. A mutual fund‟s net asset value gives investors the total value of the fund‟s portfolio less
liabilities, but how do you know if one fund is better than another? Furthermore,
advertisements, rankings and ratings issued by fund companies only describe past
performance.
17

18. LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Mutual funds are regulated by the SEBI (Mutual Fund) Regulations, 1996.
Bank-sponsored mutual funds are jointly regulated by SEBI and RBI.
Listed mutual funds are subject to the listing regulations of stock exchanges.
Association of Mutual funds India (AMFI) is an industry association of mutual funds.
(training, investor awareness)
Indian Trusts Act, 1882 which requires mutual funds to be established in form of a
trust.
Income Tax Act, 1961, which covers the tax aspects of mutual funds.
The present system of regulations of mutual funds also includes some relevant
provisions of the Companies Act, 1956.
18

19. Hypothesis
“Investment in mutual fund yields higher return than direct capital market”.
From this study the researcher have found that mutual funds yields higher return than
capital market and it has been proved in the below data analysis and findings. The data is
collected from 100 investors of different companies in the form of questionnaire.
It has been found that investment in mutual funds provides return of 183.59% in 3
years period and whereas investment in capital market provides return of only 19.39% in 3
years. And majority of investors i.e. 67% also agree that mutual fund investment is safer than
investment in any other avenues. From this study it concludes that mutual fund yields higher
return than direct capital market.
19

20. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY:
Following are the objectives for the study.
a. To study the return on investment in share market.
b. To understand the fund sponsor qualities influencing the selection of MFs/Schemes
c. To know how far the mutual fund schemes are able to win the confidence of the
investors
SCOPE OF THE STUDY:
The scope of the study is limited to investors and their investment preferences. Study
objective is to investigate the return on investment in share market and to understand the fund
sponsor qualities influencing the selection of MFs/Schemes. Also to find out that how far the
mutual fund schemes are able to win the confidence of the investors.
The researcher‟s study will consider urban and semi-urban area of India. Now, the
researcher study purpose is to know the return on investment in share market and mutual
fund. The research was carried out to define how investor should invest in terms of making
right choice of investment, in addition what all techniques should be used so that they can get
the better returns from the markets. For conducting the study help of certain tools were taken
such as journals, net search, filling up of questionnaires.
20

21. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:
Carrying the survey was a general learning experience but the researcher also faced
some problems, which are listed here:
 India‟s population is too large and the number of investors and brokers in India is
also very large and it is not possible to cover each and every investor and brokers in
India.
 The data is collected from investors and brokers in Mumbai, Amritsar, and Delhi
cities only; mostly are from Mumbai. It could also not cover the whole of these cities
because the sample size was less and also due to time constraint.
 Generally the respondents were busy in their work and were not interested in
responding rightly.
 Respondents were reluctant to discover complete and correct information about
themselves and their financial investments.
 Most respondents were not maintaining proper knowledge about the companies they
are investing, so they were unable to provide exact information regarding the returns
companies providing.
 Most of the respondents don‟t want to disclose the information about their
investment preferences.
 Due to human behaviour information may be biased.
21

22. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
Research Design:
The design for this study is Descriptive research.
Descriptive research, also known as statistical research, describes data and characteristics
about the population or phenomenon being studied. Descriptive research answers the
questions who, what, where, when, "why" and how...
Although the data description is factual, accurate and systematic, the research cannot
describe what caused a situation. Thus, Descriptive research cannot be used to create a causal
relationship, where one variable affects another. In other words, descriptive research can be
said to have a low requirement for internal validity.
Sources of Data:
The study undertaken there to be mainly based on the primary data i.e. structured
questionnaire is designed. The study also contains secondary data i.e. data from authenticated
websites and journals for the latest updates just to gain an insight for the views of various
experts. In this Project, the method used to collect the data is a primary questionnaire method.
The questionnaire is been answered by the investors and brokers who invest in equity markets
and mutual funds.
Data Collection:
The data is collected from the investors and brokers in the form of questionnaire and
the sample size is 100 as a respondents. The data is collected from Mumbai, Amritsar, and
Delhi city only, mostly sample size was from Mumbai. Because it is a pilot study and due to
time constraint the sample size could not cover whole India. The sample size is small.
 Data collection method: Survey
 Data collection tool: Questionnaire
22

23. Data Analysis And Interpretation
Sample Size: 100
Total number of questions asked: 9
 Age Group:
Below 25 38 38%
26 to 35 42 42%
36 to 45 7 7%
Above 46 13 13%
Below 25 25 -35 35 - 45 above 45
13%
7%
38%
42%
Observation:
The sample consisted of a total of 100 investors and brokers among which 38 % of
investors and brokers belong to age group of below 25, 42% of investors and brokers belong
to 26to 35 age group, 7% investors and brokers belong to 36to 45 age group and 13%
investors and brokers belong to above 46 age group.
23

24.  Do you Invest in Markets?
Yes 73
No 27
Yes No
27%
73%
Observation:
The sample consisted of a total of 100 investors and brokers, which that nearly 73%
of investors and brokers invest their money in share markets or mutual funds.
24

25.  Income:
INCOME BRACKET
1,80,000 - 3,50,000 42 42%
3,50,000 - 7,00,000 44 44%
Above 7,00,000 14 14%
50 42% 44%
40
30
20 14%
10
0
1,80,000 -
3,50,000 3,50,000 -
7,00,000 Above 7,00,000
1,80,000 - 3,50,000 3,50,000 - 7,00,000 Above 7,00,000
Series1 42 44 14
Observation:
The sample consisted of a total of 100 investors and brokers, which shows that all the
investors and brokers comes in the tax bracket and which is also one of the main reason to
invest in markets and schemes which provides good returns with tax benefit.
25

26.  Select your preference for the financial investment?
Equities 42 42%
Mutual Funds 33 33%
Both 25 25%
Both
Mutual Funds
Equities
Both
25%
0%
Equities
42%
Mutual Funds
33%
Observation:
The sample consisted of a total of 100 investors and brokers, which shows that most
of investors and brokers are more willing to invest their money in equities, but the difference
is very less as 42% of investors and brokers are willing to invest in equity and 33% of
investors and brokers will like to invest in mutual funds.
26

27.  State the reason for your preference?
Rate of Return 74 74%
Flexible Investment Terms 26 26%
26%
Rate of Return
Flexible Investment Terms
74%
Observation:
The sample consisted of a total of 100 investors and brokers, which shows that most
of investors and brokers choose their respective investment option with giving more
importance to rate of return on their investment.
27

28.  What type of investment do you make?
Short Term (0-1 year period) 24 24%
Medium Term (1-5 year period) 41 41%
Long Term (More than 5 year period) 35 35%
Long Term Short Term (0-1
(More than 5 year period)
year period) 24%
35%
Medium Term
(1-5 year
period)
41%
Observation:
The sample consisted of a total of 100 investors and brokers, which shows that most
of investors and brokers are more willing to invest their money for longer time period as the
perception is that they will get higher returns in long term investment.
28

29.  Investing in Mutual Funds is far safer than Investing in other avenues”. Do you
agree?
Yes 67 67%
No 33 33%
67
33
Yes No
Observation:
The sample consisted of a total of 100 investors and brokers, which shows that most
of investors and brokers agree that mutual fund options as safer than investing in equity,
bonds or in debentures.
29

30. According to you among these products in which one should invest now?
Equity Markets 51 51%
Mutual Funds 49 49%
51.5
51
50.5
50
49.5
49
48.5
48
Equity Markets Mutual Funds
Series1 51 49
Observation:
According to Survey the investors still believe that invest should be done in equities
but the difference between the preference of investors is very less. As 51% of investors
suggest to invest in equities in current time whereas 49% of investors suggest to invest in
mutual funds.
30

31. State the reason for your preference with reference to above questions answer?
Secure Investment 52 52%
Expected High Rate of Returns 48 48%
Secure Investment Expected High Rate of Returns
48% 52%
Observation:
According to Survey the investors select their current area of investment by giving
importance to the factor of Secure Investment.
31

32. Which factor of a Mutual Fund or of a equity plays an important role to invest in them?
Most Important Important Least Important Out of 100%
Brand 45% 50% 5% 100
Performance 79% 20% 1% 100
Management Team 34% 64% 2% 100
90
79
80
70 64
60
50
50 45 Brand
40 Performance
34
Management Team
30
20
20
10 5
1 2
0
Most Important Important Least Important
Observation:
According to Survey the investors have given the most important preference for
investing to the performance of the equity or mutual fund. And second preference has been
given to the brand name of the company and last factor to consider is management team.
32

33. Comparative Analysis of Equity Share and Mutual Fund
PERFORMANCE OF RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD (EQUITY) FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS
Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly
Month Close Price Difference Returns in % Difference Returns in %
Apr-09 1802.7 - -
May-09 2277.5 474.8 26.34
Jun-09 2023.35 -254.15 -11.16
Jul-09 1957.1 -66.25 -3.27
Aug-09 2004.1 47 2.40
Sep-09 2201.2 197.1 9.83
Oct-09 1931.25 -269.95 -12.26
Nov-09 1062.8 -868.45 -44.97
Dec-09 1089.4 26.6 2.50
Jan-10 1046.55 -42.85 -3.93
Feb-10 978 -68.55 -6.55
Mar-10 1074.65 96.65 9.88 -728.05 -40.3866
Apr-10 1032.5 -42.15 -3.92
May-10 1045.05 12.55 1.22
Jun-10 1086.9 41.85 4.00
Jul-10 1009.6 -77.3 -7.11
Aug-10 918.85 -90.75 -8.99
Sep-10 986.35 67.5 7.35
Oct-10 1095.8 109.45 11.10
Nov-10 986.8 -109 -9.95
Dec-10 1058.25 71.45 7.24
Jan-11 919.25 -139 -13.13
Feb-11 964.95 45.7 4.97
Mar-11 1047.8 82.85 8.59 15.3 1.48184
Apr-11 981.95 -65.85 -6.28
May-11 951.75 -30.2 -3.08
Jun-11 897.6 -54.15 -5.69
Jul-11 827.7 -69.9 -7.79
Aug-11 781.5 -46.2 -5.58
Sep-11 808.3 26.8 3.43
Oct-11 877.75 69.45 8.59
Nov-11 778.8 -98.95 -11.27
Dec-11 692.9 -85.9 -11.03
Jan-12 815.45 122.55 17.69
Feb-12 818.65 3.2 0.39
Mar-12 724.85 -93.8 -11.46 -257.1 -26.1826
Difference and Returns in % of 3 years = -1077.85 -59.7909
33

34. As the above data shows that RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD has given positive
returns only in one financial period 2010-11 and that too only 1.48 % and has given returns
during two financial years. And comparing the returns of 3 years the company has given
negative returns of 59.79%.
34

35. PERFORMANCE OF ICICI BANK LTD (EQUITY) FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS
Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly
Month Close Price Difference Returns in % Difference Returns in %
Apr-09 477.75 -
May-09 740.7 262.95 55.04 474.95 99.41392
Jun-09 722 -18.70 -2.52
Jul-09 759.05 37.05 5.13
Aug-09 749.5 -9.55 -1.26
Sep-09 904.8 155.30 20.72
Oct-09 789.6 -115.20 -12.73
Nov-09 864.3 74.70 9.46
Dec-09 875.7 11.40 1.32
Jan-10 830.4 -45.30 -5.17
Feb-10 871.85 41.45 4.99
Mar-10 952.7 80.85 9.27
Apr-10 950.5 -2.20 -0.23 162.25 17.06996
May-10 867.05 -83.45 -8.78
Jun-10 862 -5.05 -0.58
Jul-10 904.45 42.45 4.92
Aug-10 977.3 72.85 8.05
Sep-10 1110.35 133.05 13.61
Oct-10 1161.65 51.3 4.62
Nov-10 1143.65 -18 -1.55
Dec-10 1144.65 1 0.09
Jan-11 1020 -124.65 -10.89
Feb-11 971 -49 -4.80
Mar-11 1112.75 141.75 14.60
Apr-11 1114.25 1.5 0.13 -258.2 -23.1725
May-11 1086 -28.25 -2.54
Jun-11 1093.1 7.1 0.65
Jul-11 1037.75 -55.35 -5.06
Aug-11 873.25 -164.5 -15.85
Sep-11 875.35 2.1 0.24
Oct-11 930.5 55.15 6.30
Nov-11 714.15 -216.35 -23.25
Dec-11 684.6 -29.55 -4.14
Jan-12 902 217.4 31.76
Feb-12 906.5 4.5 0.50
Mar-12 856.05 4.5 0.50
Difference and Returns in % of 3 years = 378.3 79.18367
35

36. As the above data shows that ICICI BANK LTD has given positive returns in two
financial periods, i.e. 2009-10 & 2010-11 and has given negative returns in one financial
year. And comparing the returns of 3 years the company has given positive returns of
79.18%.
36

37. PERFORMANCE OF SBI MSFU CONTRA-GROWTH (MUTUAL FUND) FOR
THE PAST 3 YEARS
Net Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly
Date
Asset Value Difference Returns In % Difference Returns in %
29-Apr-09 34.13 21.61 63.31
29-May-09 45 10.87 31.85
30-Jun-09 44.16 -0.84 -1.87
31-Jul-09 48.3 4.14 9.38
31-Aug-09 48.97 0.67 1.39
30-Sep-09 52.81 3.84 7.84
30-Oct-09 49.8 -3.01 -5.70
30-Nov-09 53.17 3.37 6.77
31-Dec-09 55.68 2.51 4.72
29-Jan-10 53.31 -2.37 -4.26
26-Feb-10 52.55 -0.76 -1.43
31-Mar-10 55.74 3.19 6.07
30-Apr-10 56.33 0.59 1.06 -0.71 -1.26
31-May-10 54.1 -2.23 -3.96
30-Jun-10 57.03 2.93 5.42
30-Jul-10 57.05 0.02 0.04
31-Aug-10 58.17 1.12 1.96
30-Sep-10 62.63 4.46 7.67
29-Oct-10 62.95 0.32 0.51
30-Nov-10 59.46 -3.49 -5.54
31-Dec-10 61.02 1.56 2.62
31-Jan-11 54.18 -6.84 -11.21
28-Feb-11 51.18 -3.00 -5.54
31-Mar-11 55.62 4.44 8.68
29-Apr-11 56.07 0.45 0.81 -5.4 -9.63
31-May-11 54.68 -1.39 -2.48
30-Jun-11 55.23 0.55 1.01
29-Jul-11 54.16 -1.07 -1.94
30-Aug-11 49.36 -4.80 -8.86
30-Sep-11 48.58 -0.78 -1.58
31-Oct-11 50.53 1.95 4.01
30-Nov-11 46.23 -4.30 -8.51
30-Dec-11 43.79 -2.44 -5.28
31-Jan-12 48.86 5.07 11.58
29-Feb-12 51.6 2.74 5.61
29-Mar-12 50.67 -0.93 -1.80
Difference and Returns in % of 3 years = 16.54 48.46
37

38. As the above data shows that SBI MSFU CONTRA-GROWTH has given positive
returns in 1st financial year in 2009-10 & and has given a negative returns in 2nd and 3rd
financial year. And comparing the returns of 3 years the fund has given positive returns of
48.46%.
38

39. PERFORMANCE OF RELIANCE EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES FUND – GROWTH PLAN
(MUTUAL FUND) FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS
Net
Asset Monthly Monthly Yearly Yearly
Date Value Difference Returns in % Difference Returns in %
29-Apr-09 15.1389
29-May-09 20.0628 4.92 32.52 15.95 105.3557392
30-Jun-09 20.1576 0.09 0.47
31-Jul-09 22.1421 1.98 9.84
31-Aug-09 23.1923 1.05 4.74
30-Sep-09 25.9585 2.77 11.93
30-Oct-09 24.8117 -1.15 -4.42
30-Nov-09 26.8891 2.08 8.37
31-Dec-09 29.4351 2.55 9.47
29-Jan-10 28.095 -1.34 -4.55
26-Feb-10 28.3646 0.27 0.96
31-Mar-10 31.0886 2.72 9.60
30-Apr-10 32.2103 1.12 3.61 3.508 10.89092619
31-May-10 31.0571 -1.15 -3.58
30-Jun-10 32.9375 1.88 6.05
30-Jul-10 34.422 1.48 4.51
31-Aug-10 35.6699 1.25 3.63
30-Sep-10 38.7718 3.10 8.70
29-Oct-10 38.4782 -0.29 -0.76
30-Nov-10 37.2717 -1.21 -3.14
31-Dec-10 38.3986 1.13 3.02
31-Jan-11 34.5916 -3.81 -9.91
28-Feb-11 32.683 -1.91 -5.52
31-Mar-11 35.7183 3.04 9.29
29-Apr-11 36.2916 0.57 1.61 -0.6954 -1.916145885
31-May-11 35.6693 -0.62 -1.71
30-Jun-11 36.6927 1.02 2.87
29-Jul-11 36.61 -0.08 -0.23
30-Aug-11 33.5575 -3.05 -8.34
30-Sep-11 33.3842 -0.17 -0.52
31-Oct-11 34.847 1.46 4.38
30-Nov-11 31.8511 -3.00 -8.60
30-Dec-11 30.0922 -1.76 -5.52
31-Jan-12 34.0546 3.96 13.17
29-Feb-12 36.0334 1.98 5.81
29-Mar-12 35.5962 -0.44 -1.21
20.4573 135.1306898
39

40. As the above data shows that RELIANCE EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES FUND –
GROWTH PLAN has given positive returns in two financial years, i.e. 2009-10 & 2010-11
and has given a negative returns in one financial year i.e.2011-12. And comparing the returns
of 3 years the fund has given positive returns of 135.13%.
40

41. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF EQUITY V/S MUTUAL FUND
EQUITIES 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2009-2012
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD -40.38% 1.48% -26.18% -59.79%
ICICI BANK LTD 99.41% 17.06% -23.17% 79.18%
MUTUAL FUND 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2009-2012
SBI MSFU CONTRA 63.31% -1.26% -9.63% 48.46%
RELIANCE EQUITY OPP OURTUNITIES FUND 105.35% 10.89% -1.91% 135.13%
ANALYSIS OF EQUITY
EQUITIES 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2009-2012
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD -40.38% 1.48% -26.18% -59.79%
ICICI BANK LTD 99.41% 17.06% -23.17% 79.18%
41

42. 99.41%
100.00%
79.18%
80.00%
60.00%
40.00% 17.06%
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD
20.00% 1.48% ICICI BANK LTD
0.00%
2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2009-2012
-20.00%
-26.18%
-40.00% -23.17%
-40.38%
-60.00%
-59.79%
The above data shows the returns of respective equities for the period. So consider if
an investor has invested is these two companies then on 1st financial year his investment of
„X‟ amount will increase by 59.03% and on 2nd financial year his investment value will
increase by 18.54% and on 3rd financial year his investment value will reduce by 49.35%.
And if investor keep invested his money for 3yrs then his investment value at end of
3rd financial year will increase by 19.39% only which is less as he can get more than 20% of
returns by keeping fixed deposits in the bank.
42

43. ANALYSIS OF MUTUAL FUND
MUTUAL FUND 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2009-2012
SBI MSFU CONTRA 63.31% -1.26% -9.63% 48.46%
RELIANCE EQUITY
105.35% 10.89% -1.91% 135.13%
OPPOURTUNITIES FUND
Mutual Funds
135.13%
140.00%
120.00%
105.35%
100.00%
80.00% 63.31% SBI MSFU CONTRA
60.00% 48.46% RELIANCE EQUITY OPP
OURTUNITIES FUND
40.00%
20.00% 10.89%
-9.63% -1.91%
-1.26%
0.00%
2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2009-2012
-20.00%
The above data shows the returns of respective mutual funds for the period. So
consider if an investor has invested is these two funds then on 1st financial year his
investment of „X‟ amount will increase by 168.66% and on 2nd financial year his investment
value will increase by 9.63% and on 3rd financial year his investment value will reduce by
11.54%.
And if investor keep invested his money for 3yrs then his investment value at end of
3rd financial year will increase by 183.59% which is far better than the returns of equity
investment returns.
43

44. ANALYSIS:
(As from analysing the above data and also from questionnaire we
can say that Hypothesis is being proved.)
 Among 100% sample, 67% respondents
agree that mutual funds are safer than any
other investment option.
 Among 3yrs data of returns of equity and
mutual fund, it shows that mutual fund
provides more return than the equity
market.
 Among 100% sample, 49% respondents says that one should invest in mutual funds,
which shows the increasing preference for mutual fund.
44

45. FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:
 The First question asked was about the investment factor and among the 100% sample
size, 73% respondents said that they do invest in markets.
 Among the 100 sample size, 24% of investors were wish to invest for short term
period (0-1 year) whereas 41% of investors were willing to invest their money for
medium term (1–5 years)and 35% of investors for long term investment (more than 5
year).
 Among the 100 sample size, 74% investors invest money with the preference of rate
of return on their investment and 26% investors invest money with the preference of
flexible investment terms.
 The investors have given almost same weightage to the question of According to you
among these products in which one should invest now? As 51% of investors suggest
investing in Equities and 49 % of investors suggests for Mutual funds. So here it can
be said that mutual funds are gaining its importance in the finance industry.
 When asked about the reason for selecting the respective product of investment then
the preference was given to the factor of secure investment, i.e. by 52% of investors.
 It is noted that investors give 1st importance to performance of the equity or mutual
fund and then brand name and at last give importance to management team while
making the decision in which they would prefer to invest their money.
45

46. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE STUDY:
 As it has been found from the above findings that mutual funds are providing better
returns and gaining its importance in the finance industry. Therefore, the mutual fund
companies in India should make vice decisions while making investments and provide
more benefits to investors.
 As many investors get fooled by some mutual fund companies which gives false
promises to investors for investing their money in their mutual fund. So government
should make strict rules for all the mutual fund companies in order to safe guard the
investment of all investors.
 The charges should be reduced to minimum and also the lock in period factor should
be minimised, which will attract more investors from the market.
 Key features of mutual funds should be mentioned in the advertisement. Features like
Diversification, Systematic Investment Plans (SIP), Tax benefits should be mentioned
in the advertisements. Otherwise, people will see mutual funds as normal shares in
which we invest money.
 Many fund firms themselves have provided assurances regarding restitution for losses
to shareholders i.e., reassuring. However, these promises have been short on specifics
indicating how those losses will be measured and how the compensation will be
provided.
 Mutual funds should use appropriate and simple names for the schemes, which match
the features of the schemes, so that the investors are not confused and not feel cheated
after investing.
46

47. CONCLUSION
The Indian mutual funds industry has transformed totally for good since last decade
and has shown growth and potential. Though the Asset under Management and number of
schemes has increased significantly, but it is yet to be a household product, and needs to
cover the retail segment effectively. Moreover, there are still many remote and potential areas
which lack the required knowledge and infrastructure of mutual funds.
Mutual fund is an excellent product offering great flexibility and liquidity, which can
be tailored to suit any investor‟s objective and it is affordable for the all people of different
income levels and saving habits
After doing study it is concluded that yes mutual funds are much better investment
option but as future is uncertain so no one can give a sure guarantee of good returns, no
matter whether it is equity or a mutual fund.
Investors can minimise their risk by doing little research before investing in the
markets which will help them to decide the right investment plan or product.
47

48. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
Jaydev, M. 1998, Investment policy and performance
of mutual funds, Kanishka Pub., India.
Gupta, A. 2002, Mutual funds in India: a study of investment management, Anmol
Publications PVT. LTD., India.
Business world
C.R. Kothari – Research Methodology
Websites
http://www.amfiindia.com
http://search.proquest.com
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com
http://www.google.com
http://www.moneycontrol.com
http://www.bseindia.com
http://www.nseindia.com
http://www.icicibank.com
http://www.sbi.co.in
http://www.sebi.gov.in
http://www.finance.yahoo.com
48

49. ANNEXURE
QUESTIONNAIRE
This questionnaire is prepared for a research project
An Empirical Study on Performance of Mutual Fund in India
Name:
Age:
Income Category: a. 1, 80,000-5, 00,000 b.5, 00,000-8, 00,000 c. above 8, 00,000
1. Do you invest in Markets?
a. Yes b. No
2. What type of investment do you make?
a. Short Term (0-1 year period)
b. Medium Term (1-5 year period)
c. Long Term (More than 5 year period)
3. Give your ratings on the following financial investment?
a. Equities
b. Mutual Funds
4. State the reason for your preference?
a. Rate of Return
b. Flexible Investment Terms
5. Investing in Mutual Funds is far safer than Investing in other avenues”. Do you agree?
a. Yes b. No
6. According to you among these products in which one should invest now?
a. Equity Market
b. Mutual Funds
49

50. 7. State the reason for your preference with reference to above questions answer?
a. Secure Investment
b. Expected High Rate of Returns
8. Which factor of a Mutual Fund or of a equity plays an important role to invest in
them?
Most Important Important Least Important
Brand
Performance
Management Team
Thank you for your precious time and support.
50