A Comparative Study Of The Performance Of Mutual Fund Schemes Of Five Asset Management Companies

The mutual fund sector in India has developed into a vibrant and essential part of the nation's financial system, providing institutional and ordinary investors with a variety of investment options.The performance of mutual fund schemes provided by five well-known Asset Management Companies (AMCs) in India-HDFC Mutual Fund, ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, SBI Mutual Fund, Axis Mutual Fund, and Nippon India Mutual Fund-is compared in this research report.The study compares and assesses fund performance over a five-year period (2019-2024) using both primary and secondary data.With an emphasis on performance metrics including Net Asset Value (NAV), Sharpe Ratio, Alpha, Beta, Standard Deviation, and Expense Ratio, secondary data was obtained from websites like AMFI, SEBI, Moneycontrol, and Value Research Online.These were used to evaluate each AMC's chosen equity mutual fund schemes' consistency and risk-return tradeoff.One hundred mutual fund investors were given a structured questionnaire to complete in order to gather primary data.Based on important selection criteria such previous performance, expense ratio, fund manager reputation, fund ratings, and AMC branding, the Rank Order Scaling approach was used to ascertain investor preferences and satisfaction levels.The data was interpreted using statistical techniques such as descriptive statistics, rank-sum analysis, and graphical representations.The results show that investors are most influenced by previous performance (NAV trends), which is followed by expense ratio and fund manager repute.Nippon India came in last in terms of investor preference, whereas HDFC Mutual Fund was the most popular AMC.While no single AMC consistently outperforms across all metrics, the study also showed that some funds exhibit more consistency in risk management, cost effectiveness, or returns.By offering both a performance-based and a perception-based assessment, this article adds to the larger conversation on investor decision-making.By highlighting the significance of a well-rounded, data-driven approach to mutual fund selection, it acts as a useful manual for investors, fund managers, and policymakers, promoting more intelligent and calculated investment behavior in India's expanding capital markets.