Momentum Investing

Momentum investing is a strategy that capitalizes on the existing market trends. By focusing on stocks with strong recent performance, it aims to achieve higher returns by riding the wave of upward price movements. This approach relies on the belief that stocks that have performed well in the past will continue to do so in future.

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Disclaimer: #The investment risk in the portfolio is borne by the policyholder. Life insurance is available in this product. The maturity amount of Rs 1 Cr. is for a 30 year old healthy individual investing Rs 10,000/- per month for 30 years, with assumed rates of returns @ 8% p.a. that is not guaranteed and is not the upper or lower limits as the value of your policy depends on a number of factors including future investment performance. In Unit Linked Insurance Plans, the investment risk in the investment portfolio is borne by the policyholder and the returns are not guaranteed. Maturity Value: ₹1,05,02,174 @ CAGR 8%; ₹50,45,591 @ CAGR 4%. *Tax benefits and savings are subject to changes in tax laws. All plans listed here are of insurance companies’ funds.

What is Momentum Investing?

Momentum investing is a strategy that capitalizes on trends in the stock market. Investors aim to buy assets that are already experiencing price increases and hold them until the trend weakens. This approach, sometimes called "buying high and selling higher," attempts to ride the upward wave of a stock or group of stocks. Momentum investing can involve various assets, not just individual stocks, such as ETFs, mutual funds, and even futures contracts. While it can be profitable, it's important to remember that momentum investing carries the same risks as any equity investment. The core idea is that trends tend to stay for a while, so investors can make money by jumping in early and getting out at the right time.

How Does Momentum Investing Work?

Here's how momentum investing works:

Imagine you're a surfer. Momentum investing is like catching a wave - you want to get on while it's rising and ride it out for a good ride, but you also need to know when to jump off before it crashes.

Unlike traditional value investing, where you buy low and sell high, momentum investors look for assets already on the rise. They target stocks or sectors that have experienced significant growth recently and are expected to keep climbing in the mid-to-long-term.

For example: Let's say the tech industry is booming. A momentum investor won't just pick any tech stock. They'll dig deeper to find the one with the strongest momentum within that sector, often looking at past performance over 3-12 months.

Once they've identified those high-performing stocks, they invest with the belief that the prices will keep rising. But here's the tricky part: momentum investing hinges on selling at the peak. Investors need to time the market right and exit before the upward trend leaves. This is why many experts consider it a risky strategy for beginners.

What are the Benefits of Momentum Investing?

Below are the benefits of the momentum investing strategy:

High Potential Returns: In the past, momentum strategy has delivered strong returns, often exceeding those of the broader market. Investors can potentially achieve significant gains by capitalizing on stocks with upward trends.
Profiting from Market Volatility: Momentum investing thrives on market movement. Unlike buy-and-hold strategies, it doesn't shy away from volatility. Instead, it aims to use these fluctuations to the investor's advantage.
Faster Results: Compared to traditional long-term investing, momentum strategies can generate profits quickly. This can be appealing to investors seeking to build capital or achieve specific financial goals within a shorter time frame.
Versatility Across Markets: Momentum investing isn't limited to stocks. It can be applied to various asset classes, including commodities, futures, and even exchange-traded funds (ETFs), offering diversification opportunities.

Limitations or Disadvantages of Momentum Investing

Here's the downside to chasing trends:

Market Reversals: Market trends keep on changing. Momentum investing relies on the assumption that past performance predicts the future, which isn't always true. A stock that's been soaring could take a sudden plunge, leaving you holding the bag.
Buying High: By definition, you're buying assets that have already increased in price. This means you might be missing out on better deals and potentially overpaying.
Market Timing: The success of momentum investing hinges on selling when the trend peaks. This is incredibly difficult, even for seasoned investors. Being slightly off can lead to significant losses.
Emotional Investing: The fast-paced nature of momentum investing can be emotionally charged. Emotions can cloud judgment and lead to rash decisions. Similarly, watching your profits fall as the trend weakens can make it hard to stick to your exit strategy.
Limited to Bull Markets: Momentum strategies tend to perform best in bull markets where prices are generally rising. In a market where prices are falling, it can be difficult to find assets with strong upward momentum.

What are Momentum Funds?

A momentum fund is a type of investment fund designed to capitalize on short-term price trends in the stock market. These funds target stocks that have shown strong recent growth in price or earnings, with the expectation that this momentum will continue. Fund managers actively research and select these stocks to build a portfolio that benefits from upward price movements.

Here's a breakdown of the key concept:

Focus on Recent Performance: Momentum funds don't necessarily look for companies with the strongest fundamentals or long-term potential. Instead, they prioritize stocks that have been performing well recently.
Active Management: Unlike passively managed index funds, momentum funds involve the active selection of stocks by a fund manager who continuously analyzes market trends. The aim is to identify stocks with the most promising momentum for continued growth.
Short-Term Investment Horizon: While some momentum funds might hold stocks for a longer period, the overall strategy is geared towards capturing short-term gains from rising prices. Once a stock's momentum starts to weaken, the fund manager will typically sell it to reinvest in another rising stock.

Best Momentum Funds in the Market

Below are the best investment plans in India having a momentum investing strategy:

Max Life Midcap Momentum Index Fund
- This fund tracks the Nifty Midcap 150 Momentum 50 Index, investing in the top 50 mid-cap companies based on momentum.
- The fund aims to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing in the top 50 mid-cap companies based on momentum score, with potential for high growth.
- The fund follows a momentum investing strategy, focusing on stocks that have shown strong recent performance and are expected to continue growing in the future.
- The ULIP plans under this fund offer tax benefits under sections 80C and 10(10D).
ICICI Pru Midcap 150 Momentum 50 Index Fund
- ICICI Pru Midcap 150 Momentum 50 Fund aims for strong, long-term investment growth.
- Focuses on high-performing mid-sized companies.
- Invests in funds included in the Nifty Midcap 150 index.
- Market-linked fund designed to track and replicate the Nifty Midcap 150 Momentum 50 Index.
- Aims to provide returns mirroring the Nifty Midcap 150 Momentum 50 Index performance.
- Index comprises 50 high-momentum mid-cap stocks.
- Stocks are selected based on returns from the past 6 and 12 months.
HDFC Life Mid Cap Momentum Fund
- Aims for long-term capital appreciation by investing in high-growth mid-cap companies.
- Focuses on top 50 mid-cap companies based on momentum score.
- Selects top 50 out of 150 mid-cap stocks.
- Prevents any single stock from dominating the index.
- Rebalancing occurs twice a year, in June and December.
Canara HSBC Life Midcap Momentum Growth Index Fund
- The fund focuses on companies with a history of recent growth, suggesting they have the potential to keep growing rapidly.
- By investing in mid-sized companies expected to outperform the broader market, the fund aims to deliver superior returns.
- It has achieved a benchmark return of over 29.2% over 5 years
- The fund tracks a pre-defined index, investing in the top 50 mid-cap companies, eliminating the influence of any fund manager's bias.
- Offered within Canara HSBC Life's ULIPs.
Tata AIA Life Midcap Momentum Index Fund
- Aims for long-term capital growth by investing in high-performing mid-cap companies within the Nifty Midcap 150 index.
- Follows a momentum investing approach, targeting companies that have a history of strong performance and are expected to continue growing.
- Invests in the top 50 companies from the mid-cap universe, providing exposure to a variety of promising businesses.

Conclusion

Momentum investing offers the potential for strong returns by capitalizing on trends in stock prices. While momentum investing can offer significant returns, it also requires careful analysis and regular portfolio rebalancing to manage risks and maintain optimal performance. Overall, momentum investing can be a valuable tool for achieving long-term capital appreciation when implemented with a disciplined strategy.

FAQs

Do any funds use the momentum strategy in their investments?

Yes, both actively managed mutual funds and index funds that follow momentum indices, like the Nifty Midcap 150 Momentum 50 Index, incorporate the momentum investment strategy.
Are there any tax advantages to investing in momentum funds?

According to current regulations, tax benefits are only available through Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS) and Unit Linked Insurance Plans (ULIPs). ULIPs that track a momentum index can offer Section 80C tax benefits. However, this benefit is not available for ELSS since there are no momentum strategy-based ELSS schemes in India at present.
What are the main momentum indices in India?

Key momentum indices in India include the Nifty 200 Momentum 30 Index, Nifty Midcap 150 Momentum 50 Index, and the S&P Momentum Index.
Does momentum investing work in India?
The Indian stock market has shown some positive results for momentum strategies. The Nifty Midcap 150 Momentum 50 Index itself is an example. However, keep these things in mind:
- Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
- Momentum can reverse quickly.
- The Indian market can be volatile.

†Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. The sorting is based on past 10 years’ fund performance (Fund Data Source: Value Research). For a complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website, www.irdai.gov.in

Past 10 Years' annualised returns as on 01-12-2024

^The tax benefits under Section 80C allow a deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakhs from the taxable income per year and 10(10D) tax benefits are for investments made up to ₹2.5 Lakhs/ year for policies bought after 1 Feb 2021. Tax benefits and savings are subject to changes in tax laws.

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^^The information relating to mutual funds presented in this article is for educational purpose only and is not meant for sale. Investment is subject to market risks and the risk is borne by the investor. Please consult your financial advisor before planning your investments.

#The investment risk in the portfolio is borne by the policyholder. Life insurance is available in this product. The maturity amount of Rs 1 Cr. is for a 30 year old healthy individual investing Rs 10,000/- per month for 30 years, with assumed rates of returns @ 8% p.a. that is not guaranteed and is not the upper or lower limits as the value of your policy depends on a number of factors including future investment performance. In Unit Linked Insurance Plans, the investment risk in the investment portfolio is borne by the policyholder and the returns are not guaranteed. Maturity Value: ₹1,05,02,174 @ CARG 8%; ₹50,45,591 @ CAGR 4%

¶Long-term capital gains (LTCG) tax (12.5%) is exempted on annual premiums up to 2.5 lacs.

**Returns are based on past 10 years’ fund performance data (Fund Data Source: Value Research).