I have invested in UTI dividend yield fund in recent time for a horizon of 6 years. The xirr is 2%. Should I switch the fund?

Ans: It is good that you are checking the investment rather than simply looking at the 2% XIRR and immediately switching. Since you mentioned that the investment was made only recently and your actual horizon is 6 years, the present XIRR alone is not enough to judge the fund.

» A 2% XIRR Does Not Automatically Mean the Fund Is Bad

– XIRR tells you the return earned on your actual cash flows till today.

– For a recent equity investment, the number can change significantly within a short period.

– If you invested through SIP, many of your instalments may have been invested only for a few months.

– Therefore, a 2% XIRR today should not be compared with the long-term return you expect from equity.

Equity investments should not be judged from a short observation period.

» Understand the Nature of a Dividend-Yield Fund

A dividend-yield-oriented equity fund follows a particular investment style.

It generally focuses significantly on companies having characteristics such as established businesses, cash generation and dividend-paying ability.

This style can perform very differently from the broader equity market during different periods.

There can be phases when:

– Growth-oriented companies perform better.

– Mid and small caps perform better.

– Dividend-oriented companies lag.

And there can be another market cycle where the opposite happens.

Therefore, temporary underperformance alone is not enough reason to exit.

» The Bigger Question Is Why You Selected This Category

Before switching, ask yourself:

– What financial goal is this investment meant for?

– Why was a dividend-yield category selected for that goal?

– What percentage of your overall portfolio is invested here?

– What other equity categories do you already hold?

– Is this fund playing a specific diversification role?

– Is your risk profile suitable for equity?

This is more important than the present XIRR.

If the fund was purchased simply because its previous returns looked attractive, then the original selection itself needs review.

» Six Years Needs Some Caution

You mentioned a 6-year horizon.

Six years is not a very long period for depending completely on equity, particularly if the money is required on a fixed date.

The market can be weak even when your goal is approaching.

So if this money is meant for an important goal exactly 6 years from now, your complete asset allocation needs attention.

As the goal gets closer, risk may need to be gradually reduced rather than keeping the entire amount exposed to equity until the final year.

» When Should You Actually Consider Switching?

I would consider a switch when there are stronger reasons such as:

– The fund no longer suits your financial goal.

– The category allocation is unsuitable for your portfolio.

– There is a meaningful and sustained deterioration in investment strategy.

– Fund-management changes have affected the investment process.

– Risk has increased beyond what you are comfortable with.

– There is prolonged underperformance across relevant market cycles compared with suitable peers and category expectations.

– Your overall portfolio has unnecessary overlap.

A low XIRR for a few months is not in the same category as these issues.

» Avoid the Performance-Chasing Cycle

One common investor mistake goes like this:

A fund performs well -> investor enters -> performance slows -> investor becomes disappointed -> switches to another recent winner -> that fund slows -> switches again.

Over many years, the funds may generate reasonable returns while the investor earns much less because of poor timing.

This is called the investor behaviour gap.

For long-term investing, selecting an appropriate portfolio and staying disciplined can be more important than continuously searching for the current best performer.

» Review the Entire Portfolio, Not This Fund Alone

I would not review this investment in isolation.

Suppose your overall portfolio already contains:

– Diversified equity funds.

– Mid-cap exposure.

– Small-cap exposure.

– Other thematic/style-based funds.

Then this dividend-oriented allocation may have a different role.

On the other hand, if this is your only major equity fund, you need to ask whether such a style-oriented category should form the core of your portfolio.

For many investors, the core portion can be built around well-selected actively managed diversified equity funds, while more specialised categories can play a limited supporting role where suitable.

» Do Not Switch Without Checking Tax and Exit Load

If you finally decide to move from one mutual fund to another, remember that a switch is generally treated as redemption from the existing fund and a fresh investment into the new fund.

Therefore, check:

– Exit load.

– Holding period of each investment.

– Capital-gains taxation.

– Whether there is actually a gain or loss.

For equity-oriented mutual funds, STCG is currently taxed at 20%.

LTCG above Rs. 1.25 lakh in a financial year is currently taxed at 12.5%, subject to applicable conditions.

So unnecessary switching can create tax and transaction consequences.

» What I Would Do at This Stage

Based only on the information given, I would not switch merely because the current XIRR is 2%.

Instead:

– Continue monitoring the investment.

– Check how long your money has actually been invested.

– Review the fund against its investment style and suitable peers.

– Examine your complete portfolio allocation.

– Connect this investment to the financial goal for which it was made.

– Review whether a 6-year equity exposure suits that goal.

If the fund still fits the portfolio and its investment process remains sound, short-term weak performance can be given time.

» Final Insights

A 2% XIRR looks disappointing, but the number needs context.

You have invested recently, while your planned horizon is 6 years. Judging an equity fund from its short-term XIRR can lead to an unnecessary switch.

More importantly, do not ask only, "Is this fund performing?"

Ask, "Why is this fund in my portfolio, and is it still suitable for my goal?"

If the answer to that question is clear, temporary underperformance becomes much easier to handle.

If the money is required exactly after 6 years, also create a plan to gradually reduce risk as the goal approaches. Your investment strategy should not depend on the equity market being favourable exactly when you need the money.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

AMFI-Registered MFD – ARN 4188

www.holisticinvestment.in

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramalingamcfp/