Fund Manager Talk | Why you should treat ELSS funds like a regular flexi-cap investment
Rohit Singhania, Co Head — Equities, DSP Mutual Fund, recommends investors approach ELSS funds as regular flexi-cap investments since these funds aren't constrained by market-cap restrictions.
«The three-year lock-in period can also serve as a useful behavioural hack, encouraging investors to remain patient and disciplined. Investors should shift their mindset—from viewing ELSS purely as a tax-saving tool to recognizing it as a meaningful long-term investment,» he says.
Edited excerpts from a chat:
ELSS has consistently delivered higher inflation-adjusted returns compared to traditional options like PPF and fixed deposits. What makes it a superior tax-saving investment?
Unlike PPF and FDs, which offer safer but fixed returns that may not keep up with inflation, ELSS invests in equities, which have historically delivered stronger long-term growth. Equities tend to outpace inflation because they represent ownership in businesses—businesses that grow, offer valuable products and services, and have pricing power over time. This makes ELSS not just a tax-efficient option, but also a powerful wealth-building tool, combining tax savings with inflation-beating returns.
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How does ELSS compare with ULIPs and NPS, which also offer tax-saving benefits?
Over a longer period, ELSS has been a superior return product. NPS too is a low cost, low involvement product that can be a good fit for a lot of investors.
How do you approach stock selection for an ELSS fund, given the 3-year lock-in period?
We focus on