Best focused mutual funds to invest in October 2026
The story in brief
Focused mutual funds have a concentrated portfolio. That means that the fund manager will choose stocks based on his or her conviction and take a meaningful exposure in the stock. Such investments can pay off handsomely…
Reported by The Economic Times
Originally published Wed, 14 Oct, 2026, 9:36 am IST on economictimes.indiatimes.com. The headline and summary above are from the source’s news feed.
Why this matters
Changes in mutual fund rules, fund house strategies or category performance can affect returns, costs and taxation for millions of SIP investors.
When reading fund news, look at what changes for you: the expense ratio, exit load, risk level or tax treatment of the schemes you hold.
Who this could affect
SIP investors
Check whether the change touches your schemes’ costs, category or risk level.
New investors
Rules are designed to protect you. Understanding them helps you compare funds on more than past returns.
Retirees using SWP
Changes to taxation or exit loads can affect how much of each withdrawal you actually keep.
Key terms in this story
- SIP
- Systematic Investment Plan: investing a fixed amount in a mutual fund at regular intervals, usually monthly.
- NAV
- Net Asset Value: the per-unit price of a mutual fund, worked out at the end of each business day.
- Expense ratio (TER)
- The yearly fee a mutual fund charges, as a percentage of your investment. It is deducted from the NAV, not billed separately.
What to watch next
- SEBI circulars on fund categories, costs and disclosures
- Changes to expense ratios (TER) and exit loads in your schemes
- Monthly industry data published by AMFI
- Fund manager changes at the schemes you hold
Questions to ask yourself
- Do I know the expense ratio and exit load of each fund I own?
- Are any of my funds overlapping, holding mostly the same stocks?
- Is each fund still doing the job I bought it for?
Common questions about mutual funds
Both invest in the same portfolio. A regular plan includes a distributor’s commission in its expense ratio, in return for advice and service; a direct plan has no commission but you manage everything yourself.
For equity funds (from 23 July 2024): gains on units held under 12 months are taxed at 20%; above 12 months, gains over ₹1.25 lakh a year are taxed at 12.5%. Gains on debt funds bought from 1 April 2023 are taxed at your slab rate. Tax rules change, so check the current year’s provisions.
Every scheme must show a riskometer from “Low” to “Very High”, reviewed monthly. It shows the risk of the fund’s portfolio, so you can match it to your own comfort with ups and downs.
Not sure what this means for you?
Our team can walk you through how it affects your own money. No charge for the first review.
Understand the basics
Headlines and short summaries come from the credited sources’ public news feeds; each story page names its source and links to the original. Illustrations and “Why this matters” notes are by Ramasure. Ramasure Financial Services does not author, verify or endorse third-party reporting, and nothing here is investment advice.
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