After registered a tepid performance in 2022, mutual funds that invest predominantly in pharma and healthcare stocks have turned outperformers among equity oriented mutual funds in 2023. So far this year, pharmaceutical funds’ category gave 21 percent returns, while the Nifty 50 index gained only 8 percent. Data shows that active fund managers are particularly interested in the small- and mid- cap segment of pharmaceutical and healthcare businesses. Aside from a strong domestic presence and healthy pipeline in the US specialty businesses, fund managers have also been picking up hospital stocks and shares of diagnostics companies. Here are the most popular smallcap pharma stocks among the active mutual fund managers. Only actively-managed schemes were considered. Data shown below is as of July 31, 2023. Source: ACEMF.
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JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals No. of active schemes that hold the stocks as of July 31, 2023: 88 MF investment value: Rs 3,021 crore
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Ajanta Pharma No. of active schemes that hold the stocks as of July 31, 2023: 55 MF investment value: Rs 2,703 crore
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Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences No. of active schemes that hold the stocks as of July 31, 2023: 46 MF investment value: Rs 4,091 crore
