A smarter way to invest

For a long time, active investing dominated the investment landscape. The allure of picking winning stocks, the thrill of trying to beat the market and the promise of star fund managers have kept investors engaged. However, the numbers tell a different story. Over long periods, most actively managed large-cap funds struggle to outperform their benchmarks consistently. Yet, investors continue to pay high fees for the promise of superior returns - returns that often fail to materialise. At Value Research, we believe that smart investing is not about chasing the next big thing but about making rational, evidence-based decisions. This is why we are launching 'Index Investor', a dedicated initiative covering index funds and ETFs (exchange-traded funds) - a category that, while simple in concept, has the potential to fundamentally improve investor outcomes. Why index funds? An index fund does exactly what it promises - it tracks an index. Whether it's the Nifty 50, Sensex or broader indices like the Nifty 500, these funds mirror the market rather than attempting to beat it. The result? Lower costs, greater transparency and a more predictable investmen

This article was originally published on April 17, 2025.