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At the Cafemutual Confluence 2024 (CC24), Hyderabad MFD Sridhaba Mahapatro won the prestigious Big League Equity Champion Award for receiving the highest net equity inflows in south India.
South India includes Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Pondicherry and Tamil Nadu.
Powered by CAMS, the Big League Awards aim to recognize the hard work of MFDs who have achieved business milestones. It identified 24 MF champions across five broad categories – SIP, equity inflows, new folios, fintech player and overall business. The award was based purely on quantitative performance during the FY 2023-24.
Sridhaba was associated with a wealth management arm of a leading bank. He started off his mutual fund distribution business in 2019. He only caters to HNIs and ultra HNIs. Majority of his clients are families of big celebrities in South India.
Cafemutual spoke to Sridhaba to understand what helped him achieve the highest net sales in equity funds in south India.
Create long term investors
Today's investors are more knowledgeable and confident, and they are aware that equity is a volatile asset class requiring time and patience, believes Sridhaba. He makes his clients understand that short-term market fluctuations are temporary and they should maintain a long-term investment perspective.
Take staggered approach to invest in equity
The Hyderabad MFD uses STPs for strategically staggering investments over 6-8 months. He doesn't recommend lumpsum investment in equity funds. This approach allows him to deal with heightened valuation.
Educate consumers that volatility is not an enemy
MFDs should view market volatility as an opportunity, particularly for small and mid-cap investments, believes Sridhaba. He educates clients that volatility can be advantageous for systematic investors, allowing them to purchase units at lower Net Asset Values (NAVs). He also tells them not to pay attention to short-term market fluctuations.
Maintain adequate liquidity in clients’ investment portfolio
Sridhaba recommends his wealthy clients to invest in equity funds with surplus funds. He also ensures that that his clients maintain adequate liquidity to deal with unforeseen situation. This way, equity investments remain intact irrespective of market movements, said the MFD.
Thanks to these activities, Sridhaba currently manages AUM of over Rs.1000 crore of which 60% is in equity funds.
In future, Sridhaba aim to expand his business by reaching out to retail investors.
