Funds

ICICI Prudential Contra Strategy PMS

About Company

ICICI Prudential AMC Ltd.

Icici Prudential is a major asset management company in the country, focusing on bridging the gap between saving and investing and building long-term wealth for investors through a variety of easy and relevant investment solutions. The AMC is a joint venture between ICICI Bank and Prudential plc, one of the major financial services companies in the United Kingdom.

Category: PMS

ICICI Prudential Contra Strategy PMS

Fund Snapshot

 

Strategy

Equity

Investment Horizon

4 Years & Above

Benchmark Index

BSE 500 TRI

Investment across

Market capitalisations

No. of Stocks

33

Top 5 Sectors Allocation

67.77%

Top 10 Stocks

61.21%

Inception Date

September 14, 2018

Investment Horizon 4 Years & Above
Fund Type Multi-Cap PMS
Benchmark Index S & P BSE 200 index
Investment across Market capitalization
Minimum Investment Amount Rs. 50,00,000
No. of Stocks 23
PE Ratio 9.69
PB Ratio 1.53
P/S Ratio 1.26
Indicative Investment Horizon The ideal investment horizon shall be 4 years and above
Direct Option Investor’s may invest with us directly as well

 

Investment Objective

ICICI Prudential PMS Contra Strategy (the “Contra Strategy”) seeks to generate capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related instruments through contrarian investing.

 

Types of Securities

The Contra Strategy predominantly invests in listed equity and equity-related securities. The Contra Strategy may also take exposure to exchange-traded derivative instruments for hedging purposes. For liquidity or defensive considerations or pending deployment, the Portfolio Manager may invest in debt, money market instruments, mutual fund schemes or debt ETFs.

 

Basis for Selection of securities

The Portfolio Manager follows a ‘Contra’ style of investing, which involves taking contrarian bets on equity stocks, i.e., taking calls/exposure on stocks that are currently not in favor in the market but are expected to do well in the long run. The Portfolio Manager may also select stocks of companies in sectors where entry barriers are high, sectors in consolidation or companies in special situations.

 

Top 5 Sectors

Banks

24.7%

Ferrous Metals

13.7%

Retailing

7.6%

Transport Services

6.4%

Auto Components

5.8%

 

Market Cap Breakup

 

Small cap

19.9%

Mid-cap

13.1%

Large cap

67.0%

 

Top 15 Holdings (%)

 

ICICI Bank Ltd 

6.15

HDFC Bank Ltd 

6.10

Bharti Airtel Ltd 

5.31

Larsen & Toubro Ltd 

4.43

Tata Steel Ltd 

4.35

Interglobe Aviation Ltd 

4.17

State Bank of India 

3.96

Vedanta Ltd 

3.52

MedPlus Health Services Ltd 

3.33

Ambuja Cements Ltd 

3.15

Axis Bank Ltd 

3.13

Vardhman Textiles Ltd 

3.02

Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd

2.96

Indian Bank 

2.90

TVS Motor Company Ltd 

2.83

Investment Framework

Core Belief: Companies create wealth, not markets

Aims to Identify Prominent Businesses, Competent Management, at Reasonable Valuations

1st Filter: Business

  • Company growing faster than industry & industry faster than market
  • Qualitative assessment based on the concept of “economic moats*”
  • Foreseeable changes in business leading to a positive outcome

2nd Filter: Management

  • Focused on growth, improving margins & prudent capital allocation
  • Competent managers with a credible track record
  • Fair corporate governance standards, with aligned shareholder interests

3rd Filter: Valuation

  • Cash flow is central in our Investment Process about a company’s value
  • Evaluation of margin of safety required according to the ‘moat’ and competence of management
  • Better risk reward profile

The Circle of Competence

  • Meaningful Growth
  • Evaluate Moat
  • Cash, not accounting profits
  • Improving HNI
  • Management Leadership
  • Evaluate Margin of Safety

Evaluation, Selection, and Sizing

  • Initial in-house screening process – 2500 Companies
  • Active coverage of company – 440 Companies
  • Applying the BMV Filtration – 100–150 Companies
  • Identifying potential Opportunities – 40-45
  • Portfolio Construction – 25–30 Companies

Contrarian Investing

High Entry Barriers Businesses going through Unfavorable Business Cycle

Investing into sector or companies where prevailing sentiments are not positive at the time of purchase. Aims to invest into Competent Players / Survivors within the sectors

Consolidation in Industry

Industry challenges leading to a reduction in players. Distress exits may create growth opportunities for existing players.

Special Situations

This may include, Mergers, Acquisitions, Changes in Holding-Subsidiary company, Product, or department spin offs, etc.

How does it work?

  • Identification of sectors or companies which are facing temporary headwinds.
  • Parameters such as RoE, RoCE, Market Cap by Cash Profit, P/E, Corporate Governance & Capital Allocation Track Record are used to determine investability
  • Concentrated portfolios of high conviction ideas.

Investment Objective

ICICI Prudential PMS Contra Strategy (the “Contra Strategy”) seeks to generate capital appreciation by investing predominantly in equity and equity related instruments through contrarian investing.

Types of Securities

Predominantly invests in listed equity and equity related securities. The Contra Strategy may also take exposure to exchange-traded derivative instruments for hedging purpose. For liquidity or defensive considerations or pending deployment, the Portfolio Manager may invest in debt, money market instruments, mutual fund schemes or debt ETFs.

Strategy-Specific Risks

The Contra Strategy predominantly selects stocks following a Contrarian style of investing.

There could be times when securities selected based on their relevancy to the investment style followed by the Portfolio Manager underperform relative to other stocks or the overall markets. This could impact performance.

  • The Contra Strategy aims at maintaining a diversified portfolio without any undue concentration in any sector or stock and the portfolio may underperform relative to concentrated portfolios during certain periods of time.
  • The Contra Strategy invests across market capitalization. Hence, risks relevant to investing in small and mid-cap stocks are also applicable for the strategy.
  • The Contra Strategy predominantly invests in equity and equity related securities including exchange-traded derivatives and liquid and other short term mutual fund schemes including liquid ETF. Below are the risk factors relevant for each security:
    • Risks related to equity and equity related instruments
    • Risks related to derivative investments
    • Risks related to investments in debt and debt related instruments

Key Structural Reforms in Past and its Impact on India Corporates

  • RERA & Goods & Services Tax
  • Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code
  • Corporate Tax Rate
  • Production Linked Incentive / China Plus One Business Strategy
  • Increase in Budgeted capital expenditure in the Union Budget of FY 2022-23 of 35%

Basis for selection of securities as a part of investment approach

The Portfolio Manager follows ‘Contra’ style of investing which involves taking contrarian bets on equity stocks, i.e., taking calls/exposure on underperforming stocks which are currently not in favor in the market but are expected to do well in the long run. The Portfolio Manager may also select stocks of companies in sectors where entry barriers are high, sectors in consolidation or of companies in special situations.

Justification of Benchmark

The Portfolio Manager under the Contra Strategy will aim to have optimal diversification across stocks and high conviction picks that have potential to generate higher alpha. S&P BSE 200 index constitutes top 200 companies by market capitalization representative of large and mid-capitalization companies. Therefore, the index is ideal benchmark for the portfolio.

Strategy : Equity

Types of Securities

The Contra Strategy predominantly invests in listed equity and equity related securities. The Contra Strategy may also take exposure to exchange-traded derivative instruments for hedging purpose. For liquidity or defensive considerations or pending deployment, the Portfolio Manager may invest in debt, money market instruments, mutual fund schemes or debt ETFs.

 

Your Portfolio Deserves More Than Luck

Luck fades. Strategy lasts. At AltPort, your portfolio is built on repeatable, data-backed processes that guide decisions year after year. We don’t rely on guesses; we rely on frameworks. If you want consistent progress instead of unpredictable swings, you’re in the right hands.

 

 

Fund Manager

Nimesh Shah

Nimesh Shah

Mr. Nimesh Vipinbabu Shah serves as our company's Managing Director and CEO.Mr. Nimesh Vipinbabu Shah serves as our company's Managing Director and CEO. He earned a bachelor's degree in commerce from the University of Bombay.He earned a bachelor's degree in commerce from the University of Bombay. He passed the final exam of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.He passed the final exam of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. He has over 31 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry.He has over 31 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry. He was elected chairperson of the Association of Mutual Funds in India ("AMFI") on October 12, 2018. He is currently a director at AMFI and a member of the ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth's governing council.He was elected chairperson of the Association of Mutual Funds in India ("AMFI") on October 12, 2018. He is currently a director at AMFI and a member of the ICICI Foundation for Inclusive Growth's governing council. He was named "India CEO of the Year" at the Asia Asset Management 2023 Best of the Best Awards, "Best Asset Management CEO India 2017" at the Global Banking & Finance Awards 2017, and "India CEO of the Year" at the Asia Asset Management 2014 Best of the Best Awards.He was named "India CEO of the Year" at the Asia Asset Management 2023 Best of the Best Awards, "Best Asset Management CEO India 2017" at the Global Banking & Finance Awards 2017, and "India CEO of the Year" at the Asia Asset Management 2014 Best of the Best Awards.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the investment approach of ICICI Prudential Contra Strategy PMS? +

ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company follows a contrarian investment strategy under this PMS. The portfolio focuses on fundamentally strong businesses that may currently be underperforming or ignored by the market but have the potential to deliver long-term growth. The strategy looks for opportunities in sectors facing temporary challenges, consolidation phases, or special situations.

2. Who should consider investing in this PMS strategy? +

This strategy is suitable for HNIs and long-term investors who are comfortable with market volatility and can stay invested for at least four years or more. Investors looking for value opportunities across large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap companies may find this strategy aligned with their goals.

3. What is the minimum investment amount in ICICI Prudential Contra Strategy PMS? +

The minimum investment required for the strategy is ₹50 lakh, in line with SEBI regulations applicable to Portfolio Management Services in India.

4. Which sectors and stocks currently dominate the portfolio? +

The strategy currently has strong exposure to banking, ferrous metals, retailing, transport services, and auto components. Major holdings include companies such as ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, Larsen & Toubro, and Tata Steel.

5. What are the major risks associated with this PMS strategy? +

Since the strategy follows a contrarian approach, investments may remain out of favor for extended periods before delivering returns. The portfolio also invests across market capitalizations, including mid-cap and small-cap stocks, which can increase volatility. Market cycles, sector underperformance, and temporary valuation mismatches may affect short-term performance.

Podcast - All Episodes Altport
Spotify - Podcast
Podcast - All Episodes Altport
YouTube · Webinar
AIF vs PMS vs GIFT City — Which Is Evolving Faster In India ?

Get In Touch

Disclaimer: Investing in AIF, PMS, Gift City or Mutual Fund is subject to market risk. Please read the related documents carefully. Past performance does not guarantee future results and there is no assurance that the managed accounts will necessarily achieve their objectives. Actual portfolios may differ as a result of account size, client-imposed investment restrictions, the timing of client investments and market, economic, and individual company factors. We at ALTPORT do not guarantee any returns in the hands of investors, nor do we take any sort of accountability for the performance of the scheme.

Related Blogs

Understanding Ultra HNI Investors in India: Definition, Meaning and Investment Profile

Read More

Why Investors Are Looking at Buoyant PMS in 2025

Read More

How to Evaluate Wright Research Investment Models Through Performance Data

Read More

SIP, STP, SWP, Switch and Top-Up in PMS: How Each Option Works

Read More