SBI Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund — Complete Guide & Review
SBI Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund — Complete Guide & Review
Sushil Bajaj |
16 October 2025 |
📅 Last Updated on: October 17, 2025
What Is a Midcap Fund?
A midcap fund is an equity mutual fund that primarily invests in mid-sized companies — usually ranked between 101st to 250th by market capitalization in India. These companies are often in the growth stage, offering a balance between the stability of large caps and the high-risk/high-return potential of small caps.
Key Features of Midcap Funds:
Ideal for those seeking wealth creation with moderate risk appetite
Higher growth potential than large caps
More volatility than large-cap funds, but lower than small caps
Suitable for investors with medium-to-long-term horizons (5+ years)
Quick Snapshot
Parameter
Details
Fund Name
SBI Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund
Type
Equity / Index (Midcap index replication)
Launch Date
21 September 2022
Benchmark
Nifty Midcap 150 TRI
Fund Manager
Harsh Sethi
Assets Under Management (AUM)
Approx ₹ 900+ crore (varies with date)
Exit Load
0.25% if redeemed within 30 days
Min. Investment
SIP: ₹ 500 ; Lump sum: ₹ 5,000
Risk Level
Very High / Aggressive (Equity midcap index)
The official objective of SBI Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund is:
“To provide returns that closely correspond to the total returns of the securities as represented by the underlying index (Nifty Midcap 150 TRI), subject to tracking error.”
In other words, the fund does not try to outperform the index but to mirror it as closely as possible (after accounting for expenses, tracking error, cash drag).
Because of this, the fund will follow a passive / index replication style rather than active stock picking.
Benchmark Details
Benchmark Index: Nifty Midcap 150 TRI
What is TRI? TRI stands for Total Return Index, which assumes dividends are reinvested into the index.
The benchmark represents 150 midcap stocks, covering a broad spectrum of mid-sized companies in India.
The fund’s performance is measured by how closely its returns track this index (minus fees & tracking error).
Because the index includes dividends reinvested, the fund needs to account for dividend yields and corporate actions in its replication.
Why Invest in SBI Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund?
Here are some compelling reasons:
Diversified Midcap Exposure:
You get exposure to a broad set of 150 midcap companies rather than picking individual stocks.
Potential for Growth:
Midcaps tend to have higher growth potential than large caps over long term (with corresponding risk).
Lower Cost vs Active Funds:
Because this is passive, the expense ratio is lower than many actively managed midcap funds.
Discipline & Long-Term Focus:
Good for investors with 5+ year horizon who want systematic exposure to the midcap segment.
Transparency & Predictability:
Holdings, strategy and index methodology are transparent.
However, there are tradeoffs: since it is passive, you won’t beat the index (barring tracking error). Also midcap volatility must be borne by the investor.
Investment Areas — Sectors & Companies
Sector Allocation
As of the latest data, the fund’s sector weights are broadly:
Financial / Specialized Finance
Capital Goods
Healthcare / Pharmaceuticals
Services / IT
Automobile / Auto Ancillaries
Energy / Utilities
Consumer Goods / Chemicals
Others (industrial, materials, etc.)
Top Companies / Holdings
Some of the top 5 holdings commonly in the portfolio:
Midcap funds (especially index ones) can face challenges. Here’s a table summarizing common pain points and how this fund or investors might mitigate them:
Pain Point / Concern
Mitigation / What SBI Midcap Index Fund Can Do
What Investors Should Do
High Volatility / Drawdowns
Being an index fund, it tracks the market — so volatility is expected.
Maintain a 5+ year horizon, avoid panic redemptions, diversify across funds.
Tracking Error / Underperformance vs Benchmark
Fund manager minimizes error via optimal replication, cash management.
Monitor tracking error over time; compare vs index benchmarks.
Expense Ratio & Cost Drag
Low cost relative to active funds helps reduce drag.
Choose Direct plan, avoid unnecessary switching.
Liquidity / Cash Drag
Keep minimal cash buffer; invest majority in index securities.
Invest in phases (SIP) to smooth timing risk.
Tax Efficiency
Being equity fund, favorable long-term tax treatment.
Hold for more than 1 year to benefit from LTCG structure.
Limited Track Record (New Fund)
Use index as benchmark; evaluate based on tracking error and consistency.
Combine with established funds until confidence builds.
Rebalancing / Corporate Actions
Fund handles corporate events, rebalancing internally.
Be aware that small deviations due to corporate actions may occur.
Investor Behavior (timing, chasing returns)
Educate investors about long-term investing, avoid timing.
Invest via SIP, avoid panic moves, stay disciplined.
No, there is no lock-in period. You can redeem anytime (subject to exit load if within 30 days).
3. How does it compare with active midcap funds?
Active funds try to outperform but have higher costs and manager risk. This index fund gives near-index returns at lower cost but no outperformance.
4. Is this fund suitable for beginners?
Yes (with caution): if the investor understands volatility and holds for long term, index funds are simpler and transparent.
5. How often does rebalancing happen?
Rebalancing typically follows index methodology (quarterly or periodic adjustments) depending on the index provider.
The SBI Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund offers investors a cost-efficient, transparent, and disciplined way to access the midcap universe of India. Its passive, index-based approach makes it suitable for investors looking for predictable exposure (rather than aiming to beat the market). The key for success lies in staying invested for the long term, tolerating volatility, and staying disciplined.
Because the fund is relatively new, its performance record is still building — but its alignment with the Nifty Midcap 150 TRI benchmark, relatively low cost (for an equity fund), and the backing of SBI Mutual Fund (a reputable AMC) make it a strong contender in the midcap index fund space.
Disclaimer This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Before investing, you should consult a qualified financial advisor, consider your risk tolerance, investment horizon, and review the latest scheme documents, factsheet and disclosures from SBI Mutual Fund.
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