The Indian stock market saw a severe and prolonged sell-off in recent times, beginning in October 2024 and continuing until the end of February 2025. While March witnessed a strong recovery, it was not enough to fully offset the losses incurred in the previous five months. Despite the March rebound, Sensex and Nifty are down 8.17% and 8.88%, respectively, in the last six months. The sell-off has been even more pronounced in broader indices such as the BSE 250 Smallcap Index and the BSE 150 Midcap Index, which have declined by 20% and 16%, respectively, over the same period.
The severity of the equity market plunge can be imagined from the fact that, over the last six months, only three out of 519 equity mutual fund schemes have delivered positive returns. Of these 3 funds, 2 schemes are international mutual funds and one thematic fund.
Also read: International Funds: The only mutual fund category with positive returns in 2025 – Check top 10 funds!
Here are the 3 standout schemes that managed to withstand the market downturn and provide investors with positive returns.
1. Aditya Birla Sun Life International Equity Fund
Aditya Birla Sun Life International Equity Fund is a global or international equity fund that primarily invests in stocks of companies outside India.
Six-month returns: 2.63%
Launch date: 1 January 2013
Benchmark: S&P Global 1200 TRI
Assets under management: Rs 199 crore
2. Motilal Oswal Business Cycle Fund
Motilal Oswal Business Cycle Fund is a thematic equity mutual fund that follows a business cycle-based investment strategy.
Six-month returns: 2.62%
Launch date: 27 Aug 2024
Benchmark: NIFTY 500 TRI
Assets under management: Rs 1,603 crore
3. Nippon India US Equity Opportunities Fund
Nippon India US Equity Opportunities Fund is an international mutual fund. It invests primarily in equity and equity-related securities of companies listed on US stock exchanges.
Six-month returns: 2.30%
Launch date: 23 July 2015
Benchmark: S&P 500 TRI
Assets under management: Rs 725 crore
(Data source: Value Research)
The international mutual fund category has performed comparatively better than many of its peers.
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