Are mid-cap stocks safe?
Thanks to their more established business models and footholds in their respective industries, mid-cap companies are generally considered to be less risky investments than small-caps.
Synopsis. Financial planners believe long term equity investors can consider an investment in large and midcap schemes. They could start a long term systematic investment plan (SIP) in this category which can give dual benefits of stability offered by large caps and the growth.
This stage of growth is likely to determine whether a company eventually lives up to its full potential. Mid-cap stocks generally fall between large caps and small caps on the risk/return spectrum. Mid caps may offer more growth potential than large caps, and possibly less risk than small caps.
Volatility: Mid-cap stocks can be more volatile than large-cap stocks, with their prices subject to significant fluctuations. Liquidity: In some cases, mid-cap stocks may have lower trading volumes, making it more challenging to buy or sell shares, particularly in large quantities.
Large-cap funds are less risky than small and mid-cap funds. Small and mid-cap funds have higher growth potential than large-cap funds. Large-cap funds are good for conservative investors. Mid and small-cap funds are suitable for medium-risk takers to aggressive investors.
Mid cap funds provide an able alternative for investors to derive benefit from mid-cap stocks over the long term. Investors should however note that since these tend to be riskier than the large caps, they should limit their exposure to this category.
India's small and midcap share indexes lost about $47 billion in combined market value this week after the country's markets regulator raised concerns about 'froth' and suggested mutual funds limit lump sum investments.
If, on the other hand, the economy begins to slow down or enter a recession, then mid-cap companies will outperform small-caps. As seen in the figure below, mid and small-caps (represented by the S&P 600) perform well in the early stages of the business cycle as soon as people sense a recovery.
Small-cap stocks are riskier and more volatile investments, as they do not have the same financial resources large-caps do and are still developing their businesses.
To find an appropriate investment mix for your time horizon, find your age and the corresponding portfolio allocation. A typical mixture could include 60% large-cap (established companies), 20% mid-cap/small-cap (small to medium-sized compa- nies), and 20% international (companies outside the U.S.) stocks.
Who should invest in mid-cap?
You should invest in these schemes only if you have very high risk tolerance. You should also have a longer investment horizon of, say, seven to 10 years. A longer investment horizon would help investors to navigate the volatility better.
Small-caps tend to offer fast growth but high volatility. And midcaps offer a balance between financial stability and growth potential, says Karim Ahamed, an investment adviser for Cerity Partners in Chicago. Midcaps also offer industry diversification to a portfolio of large-caps and small-caps.
![Are mid-cap stocks safe? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mJWLDsFVRaI/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNAFEJQDSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLD09pRdO-UoP8E5J0KijqWfrcf_cw)
The growth potential of mid caps can be compelling as they expand their market share, enter new markets, or innovate in their respective industries. Additionally, we believe mid cap companies are generally more agile and can quickly adapt to changing market conditions and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
Key Takeaways. Mid-cap companies tend to outperform large-caps during bull markets. During periods of falling prices, mid-caps either move in lockstep or underperform the large-cap group.
In terms of their investing attributes, mid-cap stocks typically are less risky, experience less volatility and may have less growth potential than small-caps—but they are more risky, experience more volatility and have higher potential gains than large-cap stocks.
Unlike the more stable large-cap stocks, small-cap stocks can be far more volatile. So mid-cap funds have the potential to offer higher returns than large-caps without being too risky like the small-cap fund category. But they still have some element of risk that is higher than those of large-cap funds.
Scheme Name | Plan | 1Y |
---|---|---|
LIC MF Mid cap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth | Direct Plan | 49.86% |
Mahindra Manulife Mid Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth | Direct Plan | 64.73% |
ITI Mid Cap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth | Direct Plan | 66.92% |
Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund - Direct Plan - Growth | Direct Plan | 62.18% |
The reason someone would consider investing in a small- and mid-cap strategy is to diversify the risk associated with one or the other. A strictly small cap strategy means that your assets are betting on smaller companies performing well under any market condition, which is often not the case.
Majority of mid-cap and small-cap stocks are currently overvalued. Despite recent corrections, mid-cap and small-cap stocks are trading above their fundamental values, raising concerns about further decline.
SNo. | Top Mid-Cap Stocks | Industry |
---|---|---|
1. | Abbott India Ltd | Pharmaceuticals |
2. | Mphasis Ltd | IT - Software |
3. | Colgate-Palmolive (India) Ltd | FMCG |
4. | Gland Pharma Ltd | Pharmaceuticals |
What are top mid-cap stocks?
Stocks | Mkt Cap(CR) | Price |
---|---|---|
Suzlon Energy | 54,423.53 | 39.98 |
SJVN | 48,808.06 | 124.20 |
Bank Of Maharashtra | 43,479.63 | 61.40 |
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency | 43,152.06 | 160.55 |
CRSP defines mega-cap stocks as those that represent the top 70% of the U.S. market by market cap. By CRSP's definition, stocks making up the next 15% of the U.S. market's aggregate market cap are mid-cap stocks. But CRSP defines the large-cap segment as the top 85% of U.S. stocks ranked by market cap.
Equity Sectors
On the negative side, energy and infrastructure stocks have been the hardest-hit in recent recessions. Companies in these sectors are acutely sensitive to swings in demand. Financials stocks also can suffer during recessions because of a rising default rate and shrinking net interest margins.
Most stocks and high-yield bonds tend to lose value in a recession, while lower-risk assets—such as gold and U.S. Treasuries—tend to appreciate.
The Bottom Line
There are many reasons why it's better for investors to not sell into a bear market and stay in for the long term. This is why it's important to understand your risk tolerance, your time horizon, and how the market works during downturns.
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