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The Rise of Hybrid Funds in 2025: Balancing Risk and Returns

The Rise of Hybrid Funds in 2025

As market uncertainties and economic fluctuations continue, investors are looking for options that provide stability while still generating good returns. Because hybrid mutual funds can diversify risk while guaranteeing capital appreciation, they have become a popular option for the best investment.

According to 2024 reports, hybrid funds' net assets under management (AUM) increased by 74%, reaching Rs 8.72 lakh crore. The number of investors surged by 1.4 million, bringing the total to 13.5 million folios as of March 2024. Today, there are 149 different types of hybrid mutual funds in India. These include dynamic asset allocation funds, arbitrage funds, balanced funds, and aggressive hybrid funds.

In this blog, we'll take a look at hybrid funds, covering the different kinds, their benefits, and the reasons they've taken over the investment world in 2025.

What is a Hybrid Fund?

A hybrid fund is a type of mutual fund that invests in a mix of asset classes, primarily equities (stocks) and debt (bonds), to balance risk and returns. The main goal of hybrid funds is to achieve the best diversification possible so that investors can benefit from market upswings and be safe during market downturns. The allocation between equity and debt varies depending on the type of hybrid fund, making them suitable for investors with different risk appetites.

Some mutual funds only invest in stocks, while others focus on bonds and fixed-income securities. Investing in both types of securities is what hybrid mutual funds do, though. Hedge funds are great for cautious and risk-taking investors because fund managers manage asset allocation to ensure stability and consistent returns.

Types of Hybrid Mutual Funds

Choose different types of hybrid funds based on financial goals and risk tolerance. The most popular categories include:

1. Balanced Advantage Funds (Dynamic Asset Allocation Funds)

One of the most popular types of hybrid funds is the Balanced Advantage Fund, which is also known as its dynamic asset allocation counterpart. The balance between equity and debt in these funds is constantly changed based on how the market is doing. Fund managers increase their stock exposure to make the most of gains when markets are rising. To protect their returns during market downturns, they switch to debt instruments.

  • Number of schemes: 31 (as of March 2024)
  • Risk level: Moderate to high
  • Best suited for: Investors who prefer automated portfolio rebalancing with optimal risk management

2. Aggressive Hybrid Funds

Aggressive hybrid funds invest a significant portion (typically 65-80%) in equities and the remaining in debt securities. This makes them ideal for investors seeking higher returns while managing some risk.

  • Number of schemes: 31 (combined category with balanced hybrid funds)
  • Risk level: High
  • Best suited for: Investors with a higher risk appetite who want equity-like returns with some downside protection

3. Conservative Hybrid Funds

These funds focus primarily on debt securities (75-90%) and have limited exposure to equities (10-25%). Conservative hybrid funds are designed for low-risk investors who want stable returns with minimal market volatility.

  • Risk level: Low to moderate
  • Best suited for: Retirees or conservative investors seeking steady income

4. Arbitrage Funds

Arbitrage funds generate risk-free returns by leveraging price differences between cash and derivative markets. They typically maintain a balanced exposure to equity and debt.

  • Number of schemes: 27 (as of March 2024)
  • Risk level: Low
  • Best suited for: Investors looking for short-term, low-risk returns with tax benefits

Top 10 Hybrid Funds for Informed Investment Decisions

Because they use both stock and debt instruments, hybrid funds can be a good way to invest. For your financial decisions, here are ten hybrid funds with important information about them:

1. UTI Aggressive Hybrid Fund
  • Category: Aggressive Hybrid
  • 5-Year Return: 18.92% p.a.
  • AUM: ₹1,444 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.61%
  • Investment Strategy: Invests in a mix of equity (60-80%) and debt (20-40%) to balance risk and returns.
  • Top Holdings: Infosys, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank; debt includes government securities and corporate bonds.
2. Baroda BNP Paribas Aggressive Hybrid Fund
  • Category: Aggressive Hybrid
  • 5-Year Return: 16.13% p.a.
  • AUM: ₹1,115 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.63%
  • Investment Strategy: Focuses on equity investments with a smaller allocation to debt for stability.
  • Top Holdings: Reliance Industries, Infosys, HDFC Bank; debt includes government securities.
3. LIC MF Aggressive Hybrid Fund
  • Category: Aggressive Hybrid
  • 5-Year Return: 10.98% p.a.
  • AUM: ₹1,033 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.59%
  • Investment Strategy: Invests primarily in equity with a smaller portion in debt to manage risk.
  • Top Holdings: HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Infosys; debt includes government securities.
4. Bandhan Hybrid Equity Fund
  • Category: Hybrid
  • 5-Year Return: 16.08% p.a.
  • AUM: ₹1,021 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.55%
  • Investment Strategy: Balances equity and debt investments to provide stable returns.
  • Top Holdings: HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank; debt includes corporate bonds.
5. Edelweiss Aggressive Hybrid Fund
  • Category: Aggressive Hybrid
  • 5-Year Return: 18.85% p.a.
  • AUM: ₹1,444 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.61%
  • Investment Strategy: Focuses on equity investments with a smaller allocation to debt for stability.
  • Top Holdings: Infosys, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank; debt includes government securities.
6. HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund
  • Category: Balanced Advantage
  • AUM: ₹94,865.65 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.93%
  • Investment Strategy: Dynamically allocates between equity and debt based on market conditions.
  • Top Holdings: HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank; debt includes government securities and corporate bonds.
7. ICICI Prudential Multi Asset Fund
  • Category: Multi Asset Allocation
  • AUM: ₹50,648 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.91%
  • Investment Strategy: Invests across multiple asset classes, including equity, debt, gold, and real estate.
  • Top Holdings: Diversified across equities, debt, and gold ETFs.
8. ICICI Prudential Equity & Debt Fund
  • Category: Hybrid
  • AUM: ₹40,203 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.85%
  • Investment Strategy: Balances equity and debt investments to provide stable returns.
  • Top Holdings: HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank; debt includes government securities and corporate bonds.
9. Quant Multi Asset Fund
  • Category: Multi Asset Allocation
  • 5-Year CAGR: 27.47%
  • AUM: ₹1,321 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.64%
  • Investment Strategy: Invests across multiple asset classes, including equity, debt, gold, and real estate.
  • Top Holdings: Diversified across equities, debt, and gold ETFs.
10. JM Aggressive Hybrid Fund
  • Category: Aggressive Hybrid
  • 5-Year CAGR: 23.84%
  • AUM: ₹1,011 Crore
  • Expense Ratio: 1.58%
  • Investment Strategy: Focuses on equity investments with a smaller allocation to debt for stability.
  • Top Holdings: HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank; debt includes government securities.

These hybrid funds provide both aggressive and balanced strategies. They suit various risk levels and investment goals. Before you invest, think about your financial goals and how much risk you can handle. This helps you pick the right fund for your portfolio.

Why Are Hybrid Funds Gaining Popularity in 2025?

The popularity of hybrid funds is growing because of many things, such as market volatility, the benefits of diversification, and changing investor tastes. Here are the key reasons why investors are increasingly choosing hybrid mutual funds:

1. Diversification of Risk

One great thing about hybrid funds is that they can spread risk across different types of assets. The funds' investments in both stocks and bonds create a well-balanced portfolio that can handle changes in the market. The debt component lessens the effect of changes in the stock market, which keeps returns stable.

2. Risk Management

How hybrid funds use active risk management strategies is dynamically changing their asset allocation. Investors are protected against the risks that come with market downturns while still being able to take advantage of growth opportunities.

3. Stable Returns Amid Market Uncertainty

Investors are looking for more stable investment options as geopolitical tensions rise, the economy is uncertain, and interest rates change. When the market is uncertain, hybrid funds are the best choice because they offer a moderate risk-return tradeoff.

4. Automated Portfolio Rebalancing

When market circumstances change, hybrid funds, such as Balanced Advantage Funds, rebalance their holdings automatically. These funds are convenient because investors don't have to keep tabs on their investments or make any adjustments to them.

5. Tax Efficiency

Equity-oriented hybrid funds (with over 65% equity allocation) enjoy tax benefits similar to equity mutual funds. Long-term capital gains (LTCG) up to Rs 1 lakh are tax-free, and any gains beyond that are taxed at just 10%. This makes them an attractive investment option from a tax-saving perspective.

6. Suitability for All Types of Investors

Hybrid funds cater to a wide range of conservative and aggressive investors. Whether an investor seeks steady income, moderate growth, or high returns with risk management, there is a hybrid fund to match their financial goals.

7. Increased Investor Participation

With a surge in retail investors in India, mutual fund penetration has reached new highs. The increase of 1.4 million new investors in hybrid funds demonstrates the growing confidence in these investment vehicles. As financial literacy improves, more investors realize the benefits of hybrid mutual funds.

Key Considerations Before Investing in Hybrid Funds

While hybrid funds offer numerous benefits, investors should keep a few key points in mind before investing:

  • Understand Risk Tolerance: Different hybrid funds carry different levels of risk. Aggressive hybrid funds are riskier than conservative ones.
  • Investment Horizon: Investors should choose hybrid funds based on their investment goals, whether short-term (1-3 years) or long-term (5+ years).
  • Expense Ratio: Higher expense ratios can reduce returns. Therefore, it's essential to compare different funds before investing.
  • Past Performance vs. Future Potential: While past performance provides insights, investors should focus on a fund's strategy and future potential.
  • Tax Implications: Understanding how hybrid funds are taxed can help optimize investment returns.

Summary

The AUM of these funds has grown by 74%, and investors are becoming more interested in them. They are ideal investments because they offer stability, diversification, and automated risk management. Whether an investor is risk-averse and wants steady returns or more adventurous and wants to ride the crest of a rising tide of capital appreciation, hybrid funds have something for everyone.

If you want more detailed information before investing, visit our mutual fund distributor page to connect with your area's best mutual fund advisor. We have collected all active MFD data from the government and provided it in a detailed way to find it in an easy way without any trouble.

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FAQs about Hybrid Funds

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