Summary

Type	Open ended	Nature	Diversified (Equity)
Min. Investment	Rs 5,000	Face value	Rs 10
Entry Load	2.25% (Maximum)	Exit Load	Nil
Issue Opens	April 12, 2005	Issue Closes	May 3, 2005

Investment Objective

To generate long-term capital growth from an actively managed portfolio of equity and equity related securities primarily being in mid cap stocks.

Is this fund for you?

HSBC Midcap Equity Fund is the latest fund to hit the 'mid cap diversified equity fund' space. Mid cap equity funds have a higher risk profile vis-�-vis large cap equity funds. Large cap companies are well-established; boast of a track record and liquidity in the stock in most cases can be termed as 'comfortable'. Since mid caps fall short on most of these criteria, the risk of investing in them is several notches higher. We believe in at least two aspects, HMEF has an investment proposition that should make investors sit up and take notice. The first one - superior diversification in terms of stock allocations is an important trait of HSBC Mutual Fund's equity funds and HMEF will assume this trait as well. To that end, HMEF's well-diversified fund management style will help in mitigating risks from volatility in mid cap stocks. However, this is by no means a trait peculiar to HMEF. Some existing mid cap funds like Franklin India Prima Fund, Sundaram Select Midcap Fund and HDFC [Get Quote] Capital Builder also have very well-diversified portfolios (in terms of stocks). The second one - imposition of a cap on the net assets to reduce the risk levels associated with a mid cap fund. HSBC Mutual Fund appreciates that there may not be sufficient investment opportunities and liquidity in the mid cap space and have capped the net assets at Rs 700 crores (Rs 7 billion). This is a first for a mutual fund in India, although this is not uncommon in developed mutual fund markets like the USA for instance. However, in time should the fund manager believe that investment opportunities in the mid cap space have increased, he has the option to increase the ceiling from the Rs 700 crore mark. HSBC Mutual Fund's well-defined investment processes, team-based approach to investing, well-diversified portfolio strategy and consistent performance of the flagship equity fund - HSBC Equity Fund (albeit across a shorter tenure of less than 3 years), are strong positives that should make HMEF an investment option in the mid cap equity fund space.

Portfolio Strategy

HMEF will pursue a top-down investment approach. This implies that it will first make a broader sectoral selection, before honing in on mid cap stocks in that sector. The top-down investment style is consistent with HSBC Mutual Fund's equity funds. To that end, the broader sectoral selection across all three equity funds (HSBC Equity Fund, HSBC India Opportunities, HSBC Midcap Equity Fund) will be consistent, its only the stocks that will vary depending on the investment mandate of each fund. In HMEF's case, the stocks will be of the mid cap variety within the parameters the fund has defined for itself. Instrument Allocation range Companies from the CNX Midcap 200 Index or companies that fall within the market capitalisation requirement of CNX Midcap 200 Index at the point of investment. 65-100% Companies outside the CNX Midcap 200 but with a market capitalisation lower than that of the largest constituent of the CNX Midcap 200 Index. 0-35% Debt and money market instruments 0-35% The fund will be well-diversified, again in line with the style that other equity funds from HSBC Mutual Fund have adopted. To get an idea of this - as on March 31, 2005 HSBC Equity Fund and HSBC India Opportunities had 56 stocks and 63 stocks in their respective portfolios. The fund has indicated it will invest at least 65 per cent of net assets in stocks from the CNX Midcap 200 Index, which is its benchmark index or in stocks that fall within the market capitalisation requirement of CNX Midcap 200 Index at the point of investment. It can invest upto 35 per cent in stocks outside the CNX Midcap 200 but with a market capitalisation lower than that of the largest constituent of the CNX Midcap 200 Index. It can invest upto a maximum of 35 per cent in debt and money market instruments.

Fund Manager Profile

Mr. K. R. Shanbhag is the fund manager of HSBC Midcap Equity Fund. He was a Senior Analyst at HSBC Mutual Fund before graduating as the fund manager. He has been associated with the fund house since inception in 2002. Before joining HSBC Mutual Fund he was with ING Mutual Fund.

Outlook

Investors should expect above average volatility in HMEF's performance vis-�-vis a large cap diversified equity fund. This is because mid caps tend to be more volatile than large caps for reasons outlined above. However, two factors will work in HMEF's favour and make turbulence a little less worrisome. One is HMEF's superior diversification in terms of number of stocks in the portfolio. The other is the cap on net assets at Rs 700 crore which will reduce the pressure on the fund manager during a downturn in the mid cap segment when liquidity could pose a problem with other, larger-sized mid cap funds. The flexibility to invest upto 35 per cent in debt/money market instruments will also enhance the investment options at the fund manager's disposal and help in curbing volatility

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