Are small-cap funds good for long term?

Asked by: Arely Durgan  |  Last update: April 30, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (16 votes)

Small-cap mutual funds perform well over a long period of time. However, over a short period of time, they tend to be very volatile. So if you plan on withdrawing/redeeming your money from the mutual fund early, you could suffer losses. Sure, you could also make gains, but there is always the risk.

Should you invest in a small-cap for long-term?

Yes, small cap mfs are good on long term investment. 20 years time period is considered as a appropriate view on smallcap investment. That is because smallcap mfs are normally aggressive in nature. Once volatility will come, the first customer which will jump first to fire it will smallcap.

How many years is a small-cap fund good for?

Filter. Small Cap Fund : These mutual funds select stocks for investment from the small cap category, which includes all stocks except largest 250 stocks (by market capitalization). Suitable For : Investors who are looking to invest money for at least 3-4 years and looking for very high returns.

Do small caps outperform long-term?

However, between the end of 2008 and the end of 2023 small caps have outperformed, delivering a cumulative return of 521% against 466% for the large cap index over the 15-year period – although past performance should not be seen as a guide to future returns.

Are small-cap funds a good investment now?

Yes, it is prudent to invest in small-cap mutual funds if you have a high risk tolerance and a long-term horizon (7-10 years). They offer higher growth potential but come with more volatility. Ensure they form a part of a diversified portfolio to balance risk.

The Problem With Small Cap Stocks

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Will small-caps outperform in 2024?

In July 2024, U.S. small-cap stocks outperformed large-cap stocks after lagging for the first half of the year, driven by a cooler inflation report and improved market sentiment.

What is the disadvantage of small-cap fund?

The main disadvantage of a small-cap fund is its higher risk profile, making it susceptible to market volatility and economic downturns.

Are small caps good in a recession?

Most investors think smaller companies underperform in a recession. In most cases, they are correct. However, what's less well-known is that small caps usually exit recessions quicker than assumed – outperforming large caps. This rebound can begin as early as three months into an economic downturn.

Will small caps do well in 2025?

We expect small-cap earnings growth could exceed that of large-cap stocks in 2025, aided by easier earnings comparisons.

Should we invest in small-cap funds in 2024?

Small-cap funds are riskier than large-cap funds and may not be suitable for everyone. Small-cap companies are more sensitive to market changes and can experience sudden and wide price fluctuations. Small-cap companies are less popular and smaller in size, making their stock less liquid.

Is it time to exit small-cap fund?

Exit if your portfolio is becoming too concentrated in small-cap stocks. Diversification is a key risk management strategy.

Which mutual fund is best for long term?

Overview of the Best Long Term Mutual Funds
  • SBI PSU Fund. ...
  • Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund. ...
  • LIC MF Infra Fund. ...
  • ICICI Prudential Infrastructure Fund. ...
  • Invesco India PSU Equity Fund. ...
  • HDFC Infrastructure Fund. ...
  • DSP India T.I.G.E.R Fund. ...
  • Nippon India Power & Infra Fund.

Which small-cap fund gives the highest return?

Invesco India Smallcap Fund Direct Growth

Fund Performance: The Invesco India Smallcap Fund has given 21.89% annualized returns in the past three years and 30.36% in the last 5 years. The Invesco India Smallcap Fund comes under the Equity category of Invesco Mutual Funds.

What is the ideal duration for small-cap fund?

Therefore, when the market slumps, these stocks are probably the worst affected. Hence, it is important to have a long-term investment window while investing in Small-Cap Funds so that you give sufficient time to your investment to generate returns. The recommended time frame is eight to ten years.

Which cap is best for long-term investment?

Large-cap funds, focused on established companies, offer lower risk and steadier returns, making them ideal for conservative investors.

Which mutual fund is best for 10 years?

Overview of Top 10 Best Mutual Funds to Invest for 10 Years
  • Quant ELSS Tax Saver Fund. ...
  • Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund. ...
  • Quant Small Cap Fund. ...
  • HSBC Small Cap Fund. ...
  • Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund. ...
  • Kotak Small Cap Fund. ...
  • Axis Small Cap Fund. ...
  • Quant Flexi Cap Fund.

Is it safe to invest in small-cap for long term?

The small cap segment can be extremely volatile in the short term, but they have the potential to offer very high returns over a long period. Small cap schemes are recommended only to aggressive investors with a high-risk appetite and long investment horizon, say, around seven to 10 years.

Why are small caps more risky?

These stocks are inherently riskier than those of larger companies with stable revenue streams. Small-cap stocks tend to derive value from their growth potential rather than existing assets or profits, but their growth potential may never be realized.

When should I invest in small caps?

On average, small-caps have an advantage when the U.S. economy is in recovery mode. It's typically a great time to invest in small-cap stocks when the economy is rebounding, unemployment rates are decreasing quickly, and businesses are seeing strong earnings growth. Of course, small-cap stocks don't always outperform.

Will small caps do well in 2024?

The broadening of the market and the prospect for rate cuts during the rest of 2024 may serve as tailwinds for small-caps. In addition, small-cap earnings growth is expected to outpace large-caps as we head into 2025. With that in mind, we've honed our outlook for the asset class.

What is the best asset to hold during a recession?

In a recession, it's smart to preserve your capital by investing in safer assets, such as bonds, particularly government bonds, which can perform well during economic downturns.

Do small caps outperform during inflation?

While small caps have historically outperformed their large-cap brethren in periods when annual inflation has exceeded 1%, the higher interest rates that come when central banks try to reduce high inflation can be challenging for small companies.

What is the future of small-cap funds?

The future outlook for mid-cap and small-cap funds is cautiously optimistic. With India's GDP expected to grow at 6.5%-7% in FY 2025-26, sectors represented in under the mid and small cap indices are poised for expansion.

Do small-caps outperform the market?

Small-caps, on average, outperform large-caps by about a percentage point for the six months after a 50 basis point cut, she writes, and the majority of those periods see small-caps outperform by any degree. They average about three percentage points of superior returns over the 12 months following such a rate cut.