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ASK PMS

IME Rating

IME PMS Rating

4 of 5 stars

ASK is the market leader with a strong investment policy and in-house team. Blackstone acquired a majority stake in their asset management business. Their rating has been downgraded to 4-star due to recent underperformance, but an upgrade to 5-star is possible as performance improves.

The PMS/AIF AMC Rating is derived on the basis of our analysis on 5 key qualitative parameters that we use to analyse the quality of a PMS/AIF Provider. These include an assessment of the size of the AMC, the pedigree of the AMC, the pedigree of the team, the value of the investment philosophy & the level of differentiation. These insights of our central research team are documented in the IME RMS, and can be accessed during a consultation call with an IME PMS specialist.

 

PMS Background

ASK is the largest PMS in India, as well as being one of the oldest, having started operations in 1983 by Asit Koticha. ASK has a singular focus on listed Indian equities via discretionary equity mandates, with a strong focus on mindset & philosophy alignment with their clients. As one of the oldest & most respected PMS houses, ASK is known for its disciplined adherence to its investment philosophy & processes on the back of a strong and stable research team.

Investment Philosophy

ASK’s investment philosophy revolves around 2 key aspects: capital protection followed by capital appreciation. The aim is to invest in high-quality businesses, run by high-quality management with sustained long-term growth prospects at a reasonable price. The focus is on certainty & consistency of earnings (vs. mere quantum of earnings growth) & buying high quality at a reasonable price (vs. buying mediocre companies at value prices).

Investment Team

Bharat Shah | 5-star rated FM

Executive Director | 33 yrs Experience | 17 yrs at current firm

Past Experience: Senior FM (Birla MF)

Bharat Shah is a highly respected investments professional, having overseen the growth of ASK PMS to the largest PMS in India over 2 decades. Prior to joining ASK, Bharat Shah was a very well respected equity fund manager at Birla PMS, known for large wealth creation in IT picks. Bharat Shah has been on the board of ASK since 2008.

Sumit Jain | 4-star rated FM

CIO | 20 yrs Experience | 20 yrs at current firm

Past Experience: First Global (Analyst)

Sumit has been with the ASK group for over 15 years, having started as an analyst to now being responsible for managing portfolios. Prior to joining ASK, Sumit worked as an analyst at First Global tracking the US macroeconomy and the FMCG sector.

Chetan Thacker | 4-star rated FM

Fund Manager | 18 yrs Experience | 10 yrs at current firm

Past Experience: Emkay Global (Analyst), HSBC InvestDirect (Analyst), McKinsey (Analyst)

With a strong equity research background, Chetan has sector research expertise in agriculture, chemicals, metals & mining and midcaps

PMS & Listed Equity AIF Schemes

Scheme Category 1 yr 3 yr 5 yr Since Inc
ASK Domestic Resurgence Flexi Cap 0.1 10 18.5 11.8
ASK Multicap AIF Flexi Cap
ASK Lighthouse Flexi Cap 2.5 10.6
ASK Emerging Opportunities Mid & Smallcap 2.3 8.6 17.8 11.5
ASK Select Large & Midcap -5.2 6.4 14.5 14.4
ASK Indian Entrepreneur (IEP) Large & Midcap 4.5 6.7 17.9 16.5
ASK Growth Large & Midcap -4.6 6.5 15.4 18

Returns as of 30-Apr-25

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