ITI AIF
AIFIME's View on ITI AIF
AMC View
For investors seeking absolute return long-short strategies, ITI AIF is amongst the best investment options, given the experienced fund manager and better downside protection in the last two major market corrections (IL&FS and the Pandemic) compared to other long-short strategies.
AMC Pedigree
ITI Group has diverse financial products under their umbrella. The offerings also include lending (micro-finance, SME, LAS, and Home amongst others), which could potentially be troubled due to the inherent nature of the business model. As a standalone entity, the ITI AIF is a relatively new AMC having been established only in 2018, and yet to build credentials in the larger ecosystem.
Team Pedigree
Rajesh Bhatia brings over 30 years of experience as a CIO across multiple funds, including ITI Long Short Fund, with expertise in alternative strategies. The fund has performed well in its first three years. However, it remains unclear if the CIO has any equity-linked incentives to ensure long-term commitment, given ITI's diverse business lines. We have seen the departure of Rajesh Aynor and Siddhartha Bhotika from the firm, churn remains a key risk.
Investment Philosophy
A long-short strategy can provide attractive absolute returns across market conditions, with a low correlation to other asset classes, making them an attractive addition to the portfolio. However, this requires a unique skill set to execute well, and the ITI team has shown that they have the skills to execute the strategy albeit over a shorter period.
AMC Background
ITI Group offers a bouquet of financial products. Its business verticals include Asset Financing, Asset Management, Institutional Broking and Investment Banking. Promoted by Mr. Sudhir Valia. Mr. Valia is a board member of Sun Pharma. AIF is a relatively new area for ITI. The fund (long-short) was commenced in 2018. Diverse Financial Services Group ITI Group has diverse financial products under their umbrella. The offerings also include lending (micro-finance, SME, LAS, and Home amongst others), which could potentially be troubled due to the inherent nature of the business model. As a standalone entity, the ITI AIF is a relatively new AMC having been established only in 2018, and yet to build credentials in the larger ecosystem. AIF Backed by Experienced Fund Manager Rajesh Bhatia comes with over 3 decades of experience, having been CIO at multiple funds before ITI Long Short Fund and experience in alternative strategies.Investment Philosophy
ITI LONG SHORT OBJECTIVE
- To outperform the Nifty index over a full equity market cycle, while protecting downside during equity market downturns along the way; thus lowering volatility of performance & lowering risks.
- Fund focus on long term capital appreciation.
ITI LONG SHORT FUND APPROACH
- Primarily a fundamental driven, stock-picking approach, both on the long and short side.
- Each “stock-pick” on absolute return merit; contrast to index-hugging.
- Comprehensive, yet ever-evolving checklist to filter opportunities; a thinking framework.
- Concurrently, tactical navigation of the portfolio across the market cycle; increasing risk exposure in undervalued/oversold markets & reducing risk exposures in overvalued/overbought markets
Investment team
Rajesh Bhatia | 3-star rated FM
MD & CIO | 21 yrs Experience | 8 yrs at current firm
Past Experience: CIO (Simto Investment Company), MD & CIO (ProAlpha Systematic Capital), MD & CIO (Heritage India Advisors), SVP and Head of PMS (Reliance Capital)
Rajesh Bhatia has 14 years of experience in alternative investments (Long-short). Prior to ITI Long Short, Rajesh had held the CIO position across different funds such as Simto Investments (a subsidiary of Tata Investments), Heritage India Advisors (Indian advisor to New York-based Heritage Capital, an Indian Long-short equity fund). He was also the SVP and Head of PMS at Reliance Capital at the beginning of his career. Rajesh Bhatia is a commerce graduate from HR College, and has also completed the CFA program conducted by the CFA Institute, USA.
