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Quest PMS

IME Rating

IME PMS Rating

3 of 5 stars

Quest AMC, founded by Ajay and Bharat Sheth, has added Aniruddha Sarkar to their team from IIFL. Despite past outperformance, recent performance is a concern. We would hold off on recommending the PMS for investments until 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.

 

AMC Background

Quess was set up in the 1980’s by Ajay Sheth, as an institutional equity research firm focussed on small & mid caps. On the back of a rich research heritage, they launched their PMS services in 2007 and have scaled into one of the larger PMS houses in India (Top 10-20 ranking).

Investment Philosophy

The investment philosophy is driven by a set of investment principles, that include

  • Management: Unquestionable management track record on ethics and execution capability
  • Strong businesses: Strong leadership position in its domain and within the industry, with strong pricing power and not a ‘me too’ player in the industry
  • Profitability: Companies with strong ROE which are upward trending and steady or growing margins
  • Scalable Opportunities: Companies which have exponential growth potential owing to large addressable market compared to its current size
  • Financial Strength: Strong cash flow generation and ability to pass through difficult times owing to strong balance sheet. Look at manageable leverage in books lower than industry average.
  • Valuation: comfort with enough margin of safety

Portfolio Construction

Portfolio is a blend of ‘Growth’ and ‘Value’ stocks.

  • Growth Stocks (35-45% in sectors such as financials, NBFCs, and consumer discretionary): Companies which are cycle resistant and continue to deliver in all markets typically high EPS growth and high ROCEs
  • Re-rating Stocks (35-45% in sectors such as technology, chemicals, Pharma, and consumer discretionary): Companies which are in a large expansion mode or on the cusp of an industry disruption mode and have the potential for high EPS growth (typically mid-teens) and improving ROEs
  • Value Stocks (15-25% in sectors such as capital goods, autos, cement and telecom): Companies in sectors which have recently seen a downturn and available at deep value typically low teen EPS growth and low teen ROE/ROCEs

Investment Team

Bharat Sheth | 5-star rated FM

Head Equities | 45 yrs Experience | 31 yrs at current firm

Bharat Sheth is a highly seasoned & respected investment professional, having spearheaded the growth of Quest’s advisory & PMS business over the past 25 years. Being part of the core founding team, he has provided the much-needed stability and thought leadership that has helped Quest grow into one of the larger PMS providers in India.

Aniruddha Sarkar | 3-star rated FM

CIO | 17 yrs Experience | 5 yrs at current firm

Past Experience: IIFL AMC (FM)

Aniruddha joined Quest in Feb-2020, after a successful stint of over 10 years at IIFL across various roles including Fund Manager for the MF & PMS and as a research analyst.

PMS & Listed Equity AIF Schemes

Scheme Category 1 yr 3 yr 5 yr Since Inc
Quest Multi Large & Midcap 16.9 15.9 21.9 16.4
Quest Flagship Large & Midcap 16 11.9 17.9 16.5

Returns as of 31-Jan-25

Free 30-Day Trial of the IME RMS

Details shared above, are only a short-snapshot of the more detailed analysis that resides in IME’s Proprietary RMS (Research Management Solution).

The IME RMS is the first tool ever, to give investors direct access to the insights of the central research team. Investors gain direct access to our ratings, rating rationales & analysis across thousands of funds (MFs, PMSs, AIFs, Global funds), asset classes, categories & more.

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