ICICI Pru Pipe
ICICI Pru PMS | Equity | | PMSIME's View on ICICI Pru Pipe
Strategy
Investment Fund
ICICI Pru PMS PIPE has delivered very strong and consistent performance since inception, supported by the expertise of Anand Shah, a seasoned investment professional. Given its robust track record and execution, the strategy is now highly recommended for investors seeking exposure to small-cap opportunities.
Fund's Strategy View
The Strategy seeks long-term capital appreciation through investments in Mid and Small Cap companies with economic moats, special situations, or those navigating unfavorable business cycles. While the strategy follows BMV Framework (Business, Management and Valuation), it remains generic compared to other funds in the market. The mandate provides the fund manager flexibility to invest in a wide range of small & mid-cap stocks. Given the high volatility in business fundamentals, governance and stock prices, a highly flexible mandate in small-caps can be a risky proposition.
Fund Performance
The fund has outperformed peers & is amongst the top performing schemes in this category in the last 5 year trailing returns. In terms of longer-term annual performance, performance has been highly consistent, with the fund having outperformed it's benchmark in over 80% of annual calendar years.
IME's View on ICICI Pru PMS
View on AMC
ICICI Pru PMS has shown a marked improvement under the leadership of Anand Shah as CIO, with stronger alignment between investment philosophy and execution. The AMC has delivered robust performance across strategies, supported by disciplined processes and access to the AMC’s extensive research ecosystem. Backed by ICICI Pru’s strong institutional framework and distribution reach, the PMS business is now demonstrating greater focus and stability, warranting a more constructive outlook.
AMC's Pedigree
ICICI Pru AMC is a top-3 Asset Manager in India, known for managing mutual fund assets. While being part of a larger asset management house has benefits like a central research team and distribution strengths, the AMC-driven PMS lacks the stability and defined processes of investor-cum-promoter driven PMS's.
AMC Team
ICICI Pru PMS previously had high FM churn, but current CIO Anand Shah, a seasoned investment professional and ex-Co-Head Equities at ICICI Pru, has improved the team's credibility. However, there remains a risk of churn as Shah is still employed.
Investment Philosophy
ICICI Pru PMS uses a loosely defined BMV framework (Business, Management, Valuation) in its investment strategy.
ICICI PIPE Portfolio-Investment Strategy
ICICI Pru PIPE Strategy aims to invest in small and mid-cap companies that satisfy one (or more) of the following criteria – an economic moat, a special situation or an unfavourable business cycle. The strategy aims to invest in companies whose market capitalisation is very small at the time of investment but has the potential to become largely based on dynamics like an upcoming business line, effective management, improving margins etc.
Investment Process
- Out of a stock universe of 2500 companies + IPOs, these companies are screened on the basis of market cap, liquidity, industry and corporate governance.
- Out of which 350 companies are screened actively. For these companies an initiation note is prepared actively covering the stock.
- There an active research that takes place based on Desk Research (Annual report analysis, quarterly result analysis, industry research and sell side research), Meeting (industry conferences, vendor meetings) and channel checks (Distributor meetings, expert meetings)
- Based on the research conducted a stock recommendation is made and the portfolio is built.
Investment Framework
They utilise a 3 filter framework in order to search for companies with meaningful and sustainable earnings growth
- Business
- Management
- Valuation
Business Economics:
- Growth defined by Company growing faster than industry, industry faster than market, that are also looking for Structural and long-term sustenance and are simple to understand and in a focused segment.
- Moats defined by Brand Franchise, Industry Structure, Technology/Patents, Cost Advantage, License area, Distribution, etc
Management and Governance
- Competence driven by Sales(Faster than sector); Margin(Improving); Capital(Smarter)
- Governance based on Interests(Aligned with shareholders); and having credible Track Record
Valuation
- Cash- Cash flow being the centre of investment Process (Intrinsic value, DCF, Dividend Yield, Op. Cash Yield, etc)
- Evaluate Margin of Safety- Identifying a greater margin of safety based on weaker moat for a better risk-reward profile.
Trailing Performance
| 1yr | 3yr | 5yr | Since Inception | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICICI Pru Pipe | -3.5 | 26.3 | 32.3 | 27.1 |
| S&P BSE 500 | -6.6 | 14.7 | 19.2 | 18.1 |
| Alpha over Broad Mkt BM | 3.1 | 11.6 | 13.1 | 9 |
| Nifty Smallcap 250 | -9.3 | 21.5 | 27.2 | |
| Alpha over Category BM | 5.8 | 4.8 | 5.1 |
Performance as of: 30-Sep-25 | Inception Date: 05-Sep-19 | Performance are post-fees, pre-taxes. Global funds denominated in USD or fund currency.
Investment team
Anand Shah | 4-star rated FM
Fund Manager | 25 yrs Experience | 5 yrs at current firm
Past Experience: VP investments (Kotak MF), Co-Head Equities (ICICI Pru AMC), Head Equities (Canara Robeco AMC), Dy CEO & Head of Investments (BNP Paribas Asset Management), CEO (NJ Asset Management)
Anand Shah is currently serving as the CIO at ICICI Prudential AMC. He brings over two decades of fund management experience, having earlier worked with ICICI Prudential AMC as Co-Head Equities. Before rejoining ICICI, he was CEO at NJ AMC, Deputy CEO and Head of Investments at BNP Paribas AMC for nearly nine years, and Head of Equities at Canara Robeco AMC. His career also includes key roles at Kotak AMC.
Chockalingam Narayanan | 4-star rated FM
Fund Manager
Past Experience: Fund Manager (BNP Paribas), Deutche Equities, Batlivala & Karani Securities
Narayanan has 15+ years of experience in fund management, and investment research. Prior to joining ICICI Pru AMC, he was at BNP Paribas, Deutche Equities and Batlivala & Karani Securities. He has a PGDM from TA Pai Management Institute, Manipal. He also passed the FRM certification by Global Association of Risk Professionals, USA.
