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ICICI Pru Pipe

AUM (6609 cr) | Inc Date (5-Sep-2019)

Scheme Rating

IME Scheme Rating

3 of 5 stars

We prefer investing in small-cap strategies that are (a) run by small-cap specialists or (b) follow a tightly defined investment philosophy that helps mitigate risk. While ICICI Pru PMS suffers from common MF-founded PMS concerns (churn in the investment team, lack of a tightly defined investment strategy), we take into cognisanse it’s strong & consistent performance since inception & the presence of Anand Shah (a senior investment professional). While not our top-rated small-cap scheme, ICICI Pru PMS PIPE can be considered for investments.

IME Strategy Rating

3 of 5 stars

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.

AMC Rating

3 of 5 stars

AMC: ICICI Pru PMS (click link for detailed AMC review)

ICICI Pru PMS faces common issues seen in large MF-driven PMS firms, such as PMS being an add-on instead of a separate business unit, turnover in the investment team, lack of commitment from the CIO, and loosely defined investment strategies. While the AMC’s distribution capabilities can aid in growth and provide research access, MF-driven PMSs generally do not measure up to PMS firms led by strong CIO-founders.

PMS Scheme Ratings are driven by IME’s Proprietary Scheme Rating Methodology, which takes into account our ratings of the Scheme’s investment strategy, its maturity, the investment team, and our separate rating on the AMC that runs this particular scheme. Our views on each of these individual criteria are available via the IME RMS – which you can view by reaching out to one of our relationship managers (using either the live chat or book appointment feature on this site).

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

  1. Out of a stock universe of 2500 companies + IPOs, these companies are screened on the basis of market cap, liquidity, industry and corporate governance. 
  2. Out of which 350 companies are screened actively. For these companies an initiation note is prepared actively covering the stock. 
  3. 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)
  4. 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

  1. Business
  2. Management 
  3. 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 -2.5 7.7 39.6 28.4
S&P BSE 500 7.4 16.8 23.6 19.2
Alpha over Broad Mkt BM -9.9 -9.1 16 9.2
Nifty Smallcap 250 7.7 24.7 37.4
Alpha over Category BM -10.2 -17 2.2

Performance as of: 31-May-25 | Inception Date: 05-Sep-19

Fund Managers

Anand Shah | 4-star rated FM

Fund Manager | 25 yrs Experience | 4 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 | 3-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.

Fee Structure

Fee Structure Fee
Fixed Fee Structure 2.5
Variable Fee Structures 1.5% fixed + 15% above 10% hurdle
Exit Fees 1yr (1%)

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