Single Mutual Fund vs Mutual Fund Portfolio - What's Safer

A common debate in our Belong WhatsApp community: "Should I put all my money in one good fund, or spread it across many?"

The surprising answer: Neither extreme is right.

One NRI investor we spoke with owned 10 mutual funds. He thought he was diversified. When we analyzed his portfolio, 65% of his money was invested in the same 8 stocks appearing across different schemes. He wasn't diversified. He was duplicated. 

According to Tax Buddy's analysis, this overlap cost him Rs 2 lakh in potential returns over five years. (Business Today)

The opposite mistake is equally common. Some investors put everything into a single fund, exposing themselves entirely to one fund manager's decisions, one investment style, and one AMC's processes.

At Belong, we've helped hundreds of NRIs build portfolios that avoid both traps. This guide explains exactly how many funds you need, what overlap costs you, and how to build a portfolio that's genuinely safer, not just more complicated.

Why a Single Mutual Fund Already Provides Diversification

Here's something many investors don't realize: A single equity mutual fund typically holds 50 to 100 different stocks. (Groww)

When you invest Rs 10 lakh in one large-cap fund, you're not betting on one company. You're owning small pieces of 50-100 companies across multiple sectors.

Example:

HDFC Flexi Cap Fund (as of November 2025) holds stocks across:

• Banking and financial services
• IT and technology
• Consumer goods
• Pharmaceuticals
• Automobiles
• Energy and infrastructure

One investment gives you exposure to the entire Indian economy's growth drivers. This built-in diversification is why mutual funds exist.

The question then becomes: Does adding more funds to this already-diversified portfolio make you safer, or just more complicated?

👉 Tip: Before adding a new fund, ask yourself: "What additional diversification does this provide that my existing fund doesn't already have?"

The Real Risk of Relying on a Single Fund

While one fund provides stock diversification, it concentrates other risks:

Fund Manager Risk

The success of an actively managed fund depends heavily on the fund manager's decisions. Even excellent managers can underperform for extended periods. If your entire portfolio rides on one manager's judgment, a few wrong calls can significantly impact your returns. (Fisdom)

Investment Style Risk

Every fund follows a specific style: growth, value, momentum, or quality. When that style goes out of favor (as all styles eventually do), your entire portfolio suffers.

AMC Risk

Rare but real. The Franklin Templeton debt fund crisis in 2020 showed that even large AMCs can face problems. Investors concentrated in a single AMC faced significant anxiety and liquidity issues.

Benchmark Concentration

Large-cap funds must invest at least 80% in the top 100 companies by market cap. (SEBI Guidelines) Most large-cap funds end up holding similar stocks. But mid-cap and small-cap funds have more room for differentiation.

A single fund is not dangerous. But putting 100% of your equity allocation in one actively managed fund does concentrate risks that could be spread.

The Hidden Problem: Portfolio Overlap

Now consider the opposite approach. Many investors believe more funds equal more safety. They accumulate 8, 10, even 15 mutual funds thinking they're diversified.

The reality? Most Indian equity mutual funds share 55-70% of the same top holdings. (Business Today)

What Is Portfolio Overlap?

Portfolio overlap occurs when multiple funds in your portfolio hold the same underlying stocks. Instead of spreading risk, you're multiplying exposure to the same companies.

Example:

Notice the pattern? Three different large-cap funds from three different AMCs, yet the top holdings are nearly identical. According to Dezerv's analysis, ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund and SBI Bluechip Fund have approximately 47% overlap, sharing 31 common stocks. (Dezerv)

If HDFC Bank or Reliance underperforms, all three funds suffer. You thought you were spreading risk. You were concentrating it.

👉 Tip: Use free portfolio overlap tools like those from Dezerv or Advisorkhoj before adding a new fund. Keep overlap below 40% between any two funds in your portfolio.

How Much Does Overlap Cost You?

This isn't just theoretical. Real money is lost to overlap.

The Tax Buddy Case Study:

An investor named Karan spread Rs 10 lakh across 10 mutual funds over five years. He believed more funds meant higher returns and lower risk.

Analysis revealed:

• 65% of his portfolio was concentrated in just 8 stocks
• These same stocks appeared repeatedly across different schemes
• Result: Rs 2 lakh in potential returns lost over five years due to duplication

(Business Today)

Why Does Overlap Reduce Returns?

1. Expense Multiplication: You pay expense ratios on multiple funds holding the same stocks. One fund at 0.5% expense is cheaper than three funds at 0.5% each for effectively the same exposure.

2. Diluted Returns: When one stock does exceptionally well, its impact is spread thin across multiple funds instead of being concentrated.

3. Closet Indexing: Multiple overlapping active funds often end up replicating an index. You're paying active management fees for passive returns.

As StockGro's CEO noted: "Investors holding three or four flexi-cap or large-cap funds often end up owning the same Nifty 100 stocks." (Business Standard)

The Sweet Spot: How Many Funds Do You Actually Need?

Expert consensus is clear: 3-5 funds are enough for most investors.

Expert Recommendations:

(Business Standard, FinEdge)

Why 3-5 Funds?

• One large-cap or index fund for stability
• One mid-cap fund for growth
• One small-cap or flexi-cap fund for high potential
• Optionally, one debt fund for balance
• Optionally, one international fund for geographic diversification

This structure covers all market segments with minimal overlap. Each fund serves a distinct purpose.

The Rule of Diminishing Returns:

Adding the first 2-3 funds to a single-fund portfolio significantly improves diversification. Adding funds 4-5 provides marginal benefit. Beyond 5-6 equity funds, you're likely just adding complexity and cost without meaningful risk reduction.

"A portfolio with 15 overlapping funds isn't diversified. It's just overcomplicated." (FinEdge)

👉 Tip: Before adding any new fund, ensure it serves a different purpose than your existing holdings. Two large-cap funds serve no purpose. One large-cap and one small-cap serve different goals.

When a Single Fund Actually Makes Sense

Despite the benefits of a small portfolio, there are scenarios where a single fund is entirely appropriate:

1. You're Just Starting Out

If you're investing less than Rs 5 lakh, one well-chosen flexi-cap or multi-asset fund provides adequate diversification. Adding complexity with multiple funds isn't necessary at this stage.

2. You Want Simplicity

Managing and tracking multiple funds requires time and attention. For busy NRIs who want to set and forget, a single diversified fund reduces mental overhead.

3. You're Using a Flexi-Cap Fund

Flexi-cap funds invest across large, mid, and small-cap stocks without restrictions. The fund manager adjusts allocations based on opportunities. A single flexi-cap fund like Parag Parikh Flexi Cap (with AUM of Rs 1.29 lakh crore as of November 2025) provides exposure to all market segments, including some international stocks. (5paisa)

4. You're Using a Multi-Asset Allocation Fund

These funds invest across equity, debt, and commodities (like gold) in a single structure. SEBI mandates at least 10% allocation to each of three asset classes. (AMFI)

Multi-asset funds received Rs 40,000 crore in inflows during January-November 2025, accounting for 27% of total hybrid fund inflows. (1Finance)

For an NRI wanting one-stop diversification without managing multiple funds, multi-asset allocation funds offer a compelling solution.

Single Fund Solutions: Flexi-Cap vs Multi-Asset

If you prefer the simplicity of a single fund, these two categories offer built-in diversification:

Flexi-Cap Funds

Top flexi-cap funds by AUM (November 2025):

• Parag Parikh Flexi Cap: Rs 1,29,783 crore
• HDFC Flexi Cap: Rs 94,069 crore
• Kotak Flexicap: Rs 56,885 crore

(5paisa, Kotak MF)

Multi-Asset Allocation Funds

Top multi-asset funds (1-year returns as of late 2025):

• DSP Multi Asset Allocation: 20.09%
• Sundaram Multi Asset Allocation: 17.45%
• Kotak Multi Asset Allocation: 17.18%

Much of 2025's outperformance came from gold allocation during equity market uncertainty. (1Finance)

👉 Tip: If you want the simplicity of one fund with true asset class diversification, consider multi-asset funds. For pure equity exposure across market caps, flexi-cap funds work well.

Model Portfolios by Investment Size

The right number of funds depends partly on how much you're investing.

For Rs 5-10 Lakh:

Total: 2 funds

For Rs 10-25 Lakh:

Total: 4 funds

For Rs 25-50 Lakh:

Total: 5 funds

For Rs 50 Lakh+:

Consider adding:

• Debt allocation based on age and goals
• Gold via Gold ETFs or SGBs
• GIFT City mutual funds for tax-free international exposure

(Business Standard)

Even at Rs 1 crore+, you rarely need more than 10 funds across equity, debt, and alternatives.

The AMC Concentration Question

Should you spread funds across different AMCs, or is it okay to hold multiple funds from the same fund house?

When AMC Concentration Is Risky:

• Multiple funds of the same type (two large-caps from one AMC)
• Funds that share the same stock research pool and thinking
• Significant portion of portfolio in one AMC during their operational troubles

When AMC Concentration Is Fine:

• Different fund styles from the same AMC (one growth fund, one value fund)
• Different market-cap focuses (large-cap + mid-cap from same AMC)
• AMC has strong track record and robust processes

As PrimeInvestor notes: "As long as the style and strategy of the fund differs, it is fine to hold several funds from the same AMC." (PrimeInvestor)

The Franklin Templeton crisis was specific to debt funds with credit risk exposure. Equity funds from the same AMC weren't affected. Concentration risk is about strategy and style, not just the AMC name.

👉 Tip: Don't choose funds from multiple AMCs just for the sake of it. Choose funds that offer different styles and strategies, regardless of which AMC runs them.

Avoiding the Category Trap

A common mistake: Owning multiple funds in the same SEBI category.

SEBI Category Rules Create Overlap:

(SEBI)

Since large-cap funds must invest in the same universe of 100 stocks, any two large-cap funds will inevitably have significant overlap. Holding HDFC Large Cap, ICICI Large Cap, and Axis Large Cap doesn't give you three times the diversification. It gives you roughly the same exposure with three times the expense.

Better Approach:

One fund per category, different categories:

• One large-cap or index fund
• One mid-cap fund
• One small-cap fund (optional, based on risk appetite)

This ensures each fund operates in a different stock universe with minimal overlap.

How to Check Your Portfolio for Overlap

Several free tools help identify overlap:

Dezerv Portfolio Overlap Calculator: Compare two funds side by side, see common stocks and overlap percentage. (Dezerv)

Advisorkhoj Overlap Tool: Check overlap when investing in two or more funds. (Advisorkhoj)

1Finance Calculator: Compare up to 5 funds and identify top overlapping stocks. (1Finance)

Overlap Thresholds:

Before adding any new fund, run an overlap check against your existing holdings. If overlap exceeds 50%, the new fund likely doesn't add meaningful diversification.

The Index Fund Solution

One way to eliminate fund manager risk while maintaining low-cost exposure: Index funds.

A Nifty 50 Index fund:

• Holds the 50 largest Indian companies
• Has no fund manager decisions to worry about
• Costs 0.1-0.2% expense ratio
• Provides automatic market-cap diversification

For investors who want simplicity without fund manager risk, a core allocation to index funds makes sense. Combine with one or two active funds for potential outperformance in less efficient segments like mid-caps and small-caps.

Core-Satellite Approach:

This structure captures market returns (core) while seeking outperformance (satellites) where active management has better odds.

Learn more about this approach in our guide on index funds vs actively managed funds.

👉 Tip: Even if you believe in active management, consider index funds for large-cap exposure where most active managers underperform anyway.

NRI-Specific Considerations

As an NRI, additional factors affect your portfolio construction:

1. Complexity of Managing From Abroad

Every additional fund means more statements to track, more tax implications to report, and more accounts to manage. Simplicity has real value when you're managing investments from another country.

2. KYC and Documentation

Each AMC requires separate KYC verification. Multiple funds from multiple AMCs multiply paperwork.

3. Tax Filing Complexity

More funds mean more capital gains transactions to report in your ITR. Each redemption, switch, or IDCW payout creates a taxable event.

4. US/Canada NRI Restrictions

NRIs from the US and Canada face FATCA restrictions with many Indian mutual funds. GIFT City funds offer an alternative, but options are limited. Holding 10-15 regular mutual funds isn't even possible for US/Canada-based NRIs.

5. Repatriation Considerations

Funds linked to NRE accounts are fully repatriable. Funds linked to NRO accounts have repatriation limits. Multiple funds across different account types add complexity.

Use our Residential Status Calculator to ensure your investments align with your NRI status.

The GIFT City Alternative for NRIs

For NRIs seeking simplified investing with tax benefits, GIFT City mutual funds offer unique advantages:

• Zero capital gains tax for NRIs
• Zero TDS on redemptions
• USD-denominated options available
• Single regulatory framework (IFSCA)
• No NRE/NRO account complications

A portfolio of 2-3 GIFT City funds can provide diversified equity exposure without the tax and compliance complexity of regular Indian mutual funds.

Explore options like Tata India Dynamic Equity Fund or DSP Global Equity Fund through the Belong app.

Signs You Have Too Many Funds

Review your portfolio if you recognize these patterns:

1. You Can't Name All Your Funds

If you've lost track of what you own, you have too many funds.

2. Multiple Funds in the Same Category

Two large-cap funds, three flexi-cap funds, two mid-cap funds. Each category needs only one fund.

3. Overlapping Holdings Dominate

If the same stocks (HDFC Bank, Reliance, Infosys, TCS) appear in most of your funds, you're not diversified.

4. Returns Mirror the Index

If your 10-fund portfolio delivers returns very close to Nifty 50, you've created an expensive index fund.

5. You Don't Know Why You Bought a Fund

Every fund should have a clear purpose. If you can't articulate why you own a particular fund, it's probably redundant.

6. You Chase New Fund Offers (NFOs)

NFOs are marketing events, not investment opportunities. Existing funds with track records are almost always better choices.

Signs You Need More Funds

Conversely, add funds if:

1. All Your Equity Is in One Market-Cap Segment

If you only own large-cap funds, consider adding mid-cap or small-cap exposure.

2. You Have No Geographic Diversification

100% India exposure concentrates country risk. Consider international funds or GIFT City options.

3. You Have No Asset Class Diversification

100% equity means 100% market risk. Consider adding debt funds or hybrid funds based on your goals.

4. Your Entire Portfolio Depends on One Manager

Spreading across 2-3 well-chosen funds with different managers reduces single-manager risk.

Building Your Portfolio: A Step-by-Step Approach

Step 1: Define Your Goals

What are you investing for? Retirement, children's education, property purchase? Different goals may warrant different allocations.

Step 2: Determine Your Risk Tolerance

Higher risk tolerance supports more equity and small-cap exposure. Lower risk tolerance suggests more large-cap and debt allocation.

Step 3: Choose One Fund Per Purpose

• Stable growth: Large-cap index fund or blue-chip fund
• Growth: Mid-cap fund
• High potential: Small-cap fund (if risk-appropriate)
• Flexibility: Flexi-cap fund
• Stability: Debt fund
• International: Global fund

Step 4: Check Overlap Before Adding

Use overlap tools to ensure each new fund adds genuine diversification.

Step 5: Review Annually

Market movements shift your allocation. Annual review ensures your portfolio stays aligned with goals.

Use our Compliance Compass to ensure your investments remain compliant with NRI regulations.

The Bottom Line

Safety in mutual fund investing doesn't come from quantity. It comes from thoughtful construction.

A single well-chosen fund is safer than 10 overlapping funds. But a portfolio of 3-5 distinct funds covering different market segments, asset classes, and investment styles is safer than putting everything in one manager's hands.

The key principles:

1. More funds don't mean more safety. Overlap erodes returns.
2. Different categories, not different AMCs. One fund per SEBI category is enough.
3. Check overlap before adding. Keep it below 40% between any two funds.
4. Match complexity to portfolio size. Rs 10 lakh needs 2-3 funds, not 10.
5. Consider single-fund solutions. Flexi-cap and multi-asset funds provide built-in diversification.

For NRIs, simplicity has extra value. Fewer funds mean less paperwork, easier tax filing, and simpler tracking from abroad.

Want help analyzing your portfolio for overlap? Join our WhatsApp community where NRIs share portfolios and get feedback from peers. Download the Belong app to explore GIFT City mutual funds that offer tax-free growth with simpler compliance.

Build a portfolio that's genuinely diversified, not just complicated.

Sources:

• Business Today - Investor lost Rs 2 lakh due to overlap
• Business Standard - Optimal number of mutual funds
• Groww - How many mutual funds to invest
• FinEdge - Portfolio construction guide
• Dezerv - Portfolio overlap calculator
• PrimeInvestor - AMC concentration risk
• 1Finance - Multi-asset allocation funds
• 5paisa - Flexi-cap funds
• SEBI - Mutual fund categorization