The Mutual Fund Challenge You Can’t Lose

Scene 1: The Café CCD

Mumbai, 2020. A crowded café near Dalal Street.

Rohan (sipping chai): "I have a challenge for you. Even if you try your hardest, you can’t lose money in equity mutual funds over 5 years."

Arjun (grinning): "That’s impossible! I’ll prove you wrong. I’ll pick the worst time to invest!"

Rohan slid a ₹500 note across the table. "Bet?"

Scene 2: Arjun’s "Genius" Plan to Lose Money

March 2020

• COVID panic. Markets crashing. Headlines screamed "Worst Crash Since 2008!"

• Arjun invested ₹10 lakh in a mid-cap fund (Sensex at 26,000).

• "Perfect! I’m buying at peak fear!"

2022

• Russia-Ukraine war. Markets tanked again.

• Arjun high-fived himself: "Yes! My plan is working!"

• Ignored all SIPs, refused to rebalance.

2023-24

• Friends urged him to invest more.

• Arjun folded his arms: "No! I’m committed to losing!"

Scene 3: The Shocking Revelation (2025)

Arjun finally checked his portfolio:

Initial Investment - ₹10,00,000 (2020)

Current Value - ₹18,20,000

Arjun (staring at screen): "What?! How?!"

Rohan (smirking): "Turns out, even trying to lose in mutual funds is hard."

The Irony: Why Arjun "Failed" to Lose

1️⃣ Rupee-Cost Averaging: His lump sum bought more units when prices were low.
2️⃣ Market Recovery: Mid-cap funds delivered ~15% CAGR despite crashes.
3️⃣ Time Beat Timing: 5-year windows historically favor equity investors.

Moral of the Story

"The market rewards patience, not perfection. Even the worst-timed investment can win if you just stay put."

Final Frame:
Arjun sheepishly hands Rohan ₹500. "Fine. SIPs do work."