Small-cap mutual funds remained popular among investors in August, attracting ₹This is the highest inflow among equity funds at Rs 7,973 crore, according to AMFI. Bandhan Small Cap Fund ran selected small cap schemes, estimated ₹2187 crore net inflows during the month. Its assets under management grew from ₹31,103 crore in July to ₹34,176 crores in August.
The new money came along with several portfolio changes. Bandhan increased its stake in 87 existing companies and reduced its stake in 39 others. Cyient, PN Gadgil Jewelers and Strides Pharma Science were among the stocks that advanced, while Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Laser Power and Infra and Craftsman Automation cut sharply.
Bandhan Small Cap Fund adds four stocks and exits six
The fund added four stocks to its August portfolio, according to a release. These are Lalithaa Jewelery Mart, ESDS Software Solution, Lumino Industries and Happiest Minds Technologies.
Lalithaa Jewelery Mart was the largest new position, accounting for 0.49% of the portfolio. ESDS Software Solution and Lumino Industries’ stakes were 0.06% and 0.03% respectively, while Happiest Minds Technologies’ stake was disclosed at 0.00%.
At the same time, the fund has completely divested shares of six companies, namely Baazar Style Retail, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, Lumax Auto Technologies, TBO Tek, Poly Medicure and City Union Bank.
Sayent, P.N. Gadgil among stocks whose share increased
Cyient was among the notable gainers in the portfolio. Bandhan Small Cap Fund increased its holding from 42.82 lakh shares in July to 48.42 lakh shares in August, an increase of 13.1%. His portfolio weight increased from 1.17% to 1.66%.
PN Gadgil Jewelers saw much sharper growth. The fund increased its holding from 10.02 lakh shares to 28 lakh shares, an increase of nearly 180%. Portfolio allocation increased from 0.22% to 0.48%.
Strides Pharma Science saw another significant growth. The fund’s holdings rose from 17.97 million shares to 25.58 million shares, an increase of 42.3%. The portfolio weight increased from 0.59% to 0.77%.
HDFC Bank also increased its shareholding from 39 lakh shares to 49.5 lakh shares, an increase of 26.9%. The portfolio weight increased from 0.94% to 1.03%.
|
Stock |
July promotions |
August promotions |
Change |
| PN Gadgil Jewelers | 10.02 lakhs | 28.00 lakhs | +179.5% |
| Camden | 8.07 lakh | 21.99 lakhs | +172.6% |
| Emami | 3.06 lakh | 5.11 lakhs | +67.2% |
| Alikon Castalloy | 2.46 lakh | 4.05 lakh | +64.8% |
| Archean chemical industry | 5.68 lakh | 8.80 lakhs | +54.9% |
| CSB Bank | 8.22 lakhs | 12.58 lakhs | +53.0% |
| Strides Pharma Sciences | 17.97 lakhs | 25.58 lakhs | +42.3% |
| HDFC Bank | 39.00 lakhs | 49.50 lakhs | +26.9% |
| Source: Bandhan Mutual Fund. | |||
Torrent Pharma, Laser Power among stocks that fell
In August, the fund reduced its stake in 39 existing companies. Torrent Pharmaceuticals shares fell from 53,835 shares in July to 26,917 shares in August, a decrease of 50%.
Laser Power and Infra shares fell from 7.94 lakh to 3.98 lakh while Craftsman Automation’s share fell from 17,305 shares to 9,905 shares.
|
Stock |
July promotions |
August promotions |
Change |
| Torrent Pharmaceuticals | 53 835 | 26,917 | -50.0% |
| Laser power and infrared radiation | 7.94 lakhs | 3.98 lakh | -49.9% |
| Wizard automation | 17 305 | 9,905 | -42.8% |
| Finolex Cables | 3.33 lakh | 2.37 lakh | -28.8% |
| Cheese SGS Technology | 4.11 lakh | 3.00 lakh | -27.0% |
| Artemis Medicare Services | 6.10 lakhs | 4.75 lakh | -22.1% |
| Source: Bandhan Mutual Fund. | |||
The fund also reduced its holdings in Voltamp Transformers, Apar Industries, Vintage Coffee and Beverages, Samvardhana Motherson International and One 97 Communications, among others.
Bandhan Small Cap Fund has so far delivered a return of 10.95% in 2026, while its monthly return was -0.40%. Over three years, the fund has generated an annualized return of 23.90% compared to 12.33% for the BSE 250 SmallCap TRI. The fund ranked first among 34 small-cap funds based on three-year returns, according to Value Research.
