80–20 Rule - How It Works and Importance in Mutual Fund (2024)

In investing, the 80-20 rule generally holds that 20% of the holdings in a portfolio are responsible for 80% of the portfolio's growth.

EXPLORE FUNDS

80-20 Rule in Mutual Fund

EXPLORE FUNDS

3 min read

30-May-2024

The 80-20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle, is a simple but powerful concept that can help you optimise your investments. It states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the causes. In other words, a small number of factors have a large impact on the outcome.

Key Points

  • This principle suggests that roughly 80% of outcomes (outputs) come from 20% of causes (inputs). Applied to investing, it implies a small portion of your holdings might contribute to a significant portion of your returns.
  • Allocate 80% of your portfolio to lower-risk assets like index funds and 20% to potentially higher-growth assets like individual stocks.
  • Identify the 20% of your holdings driving the majority of your returns and consider adjusting your portfolio accordingly.
  • The 80/20 rule is a general guideline, not a rigid formula.
  • Tailor your investment approach based on your individual risk tolerance and financial goals.

What is the 80 20 rule?

The Pareto Principle, commonly referred to as the 80/20 rule suggests that approximately 20 percent of your efforts yield 80 percent of your outcomes, though it's more a guiding principle than a rigid mathematical law. Recognising the vital 20 percent of your actions or tasks that drive the majority of your success is crucial across various aspects of both personal and professional life.

How does the 80-20 rule work?

The 80-20 rule can be applied to various aspects of life, such as business, productivity, health, and relationships. For example, 80% of your sales may come from 20% of your customers, or 80% of your happiness may come from 20% of your activities. The key is to identify the 20% that matters the most and focus on them.

Similarly, the 80-20 rule can be applied to investing in mutual funds. Mutual funds are pooled investments that invest in a variety of securities, such as stocks, bonds, commodities, etc. They offer diversification, professional management, and convenience to investors. However, not all mutual funds are created equal. Some may perform better than others or suit your goals and risk profile better than others. Therefore, it is important to find the 20% of mutual funds that can deliver 80% of your desired returns.

Importance of the 80-20 rule in investments

The 80-20 rule can help you achieve several benefits in your investments, such as:

  • Simplifying your portfolio: By applying the 80-20 rule, you can reduce the number of mutual funds in your portfolio and focus on the ones that have the highest potential. This can save you time, money, and effort in managing your investments. It can also help you avoid over-diversification, which can dilute your returns and increase your costs.
  • Enhancing your returns: By applying the 80-20 rule, you can allocate more of your capital to the mutual funds that have the best performance and prospects. This can help you maximise your returns and compound your wealth over time. It can also help you avoid under-performing or risky mutual funds that can drag down your portfolio.
  • Aligning your investments with your goals: By applying the 80-20 rule, you canselect the mutual funds that match your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk tolerance. This can help you achieve your financial goals faster and more efficiently. It can also help you avoid emotional or impulsive decisions that can harm your investments.

How to implement the 80-20 rule in different scenarios

The 80-20 rule is not a one-size-fits-all formula. It can vary depending on your personal situation and preferences. Here are some examples of how you can implement the 80-20 rule in varying situations:

  • Scenario 1: You are a young and aggressive investor who wants to grow your wealth in the long term. You have a high risk appetite and can tolerate market fluctuations. You can apply the 80-20 rule by investing 80% of your portfolio in equity mutual funds that have a track record of delivering high returns, and 20% in debt mutual funds that can provide stability and income.
  • Scenario 2: You are a middle-aged and moderate investor who wants to balance your growth and income. You have a medium risk appetite and can tolerate moderate market fluctuations. You can apply the 80-20 rule by investing 80% of your portfolio in hybrid mutual funds that invest in a mix of equity and debt securities, and 20% in liquid mutual funds that can provide liquidity and safety.
  • Scenario 3: You are an elderly and conservative investor who wants to preserve your wealth and generate income. You have a low risk appetite and cannot tolerate market fluctuations. You can apply the 80-20 rule by investing 80% of your portfolio indebt mutual funds that invest in high-quality and low-duration securities, and 20% in equity mutual funds that can provide some growth and diversification.

Common ways of using the 80-20 rule for investments

  • By asset class: You can use the 80-20 rule to allocate your portfolio between different asset classes, such as equity, debt, gold, etc. For example, you can invest 80% in equity and 20% in debt, or 80% in debt and 20% in gold, depending on your risk-return profile.
  • By fund category: You can use the 80-20 rule to allocate your portfolio between different fund categories, such as large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap, sectoral, thematic, etc. For example, you can invest 80% in large-cap funds and 20% in mid-cap funds, or 80% in sectoral funds and 20% in thematic funds, depending on your growth potential and diversification needs.
  • By fund performance: You can use the 80-20 rule to allocate your portfolio between different fund performance, such as top-performing, average-performing, and bottom-performing funds. For example, you can invest 80% in top-performing funds and 20% in average-performing funds, or 80% in average-performing funds and 20% in bottom-performing funds, depending on your return expectations and risk appetite.

The bottom line

The 80-20 rule is a powerful concept that can help you optimise your investments in mutual funds. It can help you simplify your portfolio, enhance your returns, and align your investments with your goals. You can apply the 80-20 rule in different scenarios and ways, depending on your personal situation and preferences. However, it is always advisable to consult with a professional financial advisor before making any decisions.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you set goals with the 80-20 rule?

The 80-20 rule is a budgeting strategy that allocates 20% of your income to savings and investments, and 80% to expenses.

Is 80-20 a good investment strategy?

The 80-20 rule can be applied to investing in different ways. One way is to allocate 80% of your portfolio to low-risk, diversified assets, such as index funds, and 20% to high-risk, high-reward assets, such as individual stocks or cryptocurrencies. This way, you can balance stability and growth, while limiting your exposure to losses.

Another way is to identify the 20% of stocks or sectors that account for 80% of the market’s returns, and invest in them accordingly. However, this method is more difficult and uncertain, and can net you heavy losses instead.

Why does the 80-20 rule work?

The 80-20 rule, or Pareto Principle, works because it highlights the imbalance in cause and effect, showing that a minority of efforts often lead to a majority of results. This principle holds true across various fields, emphasising the importance of focusing on the most impactful tasks.

What is the 80% rule for mutual funds?

The 80% rule for mutual funds stipulates that at least 80% of a fund's assets must be invested in securities that correspond to the fund's stated investment objective. This ensures that the fund aligns with its intended strategy and maintains diversification within regulatory constraints.

What is the 80-20 rule in portfolio management?

In portfolio management, the 80-20 rule emphasises that a significant portion of portfolio returns often comes from a minority of investments. By identifying and focusing on the most promising opportunities, investors can optimise their portfolio performance and reduce unnecessary complexity.

How do you master the 80-20 rule?

Mastering the 80-20 rule involves identifying the key 20% of activities or tasks that yield 80% of desired outcomes. This requires careful analysis, prioritisation, and focus on the most impactful actions. Regular evaluation and adjustment of priorities can help maintain efficiency and effectiveness.

What is the 80-20 rule success list?

The 80-20 rule success list comprises the top 20% of tasks or actions that contribute to 80% of an individual's success. This prioritised list helps individuals focus their efforts on the most influential activities, maximising productivity and achieving desired goals efficiently.

What is the 80-20 rule with a suitable example?

An example of the 80-20 rule is that 20% of customers often generate 80% of a company's revenue. In sales, identifying and catering to the needs of these top customers can significantly impact profitability. Similarly, focusing on the top-performing investments in a portfolio can drive the majority of returns.

What is another name for the 80-20 rule?

The 80-20 rule is commonly known as the Pareto Principle, named after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed the unequal distribution of wealth in society. This principle has since been applied to various fields, highlighting the disproportionate impact of minority factors on outcomes.

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Bajaj Finance Limited (“BFL”) is an NBFC offering loans, deposits and third-party wealth management products.

The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute any financial advice. The content herein has been prepared by BFL on the basis of publicly available information, internal sources and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. However, BFL cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, assure its completeness, or warrant such information will not be changed.

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80–20 Rule - How It Works and Importance in Mutual Fund (5)

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80–20 Rule - How It Works and Importance in Mutual Fund (2024)
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