Quant Mutual Fund’s qSIF Hybrid Long-Short Fund returned 21.81% over three months, 27.43% over six months and 30.59% since inception, as of October 9, 2026, according to SIF India’s performance dashboard.
Its benchmark, the Nifty 50 Hybrid Composite Debt 50:50 Index, returned 2.90% over three months and declined 1.37% over six months. The fund’s Direct Growth plan had a net asset value (NAV) of ₹13.084 on October 9.
The fund’s hybrid long-short strategy combines equity arbitrage, fixed-income investments and derivative positions, offering multiple potential sources of returns beyond conventional long-only equity exposure.
However, the available disclosures do not establish how much each component contributed to its recent performance.
India’s specialised investment fund (SIF) framework was introduced in 2025, and the category is still in its early stages.
SIFs allow eligible investors to access strategies with greater investment flexibility than conventional mutual funds, including certain long-short and derivative-based approaches.
What may have worked for the fund?
The fund’s investment approach has three broad components that can contribute to returns.
Equity arbitrage
Arbitrage strategies seek to benefit from price differences between related securities or market positions. Returns depend on the spreads available, the cost of executing and maintaining positions, and how those spreads change. Such strategies do not depend solely on a sustained rise in equity prices.
Fixed-income investments
The scheme can invest in debt and money-market instruments, which may generate interest income. Returns can also be affected by changes in bond prices, interest rates and the credit quality of issuers. These investments provide a potential source of returns beyond equities, but carry risks of their own.
Long-short equity positions
The fund can use derivatives to take long and short positions within the scheme’s limits. A short position can benefit when the underlying security falls in price, but can lose money if the price rises. Long positions remain exposed to the risk of falling prices.
Quant’s March 2026 factsheet describes the strategy as combining equity arbitrage, income from fixed-income securities and potential capital appreciation through long-short derivative positions.
These are possible sources of returns, not proof that any particular strategy drove the latest gains.
What does the portfolio reveal?
SIF India’s portfolio data as of August 31, provides a snapshot of how the strategy was positioned before the latest reported performance period ended.
| Portfolio measure | Reported exposure |
|---|---|
| Equity | About 52% |
| Debt | About 25% |
| InvITs | About 6% |
| Average unhedged long exposure | About 49% |
| Average short exposure | About 6% |
| Average net exposure | About 43% |
| Portfolio beta at month-end | 0.17 |
(Source: SIF India; portfolio figures are as of August 31, 2026. Figures may not add up to 100% because of rounding, other holdings and differences in how exposures are measured.)
The figures indicate that the fund had both long and short exposure while retaining net exposure to the market.
Its debt and infrastructure investment trust (InvIT) allocations also extended its portfolio beyond conventional equities.
The data does not, however, show whether individual positions made or lost money during the three- or six-month period.
Establishing the drivers of performance would require comparable portfolio disclosures and a return-attribution analysis for the relevant periods.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
SIF India’s performance dashboard reports the following returns as of October 9, 2026:
| Period | qSIF Hybrid Long-Short Fund | Benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| One month | 2.33% | 0.17% |
| Three months | 21.81% | 2.90% |
| Six months | 27.43% | -1.37% |
| Since inception | 30.59% | -0.59% |
(Source: SIF India. Returns are for the periods displayed on its performance dashboard.)
The fund’s returns were substantially higher than those of the benchmark over the three- and six-month periods.
However, the comparison does not reveal the amount of risk taken to generate those returns or whether the same performance can be sustained.
What should investors know before investing?
Quant’s qSIF Hybrid Long-Short Fund has a stated minimum investment of ₹10 lakh and uses the Nifty 50 Hybrid Composite Debt 50:50 Index as its benchmark.
The hybrid label does not guarantee lower risk. Equity prices can fall, debt investments carry credit and interest-rate risks, and derivatives can introduce additional complexity and potential losses. Short positions can also lose money if prices move against the fund.
Investors should review the scheme’s investment strategy information document, risk disclosures, exit terms and performance across different market conditions before investing.
FAQs
Why has Quant’s qSIF Hybrid Long-Short Fund performed strongly?
The strategy has several potential sources of returns, including equity arbitrage, fixed-income investments and long-short derivative positions. Available disclosures do not establish which component contributed most to the reported gains.
Does a long-short strategy protect investors when markets fall?
No. Short positions may offset some losses or generate gains when prices fall, depending on the positions taken. They can also lose money when prices rise, while long positions remain exposed to market declines.
Does the fund’s beta of 0.17 mean it has low risk?
No. SIF India reported a beta of 0.17 at the end of August 2026. Beta measures a portfolio’s sensitivity to movements in a benchmark over a specified period; it does not capture every risk or set a limit on potential losses.
What is the minimum investment in the fund?
The stated minimum investment is ₹10 lakh. Investors should check the latest scheme documents for applicable eligibility requirements, investment terms and exit conditions.
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NOTE TO READERS
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Readers should consult certified experts before making any investment decisions.