Know Your Fund Manager | Aman Chowhan - Senior Fund Manager - Research & Investment at Abakkus Investment Managers

Hailing from Raipur and having spent formative years in Mumbai, this finance enthusiast embarked on a journey in equity markets after earning an MBA. Currently directing multiple funds at Abakkus AMC, they emphasize thorough research and strategic equity investments aimed at sustainable growth. The thrill of navigating the ever-evolving equity landscape fuels their dedication, showcasing a deep passion for the world of finance and investment.

Let's start with your personal story

Born in Raipur, but brought up in Mumbai where I did my education. I am a Finance MBA. My father is into literature and I am the only one in my family who is in equity markets.

How did you land this job?

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Currently I head the equity investments for the PMS, AIF and offshore funds at Abakkus AMC. I have been with Abakkus since its inception and prior to that have had a long stint at Reliance Mutual Fund (now Nippon AMC) both at its India and Singapore office. I was always fascinated with equity markets and right after my MBA I entered the industry. I started as a research analyst and gradually moved up to the current role of managing funds.

Which funds are you currently managing?

ALL cap funds - This is a pioneering strategy that provides the flexibility to invest across market capitalizations without benchmark constraints, enabling true active portfolio management. The strategy seeks alpha generating opportunities across large, mid and small caps companies, capturing attractive ideas across the market spectrum. It is a benchmark agnostic portfolio of around 25-35 companies, fundamental primary research led bottom-up stock investing. The strategy focuses on a value-conscious style of investing with decent growth prospects, buy and hold strategy with an investment horizon of 3-5 years, select IPO investments as an Anchor Investor \ QIB \ Pre IPO

Emerging Funds - A diversified portfolio with a strategic bias towards mid and small cap companies. Invests primarily in companies that meet at least two of the three criteria,

1) >15% ROE (return on equity),

2) >15% earnings growth and

3) <15 P/E (Price to Earnings) Ratio.

Typically, it pursues 2nd and 3rd ranked players within the sector that offer strong growth potential at a meaningful valuation discount to the market leader. Focuses on fundamentally driven research to identify emerging investment ideas, themes and sectors

Aryabhatt India Ucits fund (Name and size of funds) - The Fund is an open-ended UCITS Article 8, sub-fund of Aryabhata Global Assets Funds ICAV, domiciled in Dublin, Ireland. The fund has garnered ~$172mn assets under management. It is a long-only, All-cap Indian equity fund with a balanced allocation framework of 40-60% Large Cap and 40-60% Mid Cap. The Fund offers daily liquidity and is available to international investors across 8 major currencies.

What is your investment philosophy and how will you describe your investment strategy?

We are a fundamental-driven, high-conviction and benchmark-agnostic investment approach, focused on identifying quality Indian businesses where earnings potential is not adequately reflected in valuations. The investment team combines bottom-up research, balance-sheet analysis and disciplined risk-reward assessment to identify fundamentally underpriced opportunities.

The investment philosophy is alpha focused, patient and long-term oriented, with an investment mindset akin to owning a business rather than trading a stock. At the same time, the team remains agile and flexible, without being constrained by a particular sector, theme or investment style. The approach embraces independent and contrarian thinking, seeking to identify opportunities early, avoiding momentum-driven investing and remaining open to businesses across sectors and market capitalisations.

What excites you most about managing other people's money?

Being part of equity markets is the bigger excitement than managing money. Each day is a new day in equities and it's a dynamic industry which makes your work interesting and eventful. It is also a very rewarding career if you do well and that keeps you motivated. The best part of investing is that you don't retire in this profession and can be active as long as you wish and you only get better with age and experience.