2025 once again underlined a core investing reality: markets can be uncomfortable in the short run, but steady discipline, sensible diversification, and the passage of time remain the investor’s strongest allies. In this backdrop, the mutual fund industry can justifiably take pride in its role in shaping financial futures and enabling millions of Indians to participate more meaningfully in wealth creation. The year also demonstrated that robust, long-horizon investing, grounded in clear frameworks, data-driven decisions, and a nuanced understanding of investor behaviour, sits at the heart of sustainable wealth building.

At FundsIndia, this conviction defines our Five Fingers of Investing, strengthened by a human touch. Much like building a balanced Test cricket side that can win across conditions, our focus is on helping investors construct all-weather portfolios, rather than chase episodic performance. Throughout the year, our focus has remained on helping investors rise above market noise and behavioural biases through a blend of rigorous research, clarity, empathy, and grounded expectations. Our insights continue to demonstrate that staying invested, phasing allocations where needed, and maintaining a well-diversified mix across equity, debt, gold, and global assets have historically delivered more consistent and rewarding outcomes.

Looking ahead, India’s structural growth story is underpinned by a set of powerful near term triggers: a visible pickup in government and private capex, income-tax cuts in the February 2025 Budget, GST 2.0 rate rationalisation, an expected turn towards a dovish monetary policy, support from lower oil prices and the upcoming 8th Pay Commission, which together are estimated to add meaningfully to GDP over the next few years. As we enter 2026, it is essential to recognise that returns are rarely linear; volatility is the cost of long-term wealth creation. A thoughtfully diversified portfolio, anchored in asset allocation, systematic investing, and patience, remains the most effective way to navigate uncertainty while staying aligned with long-term financial goals.

Akshay Sapru, Group CEO, FundsIndia