Mutual funds significantly increased their holdings in a narrow set of stocks this year, leading to unprecedented gains and highlighting a focused investment strategy in sectors like manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
Mutual fund managers kept piling into a narrow group of stocks this year, and many of those names have rewarded them handsomely. Data compiled by ACE MF and ACE Equity, as reported by TV9 Hindi, shows that 289 shares were held by more than 100 mutual fund schemes, with 14 of them delivering gains of between 60% and 202% in the first eight and a half months of the year.
The strongest performer in the group was Welspun Corp, whose share price rose 202% from ₹814 to ₹2,460. By August 2026, 126 mutual fund schemes held the stock, with combined equity holdings worth ₹5,198 crore, according to the TV9 Hindi report. Aditya Infotech also stood out, climbing 127% to ₹3,378, while Apar Industries advanced 113% to ₹17,801.
Several industrial and power-related companies also featured prominently. TD Power Systems gained 106% to ₹722 and was held by 105 mutual fund schemes. Ather Energy rose 105% to ₹1,550, with 194 schemes invested. Hitachi Energy India, meanwhile, increased 71% to ₹31,230 and was held by 237 schemes, making it one of the most widely owned stocks in the list.
Pharmaceutical and speciality chemical names also drew heavy institutional interest. Gland Pharma rose 69% to ₹2,908 and was held by 145 mutual fund schemes, with combined holdings of ₹12,071 crore. Sai Life Sciences climbed 70% to ₹1,546 and appeared in 164 schemes’ portfolios, while Apcotex Industries, reported in the TV9 Hindi data as Acutas Chemicals, gained 94% and was owned by 154 schemes.
Other notable winners included Data Patterns India, up 68% to ₹4,411; Laurus Labs, up 76% to ₹1,948; and Kirloskar Oil Engines, up 74% to ₹2,121. Schneider Electric Infrastructure rose 66% to ₹1,202 and was present in 100 mutual fund schemes, while Sona BLW Precision Forgings advanced 62% to ₹778 and was held by 225 schemes, the data showed.
The broad theme is clear: mutual funds were not only buying the same set of companies, but doing so in size. In several cases, the holdings ran into thousands of crore rupees, suggesting conviction in businesses tied to manufacturing, engineering, energy and speciality pharmaceuticals. Moneycontrol’s company pages for several of these stocks also show strong price momentum through September 2026, reinforcing how aggressively these names have rerated.
For investors, the list is less a recommendation than a snapshot of where professional money has been concentrated. As TV9 Hindi noted in its disclaimer, such data should not be taken as investment advice, and any decision should be made only after speaking with a financial adviser.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
