Franklin Tax Shield Fund

Invest in Franklin Tax Shield Fund Online

As the due date (March 31) for declaration of investments approaches, risk-averse retail investors can consider Franklin Templeton Tax Shield Scheme, among the ELSS schemes.

Having a performance record of over 16 years, the scheme has consistently beaten its peers and benchmark index, thanks to its robust stock-picking process. Its fund manager Anand Radhakrishnan's strategy of picking stocks has been consistent even if his selection doesn't match the market preference. He chooses companies which have high earnings potential, established business models and more importantly high corporate governance.

In the three-and five-year periods, when the scheme delivered returns in the range of 15-20%, its peers gave returns in the range of 13-18%.Also, it has been far ahead of its benchmark index Nifty 500 in the past three and five years.

Investors should take note of one crucial fact. Due to the scheme's relentless pursuit for quality growth stocks, it may have stocks which seem expensive. Here the rational is to pay for incremental growth of companies.Prominent among the new entrants in the scheme is State Bank of India.