44% Returns in a Year: Should Investors Look at DSP Natural Resources & New Energy Fund Now?

Brokerage Free Team •March 11, 2026 | 3 min read • 4 views

Commodity cycles are among the most powerful forces in global markets. When metals, oil, and energy prices surge, companies tied to natural resources can generate outsized profits—often outperforming broader equity markets.

The DSP Natural Resources & New Energy Fund is designed to capture exactly this opportunity.

Launched in 2013, the fund invests across energy producers, mining companies, metals manufacturers, and emerging clean-energy businesses, creating a portfolio positioned at the intersection of two powerful megatrends:

  • the global commodity supercycle

  • the transition toward renewable and low-carbon energy

However, with that opportunity comes volatility—making this fund more suitable as a tactical satellite allocation rather than a core portfolio holding.

📊 Fund Snapshot

The fund currently manages around ₹1,700+ crore in assets, reflecting growing investor interest in commodity-linked investment strategies.

📈 Performance Overview

These spikes typically occur when energy and metal prices surge globally.

This behaviour is typical of sectoral commodity funds, which often deliver short bursts of strong performance followed by consolidation phases.

📉 Risk & Volatility Profile

Understanding the risk structure is critical before investing in a thematic fund.

Key Insight

Despite being a sectoral fund, the low beta suggests the portfolio does not always move in sync with broader equity markets.

This can sometimes provide diversification benefits within an equity portfolio.

🏭 Portfolio Characteristics

The fund maintains a focused portfolio of about 22 stocks, which is far more concentrated than diversified equity funds.

The relatively low valuation multiples indicate a value-oriented resource portfolio, reflecting the typically cyclical nature of commodity businesses.

🏆 Major Holdings

The portfolio includes both Indian energy companies and global resource exposure.

Top allocations include:

  • BlackRock Global Funds – ~10.9%

  • Oil and Natural Gas Corporation – ~9%

  • Jindal Steel & Power – ~8.7%

  • Tata Steel – ~8.6%

  • Oil India – ~5.6%

This mix allows investors to participate in both domestic and global commodity supply chains.

🧱 Sector Allocation

The fund’s exposure is heavily tilted toward resource-intensive industries.

Sector Allocation
Materials 40.02%
Energy & Utilities 35.17%

Together, these sectors represent the backbone of global industrial production and energy supply.

🔎 7 Hidden Insights Many Investors Miss

💰 Tax Implications

Taxation follows standard equity mutual fund rules in India.

Capital Gains

Holding Period Tax Rate
More than 1 year Gains up to ₹1.25 lakh tax-free, above taxed at 12.5%
Less than 1 year 20% tax

Dividends

  • Taxed as per investor income slab

  • 10% TDS applies above ₹10,000 annual dividend income

🎯 Who Should Consider This Fund?

This fund is best suited for investors who:

✔ Believe in the long-term commodity and energy cycle
✔ Want sectoral exposure beyond traditional equity funds
✔ Have a minimum 5–7 year investment horizon
✔ Are comfortable with periodic volatility

Many financial planners recommend allocating no more than 5–10% of total equity investments to sectoral funds like this.

🧭 Final Perspective

The DSP Natural Resources & New Energy Fund occupies a unique position in the Indian mutual fund universe.

It combines exposure to:

  • global commodity producers

  • Indian resource companies

  • emerging energy transition themes

For investors willing to ride the ups and downs of commodity cycles, the fund can serve as a powerful tactical allocation within a diversified portfolio.

However, success with such funds requires discipline, patience, and a clear understanding of commodity market cycles.

Discussion