TCS, ICICI Bank among Dalal Street top stock picks by mutual fund houses

In the dynamic world of mutual funds, TCS and ICICI Bank have emerged as the top picks, with a whopping 40 fund houses choosing these blue-chip stocks for their diverse schemes. According to data from Emkay, Infosys and Maruti Suzuki closely follow suit, being owned by 39 asset management companies (AMCs) in November.

As the mutual fund landscape diversifies, the most favored consumption stock in the FMCG segment is Titan, trailed by ITC and Hindustan Unilever (HUL). Notably, Sun Pharma takes the lead in the pharmaceutical space, while Bajaj Finance secures the top spot among Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in the eyes of AMCs.

Despite challenges faced by software service exporters, IT firms have maintained a strong presence in mutual fund portfolios. TCS, with its resilience amid global economic uncertainties, continues to be a standout choice for investors. The second stock in the limelight, ICICI Bank, is steadily overshadowing its larger counterpart, HDFC Bank, garnering the most "buy" calls among Nifty companies in November.

Despite the headwinds, TCS remains a strong contender, securing impressive deal wins and demonstrating resilience in the ever-evolving IT landscape. On the other hand, ICICI Bank's stellar performance during the September quarter earnings season has positioned it as a banking sector bellwether, showcasing consistent growth and superior asset quality.

The mutual fund industry's darlings also extend to the public sector, with State Bank of India being the only PSU bank owned by at least 30 AMCs in India's 45-player mutual fund industry. SBI and NTPC emerge as the most held PSU stocks.

In a nutshell, the mutual fund realm continues to evolve, with TCS and ICICI Bank leading the charge and reflecting the strategic preferences of fund managers navigating the complexities of the market.