Business
Starting With Just Rs 10,000, Here’s How This Investor Built A Rs 60 Crore Portfolio
Last Updated:
His portfolio was built from scratch over 15 years, with 90% in mid- and small-cap funds averaging 17–18% returns
Calling himself a “sleepy investor,” he says he prefers steady, disciplined investing over high-risk ventures. (News18 Hindi)
The world of mutual funds has witnessed remarkable success through disciplined investing, and Gajendra Kothari’s journey exemplifies how Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) can build substantial wealth over time.
Initially, Kothari squandered Rs 50 lakh in Futures and Options (F&O) trading, but once he understood the importance of SIPs, he began investing Rs 10,000 monthly. Astonishingly, his monthly SIP now surpasses Rs 40 lakh, making his story a beacon for mutual fund investors.
Kothari, who aims to have a Rs 3,000 crore portfolio by age 65, is the founder of Etica Wealth Capital.
His entry into mutual funds began in 2004 at age 24, when he joined UTI Mutual Fund after reaching Mumbai through campus placement. At that time, the mutual fund industry was valued at Rs 2-3 lakh crore, far smaller than today’s Rs 75 lakh crore.
Kothari initially had little knowledge of mutual funds, and the industry itself offered minimal awareness. Those around him doubted the potential of wealth creation through mutual funds. In his early years, he made several mistakes—investing in ELSS funds solely for tax savings without understanding the power of compounding. With a salary of just Rs 30,000, saving in Mumbai’s costly lifestyle was challenging, and even more so after marriage.
Lost Rs 50 Lakh In F&O Trading
He later got an opportunity to work in London, where his income grew significantly. However, he soon made the biggest mistake of his life, investing two years’ savings in F&O (Futures and Options) trading. When global markets crashed in 2008, he got caught in day-trading and leveraged positions, losing Rs 50 lakh, a huge sum at the time. The loss left him shocked and wary of the markets, but it taught him a vital lesson: disciplined investing, not speculation, is key.
Gajendra Kothari said in an interview, “This was the most valuable lesson of my life, though it cost me Rs 50 lakh.” This experience inspired him to start his own firm. While at UTI, he advised high-net-worth individuals (HNIs) and realized he could simplify investing for everyday investors. In 2009, despite the industry facing challenges after SEBI’s entry load ban, Gajendra launched Etica Wealth.
Small Investment, Big Dreams
His first SIP, started in August 2010, was Rs 10,000 monthly split between small cap funds and ELSS funds. His simple philosophy was, “If I’m advising clients to invest through SIPs, I should start with one myself.” When his daughter was born in December, he continued the SIP without interruption. He neither added nor withdrew funds and never missed an installment. Over 15 years, his total investment of Rs 18 lakh grew to Rs 86 lakh, with the small-cap fund delivering a CAGR of 21% and the ELSS fund a CAGR of 18%.
Kothari said, “This is the first SIP of my life, and I will never touch it. It will be my longest-term investment and teach me the most.” This SIP showcases the power of compounding: his first installment of Rs 5,000 has grown to Rs 55,000–60,000, nearly 11–12 times. He adds, “Imagine, in 30 years, each installment could reach Rs 7 lakh, over 140 times the original amount!”
During COVID-19 in 2020, his SIP returns were just 7% after 10 years, but he remained patient. Compared to a PPF yielding 7.1% guaranteed, his investment was delivering 18%, all tax-free, as he never sold any units.
SIP Growth: From Rs 10,000 To Rs 41 Lakh
Kothari gradually increased his SIP contributions, starting with Rs 10,000, then Rs 50,000, Rs 1 lakh, and by 2020, he was investing Rs 6–7 lakh per month. Today, his monthly SIP stands at Rs 41.2 lakh, amounting to nearly Rs 5 crore annually. Gajendra earned all this money through his job and business, what is known as active income, and consistently invested it into SIPs.
Kothari advises, “Focus on active income during the first 15 years, as that forms the foundation for investments. As you grow older, passive income from SIPs will surpass it.”
About 90% of his wealth came from SIPs, achieved automatically. Whether the market was at 85,000 or 80,000, his SIPs continued uninterrupted. “If it had been done manually, you might have missed payments or stopped investing,” he adds.
Current Size Of Gajendra Kothari’s Portfolio
Kothari’s portfolio today is valued at Rs 60 crore, built from scratch over 15 years. He reveals that 90% of his investments are in mid- and small-cap funds, yielding average returns of 17–18%. He avoids FDs, PPF, crypto, and direct stocks, despite holding a CFA and an MBA in Finance. Calling himself a “sleepy investor,” he says he prefers steady, disciplined investing over high-risk ventures.
Gajendra Kothari’s Investment Strategy
Kothari’s investment strategy takes a contrarian approach. He invests in underperforming sectors—for instance, putting Rs 20 lakh into China Tech when it dropped 50%, and another Rs 40 lakh when it fell 45%. Today, his portfolio enjoys a CAGR of around 23%.
His journey wasn’t easy. The 2008 crash wiped out much of his wealth, but he learned that markets are cyclical, and volatility creates opportunities. Even during COVID, when returns fell to 7%, he remained patient.
Kothari says, “The market gives you the returns you deserve. Staying disciplined is crucial. Investing is a mathematical game. The process must never be interrupted.”
Investment Tips For Everyday Investors
- Start Small: Begin with an initial investment of Rs 10,000, gradually increasing over time.
- Automation: SIPs work best when automated, reducing the need for constant decision-making.
- Patience: Investments should continue even during market downturns, with additional funds allocated when markets show recovery.
- Active Income: Growth in income provides the source for further investments.
- Tax Efficiency: Holding investments long-term helps save on taxes.
- Portfolio Management: Maintaining a portfolio of 5–6 well-chosen funds ensures better control and diversification.
Disclaimer:Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
September 11, 2025, 17:58 IST
Read More
American Airlines
Grant Baldwin | Getty Images
American Airlines customers flying on basic economy fares will no longer earn frequent flyer miles or points toward elite status, the carrier said this week.
“We routinely evaluate our fare products to remain competitive in the marketplace. Customers who purchase a Basic Economy ticket on December 17, 2025 and beyond will not earn AAdvantage miles or Loyalty Points towards AAdvantage status,” it said. “Basic Economy customers will continue to receive one free personal item and one free carry-on bag, free snacks, soft drinks and in-flight entertainment.”
Elite loyalty members will still be eligible for first-class upgrades on domestic flights if they’re on basic economy tickets, an American spokeswoman told CNBC.
Basic economy tickets are airlines’ cheapest but most restrictive fares, rolled out across the industry over the past decade. Generally, they do not allow customers to change their tickets without fees or pick their seats in advance.
The move comes as airlines across the board have been chasing customers who are willing to spend more to fly. American has fallen behind large rivals Delta Air Lines and United Airlines in the post-Covid luxury travel boom.
American’s change, posted earlier by X user JonNYC, follows a similar policy by competitor Delta Air Lines, which said travelers on its Delta Main Basic, or basic economy tickets, wouldn’t receive Delta SkyMiles.
United Airlines does allow its MileagePlus loyalty program members to earn miles on basic economy tickets, but it has a different limitation: Basic economy customers on most flights aren’t allowed to bring a carry-on bag.
American had the same restriction after it launched basic economy fares but backpedaled in 2018.
Southwest Airlines this year launched its first no-frills basic fares that stipulate those customers will board last and get a seat assignment at check-in and earn miles at a lower rate than more expensive fares.
Business
Space funding surge: India’s private space sector raises $150 million so far this fiscal, says INSPACe chief – The Times of India
India’s space industry has attracted $150 million in funding so far in the current financial year, marking the highest-ever fund mobilisation since the government opened up the sector to private participation in 2020, INSPACe Chairman Pawan Goenka said on Thursday, PTI reported.Speaking at the India Economic Forum in New Delhi, Goenka said the funding milestone had been reached earlier this week and total investments were expected to cross $200 million by the end of the financial year. “This year will see the highest funding ever for the space sector,” he said, adding that the expected inflows would be more than double what the sector raised in the previous fiscal.Goenka said investor interest in India’s space ecosystem had picked up sharply, driven by policy reforms and expanding commercial opportunities. He added that INSPACe, which acts as both promoter and regulator for private participation in the space sector, was working to sensitise investors about emerging opportunities across launch services, satellites and downstream applications.The INSPACe chairman said India’s space economy was currently valued at around $8 billion and was projected to grow to $44 billion by 2033.He noted that much of the demand for space start-ups was coming from government departments, which had earlier relied largely on ISRO for technological solutions. Goenka added that the private sector would need to play a larger role in developing space technologies for government use.He also said private companies should increasingly look at space start-ups for technology solutions relevant to their own business needs.
Business
American Airlines starts flying the longest-range narrow-body Airbus plane. Here’s what’s inside
The economy cabin of American Airlines A321XLR.
Leslie Josephs/CNBC
American Airlines is about to fly passengers to California for the first time on a skinny, long-range plane that it hopes will change air travel. The airline’s head of network planning now has to decide where else it should fly.
The first Airbus A321XLR for a U.S. airline is scheduled to take off from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York on Thursday, bound for Los Angeles International Airport.
The XLR stands for extra long range, and with the ability to go up to 4,700 nautical miles, the plane can fly much farther than cross-country, though New York to Los Angeles is a highly lucrative route.
American will focus on routes to smaller European cities from its Philadelphia hub or from New York City that might not warrant the planes in its fleet that are larger and more expensive to operate, like a Boeing 777 or Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
American’s senior vice president of network and schedule planning, Brian Znotins, suggested in an interview with CNBC that he is considering destinations like Bordeaux and Marseille in France; Oslo, Norway; Stockholm; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Mallorca and Seville in Spain.
“It really opens up the menu for all these destinations that are just too small for a widebody,” Znotins said.
The airline will debut the planes in Europe starting in March with a nonstop flight from New York to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Airlines are increasingly turning to smaller planes for longer, nonstop flights. JetBlue Airways said it would push its Airbus A321LR — a plane that sits between a regular 321neo and an XLR, for flights to Barcelona, Spain, and Milan next year. The XLR first debuted on American’s partner, Spanish airline Iberia, in November 2024.
Premium seats
American Airlines’ Airbus A321XLR features 20 business-class suites with lie-flat seats.
Leslie Josephs/CNBC
American rolled out its new interior and configuration for the jets with the first flight Thursday.
The carrier is focusing heavily on premium seats that will take up a fifth of the plane as its executives try to catch up to more profitable rivals Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. Those two airlines in the first nine months of the year together accounted for nearly 98% of the profits of the four biggest U.S. carriers — which also include American and Southwest Airlines.
Unlike American’s Airbus 321T that has 102 seats and separate first-class and business-class cabins, the 321XLRs will have 155 seats: 20 in business class, 12 in premium economy and 123 in main cabin. That is still fewer than the standard Airbus A321s that are in American’s fleet and have 190 seats.
The new interior, with dark blue and caramel hues, is meant as an “ode to Americana,” said Rhonda Crawford, American’s senior vice president of customer experience design, who previously worked at Delta.
The privacy doors on the suites, however, won’t be able to be closed until early next year because of a certification hold up, an issue that has delayed deliveries of new planes as airlines seek more and more premium seating.
American ordered 50 of the XLR jets in 2019. The carrier said it expects to have 40 XLRs by the end of the decade. United also has the planes on order and expects to receive the first next year.
American retired its Boeing 757s and 767s, planes used often for international routes, during the pandemic and is now looking to rethink its network, while United — and Delta to a lesser degree — held onto older long-range jets.
American has also been increasing its investment in cabin refreshes and larger lounges. The airline said Wednesday that it will revamp its Admirals Club at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to grow seating by 50%.
American Airlines A321XLR.
Courtesy: American Airlines
As it makes those investments, the company’s executives are now trying to balance spending money — on items including new lounges and Champagne — with making money.
“You’re not going to close the margin gap by just continuing to drive only cost,” Nat Pieper, American’s newly appointed chief commercial officer and a longtime airline executive, told CNBC. “Is American going to spend more to be able to go chase premium revenue and improve our top line? Yes, we are, but let’s do it smartly.”
The American Airlines Airbus A321XLR premium economy cabin has 12 seats.
Leslie Josephs/CNBC
American was the first of the U.S. carriers to place an order for the XLRs more than six years ago. The planes have an extra fuel tank that gives them longer range, ushering in an era of leaner flying for long routes that can easily top eight hours, and testing passengers’ willingness to take a smaller jet.
The 321XLR also shows how airplane manufacturers Airbus and Boeing have continued to build upon older designs of aircraft over creating an all-new plane.
American Airlines no longer lets basic economy flyers earn miles
Bangladesh student leader Sharif Osman Hadi dies in Singapore hospital
Weak demand drags US textiles & apparel exports down 3.6% in Jan–Sept
-
Business5 days agoHitting The ‘High Notes’ In Ties: Nepal Set To Lift Ban On Indian Bills Above ₹100
-
Politics1 week agoTrump launches gold card programme for expedited visas with a $1m price tag
-
Tech1 week agoJennifer Lewis ScD ’91: “Can we make tissues that are made from you, for you?”
-
Business1 week agoRivian turns to AI, autonomy to woo investors as EV sales stall
-
Sports1 week agoPolice detain Michigan head football coach Sherrone Moore after firing, salacious details emerge: report
-
Fashion1 week agoTommy Hilfiger appoints Sergio Pérez as global menswear ambassador
-
Business1 week agoCoca-Cola taps COO Henrique Braun to replace James Quincey as CEO in 2026
-
Sports1 week agoU.S. House passes bill to combat stadium drones