What Is Portfolio Management and How Does It Work?

20-MAY-2025
11:00 AM
What is portfolio management and how does it work
Table of Content
  • Introduction
  • What is Portfolio Management?
  • Portfolio Management Meaning Explained: How does it work?
  • Objectives of Portfolio Management
  • Benefits of Portfolio Management
  • Who Should Opt for Portfolio Management?
  • Difference between Portfolio Management vs Financial Planning?
  • Conclusion

Introduction

With the investing environment created around, everyone wants to invest in options like equities, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and more. But not all have a detailed understanding of the market. Precisely, they lack insights into how different market forces impact yields. At this point, where a person is limited to knowledge, portfolio managers come to the rescue.

With their portfolio management service, they can guide you on how to groom your portfolio and also strategize the yields with a practical investment approach. These managers ensure that the portfolio does not get extreme exposure to the market, the risk associated with it, and a lot more.

Throughout this blog, we will understand the meaning of portfolio management, the types of PMS services available, objectives, benefits, how it works, and much more.

What is Portfolio Management?

According to the portfolio management definition, it is a professional service offered by individuals (or portfolio managers) who manage clients' investments and provide a strategy to grow them. These professionals work on behalf of the client to align their investment goals with the portfolio.

With their expertise and professionalism, portfolio managers try to create an investment basket that includes a variety of investments, such as equity, bonds, options, mutual funds, ETFs (exchange-traded funds), and more. They also allocate assets according to your risk appetite and investment profile to further elevate the portfolio.

Portfolio Management Meaning Explained: How does it work?

Portfolio management refers to the strategic selection, allocation, and oversight of assets within the portfolio. Likewise, when the market turns volatile, fund managers adjust the portfolio while balancing the ongoing risk.

Think of it as a nutritionist who tries to give you a customized diet as per your body's requirements. The same applies to your investments as well. And that's what portfolio management means!

However, the process of portfolio management is not just managing the investments but a lot more. It includes:

  • Identifying the investment goals:

    It involves identifying the client's investment goals, what they expect, and what they wish to achieve. It can include retirement planning, wealth creation, or passive income generation.
  • Assessment of risk appetite:

    Before proceeding with the strategy, it is necessary to understand the client's risk tolerance level and the type of investor they are.
  • Reviewing capital markets:

    Unquestioningly, suggesting remedies without evaluating the environment is a foolish move. Hence, examining the market conditions and reviewing the risk yield of asset classes further helps managers in developing effective strategies.
  • Developing Investment Strategy:

    Once the fund manager understands the market and the client's investment goals, they can proceed with drafting a strategy. This mix can include assets (equity, debt, gold, etc.) that create the required balance of risk yield. Consider it a diet plan suggested by the nutritionist, which is a mix of carbs, protein, fats, etc.
  • Implementing the Strategy:

    Once the plan is ready, it can be discussed with the potential client and take the lead on further implementation. At this point, the portfolio manager agrees to manage your portfolio and make adjustments when needed (during market volatility).
  • Reviewing and revisiting the portfolio:

    At frequent intervals, the portfolio managers may revisit the portfolio and rebalance if the asset mix has slightly varied (compared to the original mix).

Objectives of Portfolio Management

Before taking portfolio management services, it is better to understand the objectives as to why one should be enrolling for them. Some of the common reasons are as follows;

  • Enhancing yields
  • Appreciating the capital
  • Risk optimization
  • Protection against market volatility
  • Fulfilling investment goals (like retirement planning, wealth creation, etc.)
  • Improve the overall efficiency of the portfolio
  • Tax efficiency
  • Liquidity management

Benefits of Portfolio Management

If you plan to take PMS services, you and your portfolio are eligible for certain benefits. It includes:

  • Professional expertise:

    Experience of portfolio managers helps in curating an investment strategy suitable for your goals, appetite, and investments.
  • Flexibility and customization:

    With the option of customization, fund managers offer solutions favorable to your investment demands. Also, PMS gives the flexibility to managers to monitor the portfolio's performance and adjust investments, likewise.
  • Efficient risk management:

    Fund managers at frequent intervals analyze the market risks, its adversity, and suggest solutions apt for the portfolio.
  • Diversification over asset classes:

    Now that risk management comes in handy, your portfolio also receives adequate diversification into various asset classes - a mix of equities, debt, gold, etc.
  • Strong regulatory framework:

    With a SEBI-registered framework and regulations, PMS companies are deemed to follow them. This eventually builds trust and confidence in the investments vested with such managers.

Who Should Opt For Portfolio Management?

Precisely, you should consider portfolio management if;

  • Someone who lacks knowledge of stock markets or has a limited understanding of investments.
  • Individuals under the HNIs (High-net-worth) and UHNIs (Ultra-net-worth individuals) categories.
  • Anyone who does not have time to monitor and track investments.
  • Individuals looking for diversification into multi-asset classes like debts, equities, and so on.
  • Someone unaware of the market volatility eventually wants to safeguard their assets.

Difference Between Portfolio Management vs Financial Planning?

The basic difference between portfolio management and financial planning is planning and execution. Financial planning involves devising an investment strategy based on your risk tolerance level, income, and ability to invest. However, portfolio management involves actually managing those investments and making adjustments when required.

Other distinct features are discussed below:

Parameter

Portfolio Management

Financial Planning

Meaning Managing the investments Devising a plan that manages your financial life
Purpose Focused on optimizing the yields and balancing the risk Covers savings, budgeting, retirement planning, estate planning, and more
Who provides it? Portfolio manager or PMS company Certified financial planner (CFP) or advisory firm
Ideal for? HNIs, UHNIs, or someone who lacks knowledge in investments Anyone with income and financial goals

Conclusion

Portfolio management isn't just about picking the right stocks. It's about building a strategic and well-balanced investment plan that reflects your financial goals, risk appetite, and time horizon. Whether done personally or through professional services, effective PMS helps you stay disciplined, diversified, and aligned with your long-term financial vision. So, whether you are HNI, UHNI, or someone with no knowledge about market volatility or investments, PMS can be your go-to person.

FAQs

What is the role of a portfolio manager?

The role of a portfolio manager is to:

  • Analyze the client's existing investments.
  • Inform them about investment tools.
  • Select the optimal asset mix.
  • Oversee the market
  • Manage risk performance
  • Adjust the portfolio.

How much money is required for PMS?

The minimum amount required to avail portfolio management services is ₹50 lakhs. Thus, it makes a suitable option for high-net-worth individuals.

What factors do you need to consider when you build your investment portfolio?

Some common factors worth consideration for portfolio managers are risk (investment-related), market volatility, and the client's understanding of the market.

Want to Talk to Us?

Invest Now