Man of the Match: Identifying the Best Performing Stocks in Your Portfolio

In every match, there’s one standout performer. This is the player who turns the tide, seizes the moment, and earns the Man of the Match. It could be a blistering knock under pressure, a five-wicket haul out of nowhere, or even a quiet, steady hand that holds the innings together.

Similarly, in your investment portfolio, not all players contribute equally. Some stocks shine during rallies, others provide stability during crashes, and a few might drag the team down.

The challenge is to identify your match-winners – that is, those stocks that consistently deliver value, outperform benchmarks, and help you chase your financial targets.

Let’s explore how you can spot these star performers in your portfolio using smart tools, solid data, and the knowledge gained by tracking markets over different trading cycles..

The Scorecard Never Lies: Evaluating Stock Performance

In cricket, performance is measured through hard stats – runs, wickets, strike rate, and economy. The scoreboard is honest, objective, and often brutal.

The same goes for investing. Emotional attachment to a stock is like sticking with an out-of-form opener because of past glory. It’s critical to evaluate sectoral performances, management quality, market volatility, and financial performance before investing in it. But beyond just price appreciation, seasoned investors look at deeper metrics like momentum, market sentiment, liquidity and capital inflows etc.

In this regard, AngelOne’s OI Profile can serve as your performance analyst for derivatives trading. OI, or Open Interest, tells you the overall market sentiment on the active contracts currently available for trading in a derivative contract. When plotted on a chart, the OI Profile reveals where active traders are taking positions, and more importantly, where smart money is flowing.

An increase in both price and open interest signals bullish strength, akin to a batsman scoring at a brisk rate with full control. If price falls but OI increases, it might be a sign of market participants having a negative outlook on the underlying asset, expecting its price to decline further or a short-selling pressure, like a batsman under siege.

In the Angel web app, you can overlay OI Profile directly on charts. This gives you real-time insight. It’s the cricket equivalent of knowing a batter’s form, fitness, pitch preference, and opponent weakness before sending them in to bat.

Strike Rate Matters: Consistent vs. Flashy Performers

Some stocks behave like a T20 finisher – volatile but capable of explosive returns. Others are like Test anchors – low-risk, consistent, and vital in the long game.

To balance your portfolio, you need both. But you also need to identify who’s doing what.

AngelOne’s Top Recommended ETFs feature can prove helpful for you here. ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) provide diversified exposure across sectors or indices, and the recommended list is curated by experts based on current market trends and performance data.

Think of ETFs as your all-rounders. They may not hit centuries every game, but they contribute with both bat and ball. They deliver stability, diversification, and steady returns.

The top-recommended list filters out underperformers and highlights funds that are in form. It helps you pick your team based on recent match stats rather than reputation.

Combining OI Profile (for tactical plays) with ETF recommendations (for strategic positioning) gives you a comprehensive view of your portfolio’s bench strength and star players.

Man of the Match Criteria: What to Look For

So, what really makes a stock the Man of the Match in your portfolio? Here’s what you should be looking for:

1. Performance vs Benchmark: Is the stock consistently outperforming its index? Just like a player scoring runs on difficult pitches stands out, a stock that shines during volatility deserves attention.
2. Volume and Participation: High trading volumes, along with increasing OI, indicate strong market participation. These are your players drawing crowds and backing from the dressing room.
3. Contribution to Portfolio Returns: A flashy 50 might look good on the board, but if it didn’t help win the game, what’s the point? Look at which stocks are actually moving your portfolio NAV.
4. Low Drawdown, High Recovery Rate: The best players bounce back from setbacks quickly. Great stocks show resilience—they recover quickly after dips and keep marching upwards.
5. Sentiment and Technical Backing: A stock trending with support from technical indicators (like volume, OI, RSI) is like a batsman with home crowd advantage. Momentum + sentiment = solid innings.

Post-Match Presentation: Review and Rebalance

Every match ends with a presentation, and every quarter should end with a portfolio review. Who did well? Who needs a break? Are your sectors aligned with the macro pitch? Has your risk appetite changed?

Think like a coach. Be ruthless with underperformers and reward consistent contributors.

Final Over: Closing Thoughts

Cricket isn’t only about talent but also about reading the game, adapting to situations, and making timely decisions. Similarly, investing is a craft that rewards preparation, observation, and action.

Your portfolio already has a playing XI. The question is: Do you know who your Man of the Match is?

With AngelOne’s tools in your hand, you’re not just a spectator. You’re the selector, the captain, and the coach. And when you spot your match-winners early, you give yourself the best chance to win, not just the match, but the whole tournament of wealth creation.

Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. http://bit.ly/usSGoH