New Delhi, Oct. 22 -- Investing through a systematic investment plan (SIP) for 10 years is often considered a way to navigate stock market volatility and build long-term wealth. But does investing consistently for a decade guarantee positive returns? Historical data shows that even a 10-year SIP could have ended with a loss, particularly in small-cap stocks.

According to a research by Edelweiss Mutual Fund, the worst 10-year rolling SIP return for the Nifty Smallcap 250 Total Returns Index (TRI) was -0.13%. In comparison, the Nifty Midcap 150 TRI delivered a minimum annualised return of 6.37%, while the Nifty 100 TRI, representing large-cap stocks, generated at least 5.07%.

The findings highlight the differences in returns across market...