New Delhi, June 16 -- Investors are often advised to ignore short-term volatility and stay invested for the long term. While that is generally sound advice, it should not be mistaken for a reason to hold on to a struggling mutual fund indefinitely.

The goal is not to chase the best-performing fund every year, but to ensure that a scheme continues to deliver on the promise for which it was originally selected. When that starts to change, investors may need to take a closer look.

Let's discuss 5 signs that can help evaluate if a fund is underperforming.

A single year of underperformance is rarely enough reason to exit a mutual fund. Even two years may not tell the full story, particularly if market leadership is concentrated in a few sto...