Can less volatile stocks really ensure good long-term returns?

ET Intelligence Group: A common perception among investors is that a portfolio composed of low volatility stocks results in sub-par performance compared with the benchmark indices. But, the historical trend in returns compiled from the NSE suggests otherwise. The Nifty Low Volatility 30 index — an index of large-cap companies with lower volatility relative to the benchmark index — earned 12.9% return over the past decade compared with 10.1%