A significant majority (57%) of India's investment advisors are concentrated in just five metro cities, leading to concerns about financial inclusion and the spread of financial market products beyond urban centres, according to a Business Standard analysis of Sebi data.
Uncertainty stemming from the US-Iran conflict has significantly impacted India's mutual fund industry, leading to a sharp decline in new fund offers (NFOs) in March, despite numerous regulatory approvals. This geopolitical tension, coupled with existing market strain and distributor hesitation, has dampened investor sentiment and affected overall inflows.
Online mutual fund (MF) investment platforms like Groww, Zerodha Coin and Paytm Money, which allow investments in direct MF schemes for free, will soon be able to charge their customers or the fund houses for executing transactions. "They can charge some money but commission-like structure won't be allowed," Madhavi Puri Buch, chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), said on Tuesday. At present, none of these online investment platforms generate any revenue through the MF sales.
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An investor would pay much less when he invests through a registered investment advisor than a distributor.
Lump sum investments in equity and hybrid schemes of mutual funds (MFs) declined to Rs 17,900 crore in October - the lowest since January 2021. The fall in lump sum investments comes even as flows through systematic investment plans (SIPs) rose to a new all-time high of Rs 13,000 crore in October. The latest lump sum tally is just a third of the peak inflow of Rs 49,700 crore in July 2021.
Exchanges will have to facilitate a more direct interface between clients and the clearing corporation, bypassing intermediaries such as brokers, under this new proposed framework.
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Dwaipayan Bose explains what momentum investing is, how it works, why it generates higher returns and has higher wealth creation potential.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Milind Vadjikar your insurance, stocks, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Start your journey to financial freedom today. Ask your questions and let our experts show you the way to a secure and prosperous future.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Milind Vadjikar your insurance, stocks, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Milind Vadjikar your insurance, stocks, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Milind Vadjikar your insurance, stocks, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Adopting overly aggressive strategies without considering risk could lead to significant losses during the next downturn.
The share of investments held by the top 10 investors across smallcap mutual fund schemes has been on a decline, falling to a 14-month low in March 2025, shows an analysis of data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi). The median smallcap scheme has 2.03 per cent of its investments coming from the top 10 investors, compared to 2.43 per cent a year ago.
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Experts say the trend is worrying as it could take a toll on the pace of equity flows and also hinder the penetration drive of the Rs 24-trillion MF industry.
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More than 50 per cent of SIP accounts come from semi-urban and rural areas.
Monthly systematic investment plan (SIP) flows into India have held steady above Rs 13,000 crore in 2022-23 (FY23) in the face of markets delivering muted returns in 18 months. However, it is not a rose-tinted view when it comes to viewing new SIP registrations and the cessation of existing ones. The ratio of SIPs stopped as a percentage of fresh SIPs registered (called SIP stoppage or closure ratio in industry parlance) stood at 56 per cent in the first 11 months of FY23, compared with 41 per cent during the same period of 2021-22 (FY22).
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Sources said many individual investors were interested in applying for the NFO, due to additional benefits being offered such as upfront discounts and loyalty bonuses.
Mutual funds aspirants have the option of snapping up smaller AMCs or applying for a new licence.
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Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Milind Vadjikar your insurance, stocks, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
Various online platforms let you invest in direct mutual funds.
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Ask rediffGURU Ulhas Joshi your mutual fund queries.
'If you are investing in a Ulip for returns, go for a type I Ulip.' 'If you are investing for insurance cover as well, type II is better.'
Ask rediffGURU and PF expert Milind Vadjikar your insurance, stocks, mutual fund and personal finance-related questions.
In front-running case, some fund houses have settled with Sebi and paid the amount lost to trustees.
Over the past 25 years the MF industry has come a long way. Geographic reach has increased, many more customers have been added, more channels have been opened up and the product basket is full.
While large-cap funds, in three months, yielded gains of 26.3%, small-cap funds are up 37.9%, and mid-cap funds fetched returns of 29.9%.
The average difference in expense ratios between a regular and direct plan is 100 to 120 basis points. For those who need hand holding, spend the 100 to 120 basis points and get advice on the right schemes that suit you. Don't land up buying a scheme with low expense, but lower returns.
rediffGURU Ulhas Joshi recommends five factors you need to look at to evaluate the performance of two schemes.
Many investors are lured with dividends that mutual funds pay, without realising that they are getting their own money back.
The Sebi chief said that although the idea of an SRO has been challenged in court, he is hopeful of its implementation.
