Direct mutual funds investors gains with SEBIs decision on TER?

SEBI circular SEBI/HO/IMD/DF2/CIR/P/2018/137 dated October 22, 2018 provided certain guidelines with respect to the TER and performance disclosure for mutual funds. In order to bring transparency in expenses, reduce churning of portfolio and mis-selling of mutual fund products SEBI has asked the AMCs (Asset Management Companies) to pay all scheme-related expenses, including commissions paid to the distributors (by whatever name it may be called and in whatever manner it is being paid), within the regulatory limits shall necessarily be paid from the schemes only and not from the books of AMCs, its associates, sponsor, trustee or any other entity through any route.

SEBI also asked the AMCs to adopt full trail model of commissions in all schemes, without direct or indirect payment of any upfront commission or upfronting of any trail commission in cash or kind, sponsorships or any other route. Upfronting of trail commission is only allowed in case of inflows through SIPs (Systematic Investment Plans).

This means that now the only key difference between the direct plans and regular plans would be the commissions paid to the MFDs (Mutual Fund Distributors). All the fees and expenses that are charged under various heads, including the investment and advisory fee in a direct plan (in percentage terms) shall not exceed the fee and expenses charged under such heads in a regular plan.

Schemes in direct plans have seen a sharp reduction in the expense ratio. As of now Edelweiss Mutual Fund and Mirae Asset Management have announced their revised expense ratio and soon the other fund houses are expected to announce their revised expense ratio.