The recent spike in SIP stoppages, with a discontinuation ratio of 109 per cent in January 2025, has raised concerns among mutual fund investors.

The equity markets have become a source of anxiety for many investors, as volatility continues to test their resolve. For those who started systematic investment plans (SIPs) in equity funds in 2024, it’s not uncommon to see portfolios in the red or delivering low single-digit returns. And if you waited until June for post-election clarity before investing, chances are your portfolio is struggling even more. 

As Indian;economy continues to grow, albeit at a slower pace, fostering an environment that encourages long-term savings and investments is crucial.

As we step into 2025, it is time to reflect on a remarkable year for India’s mutual fund industry.

As an investor, have you ever chosen a fund simply because your friend did, or held on to a lossmaking scheme hoping it would bounce back? If yes, welcome to the club—biases often accompany us on our investment journey, sometimes silently sabotaging our financial goals.

Diversification is often seen as the holy grail of investing—a strategy that spreads risk across geographies, sectors, and asset classes.

Recent market volatility has led some domestic mutual fund investors to pause or stop their SIPs (systematic investment plans), with the latest data showing a slowdown in new SIP account openings and a SIP stoppage ratio above 60 per cent for the second consecutive month.

The Indian equity market has faced its share of turbulence in recent times, with external pressures and global uncertainties leading to increased volatility.

There’s a lot of buzz around the "Mutual Fund Sahi Hai" campaign, but amidst the noise,

The recent steps taken by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to introduce new investment options for high-net-worth investors and relax regulations on passive mutual funds are poised to reshape the mutual fund industry in India. These changes could benefit retail investors, offering more choices and lower costs in the long run. 

The Indian equity market witnessed an unprecedented cash holding of ₹1.86 lakh crore at the end of August 2024, which accounts for around 5.2 per cent of the industry's equity AUM. This significant cash reserve raises critical questions about the market's direction and the implications for unit holders in these funds.

Its a well-known fact, supported by numerous studies, that many large-cap funds in India struggle to outperform their benchmarks.

Indian equity markets have shown remarkable resilience amidst recent challenges.

You may have noticed a significant dip in your equity mutual fund (MF) portfolio over the past week.

The latest Union Budget has significantly moved toward simplifying tax structures across various asset classes, offering greater clarity for investors and aiding in better post-tax return analysis for informed decision-making.

Equity indices in India have been reaching new all-time highs regularly over the past few weeks.

India mutual fund industry has been rocked once again by allegations of front-running, this time involving the high-flying Quant Mutual Fund.

Gone are the days when retail investors were stereotyped as reactive players entering at the peak of the market and fleeing at the first sign of trouble.

Navigating the Roller-Coaster of Small-Cap Funds

In the last few years, we saw equity mutual funds generating phenomenal returns.

In recent months, the stock market has witnessed several companies, spanning both small and large-cap sectors, undergoing regulatory scrutiny.

The Indian mutual fund industry is captivating retail investors like never before. In the last fiscal year alone, there has been an extraordinary surge in Assets Under Management (AUM), witnessing an impressive increase of Rs 14 lakh crore, pushing the total AUM to a record-breaking Rs 53.40 lakh crore at the end of March 2024.

The recent fluctuations in the market, spurred in part by SEBI's remarks on the broader market's exuberance and subsequent stress test of mid-cap and small-cap funds,

The upcoming mutual fund inflow numbers for March 2024, expected in the second week of April, might show an interesting picture. This is because a few weeks ago, Madhabi Puri Buch, the chairperson of Sebi, expressed concerns about the high valuations of small and mid-cap stocks that many retail investors like.

In the past week, mid-cap and small-cap dedicated funds have experienced underperformance compared to large-cap funds, marking a notable shift after a prolonged period. In the last one-year, broader indices-based funds have hugely outperformed large-cap funds.

As we celebrate our 38th anniversary, we not only reflect on our journey but also marvel at the remarkable evolution of the Indian mutual fund industry that has unfolded alongside us.

In the 1980s, the introduction of the 401(k) plan in the US marked a significant milestone for the equity market, propelling it to new heights throughout the decade and into the 1990s.

The leading equity indices underwent a notable downturn last week, largely due to a substantial 15 per cent decline in HDFC Bank following its earnings announcement

While last year's stellar performance in equity mutual funds, particularly mid and small-cap funds, may spark excitement, it's crucial to approach 2024 with a proactive and balanced mindset. The start of a new year isn't just about resolutions; it's an opportunity to rebalance your mutual fund portfolio for a better investment experience.

As we close the year 2023, it's evident that the industry is poised for a monumental milestone. The imminent crossing of the ₹50 lakh crore mark in Asset Under Management (AUM) in 2023 signals a remarkable trajectory, notably highlighting the industry's exponential growth.

After a busy November, the month of December is proving quite interesting for equity investors.

The month of November was abuzz with several companies going public via initial public offering (IPO). But what caught our attention in this humming was the interest shown by fund houses to grab a pie in these newly listed companies. 

In September 2015, the US Environmental Protection Agency exposed Volkswagen for installing software in their diesel-powered cars, enabling them to deceive EPA emissions tests.

Not too long ago, the Indian stock markets danced to the tunes orchestrated by foreign institutional investors, whose investment decisions were swayed by global factors, contributing to heightened volatility in the Indian stock markets

As the excitement of the ICC Cricket World Cup sweeps through the country, numerous cricket teams are coming to recognize the importance of a well-rounded player in their squad.

Amidst the festive celebrations, the Indian stock market experienced some turbulence with a sudden dip in broader market indices.

Just as ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 and Aditya-L1 missions have ignited India's pride in the realm of space exploration, our equity indices are also poised to reach new heights.

Facing potential volatility due to various impending economic factors, the Indian equity market stands poised for stability.

Investing in mutual funds is a great way to diversify your portfolio and grow wealth over time.

After a turbulent beginning to the year, the Indian equity market has experienced a remarkable surge in the past three months, propelling equity indices like the S & P BSE Sensex and the Nifty 50 index to new all-time highs.

Passive investing has experienced significant growth in India over the past few years with investors placing faith on instruments such as index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

Over the past three months, mid-cap and small-cap equity funds have witnessed a remarkable growth of nearly 15 per cent, surpassing the single-digit gains of large-cap funds.

Recently, market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) proposed a number of changes to the way mutual funds charge expenses to investors.

As India enters FY24 amidst global uncertainties such as banking crises, higher interest rates, and potential recessions, it stands out as better positioned than its emerging market peers.

From among the different aspects of financial planning such as investment planning, risk management and debt management, retirement planning is the most important.

Of all the traits required to be a successful investor, the most sought after is patience. Time is your most valuable asset in investing.

The mutual fund industry in India is witnessing a surge in popularity, as investors continue to show their faith in SIP investments.

The period of FY23 will be remembered for rising inflation, interest rates, collapsing banks and geopolitical tensions.

The mutual fund industry is growing in India and is supporting market inflows like never before.

A lot is happening in the mutual fund space in India. For instance, Bajaj FinServ has got an approval from SEBI to launch its mutual fund business. I am sure the mutual fund industry can only grow with a new entrant.

Amidst all the negatives facing the global economy and the financial markets, the Indian mutual fund industry looks like an ‘oasis’ if we go by the SIP money flow and the new investors added in the month of January this year.

The current budget was interesting for mutual fund investors.

The budget session is around the corner and everybody will be focusing on the announcements and their impact on our pockets.

The year 2022 ended on a positive note for equity investors while the key benchmark indices closed in the green for seven years in a row. 

As we come to the end of CY 2022, it is time to take stock of MF performance across categories.

Successful MF investing is all about goal-based investing and asset allocation.

Mutual fund investors could not have asked for a better 2022, after a solid performance in 2021 by most of the fund managers, especially those managing equity

Given the expected peaking of inflation and rebound in equity markets, the buoyant mood amongst equity investors is only logical.

When it comes to the stock market, equity mutual funds have turned quite optimistic as they were net buyers in the month of October 2022.

This Diwali is special in many ways because we have slight indications that the war is nearing its end, inflation is peaking and the market is in the process of bottoming out.

No one knows the merits of long-term investing better than mutual fund investors who have remained invested in spite of the ups and downs in the market over the last decade or so.

Investing is all about diversification, and the key objective of diversification across asset classes is to minimize risk while optimizing the returns.

When it comes to mutual fund investing there are several parameters we focus on to identify winners.

The equity market, buoyed by the surge in FII flows, has been able to climb the wall of worry quite easily.

Financial planning is one of the important financial activities that most individual investors in India give a miss.

With equity markets recovering in July, MF investors with a focus on equity as an asset class are celebrating.

Wealth creation is not an easy process. It takes immense intelligence, patience, and discipline and market insight to create wealth.

Editor's views on the capital markets, stock reviews and buzz on Dalal Street

Investing in equity mutual funds is always considered risky.

The mutual fund industry in India is once again in the limelight as the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has issued a fresh circular with the aim of developing passive funds. In a fresh initiative,

Time to Increase your SIP Amount

Sell in May and go away seems to be the most appropriate decision for those investors who cannot handle increased volatility in the equity markets.

Is Active Portfolio Management Worth the Rewards?

Yet another magnum opus from S S Rajamouli, 'RRR' is racing toward the global collection of Rs 1,000 crore. The film is based on a fictional story, yet the title of the film perfectly summarises the investment framework for any investor. Your portfolio is made up of different investment instruments.

Objects in the mirror are closer than they appear’ is a safety warning that you normally see printed on the passenger side of mirrors.

Back in 1980s the Sensex generated returned 21.6 per cent every year. This is despite the average inflation during that period being at 8.97 per cent.

The ‘butterfly effect’, a concept that is mostly used in metrology, can be extended to personal finance too. The gist of the butterfly effect is that small changes over time can really add up and it is impossible to predict their impact over time.

After continuously being on the rise for more than 18 months with no major correction, the Indian equity market saw the first signs of cracking up in the month of October 2021.

The pandemic has made us all cautious and underscored the relevance of mitigating risk, especially when it comes to our health and wellbeing. Inarguably, one of the best ways to ensure optimal health is through a balanced lifestyle.

In a span of three months the equity market has fallen by more than 5 per cent from its peak.

Silver, the lustrous white metal and close cousin of gold, has suddenly come into the limelight over the past couple of weeks.

There are hardly any investment instruments other than ELSS that give you the benefit of investment in equity as well as tax-savings.

On June 8, 2021, one of the smallest countries in Central America, El Salvador, took a big step of making the Bitcoin, a crypto currency, legal tender in the country – the first country to do so globally.

In the world of investing, it becomes very difficult to avoid the recency bias. Investors, while making their financial plan, extrapolate the recent returns. The recency bias is more prominent among millennials or those who have started investing recently.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Retail Direct Scheme (RDS).

In many parts of India, and especially among India’s business community, Diwali symbolises the start of a new financial year as well.

The ongoing pandemic has had a devastating impact on the personal finances of many individuals.

There are very few things in our life that are truly free.

The BSE Sensex is now at a striking distance of 60,000. Just a few quarters back it was trading near 25,000 and it took less than 18 months for the Sensex to gain almost 34,000.

The landscape of the mutual fund industry in India is going to see a significant change in the next few years. The asset under management (AUM) of passively managed funds is going to rise exponentially.

The mutual fund segment in India has come a long way since its inception in 1963 with the establishment of Unit Trust of India (UTI).

The love for gold among Indians is well-known.

A food technology delivery platform company recently got listed on the Indian bourses at a mind-boggling valuation.

There seems to be a remarkable change in the investment behaviour of retail investors.

Most of us who commute daily for work or for other purposes must have noticed how the fuel prices have gone up substantially and that now you shell out more for commuting the same distance.

There are very few cardinal principles in personal finance and investment.

Most of the mutual fund investors that I do know are more focussed on selecting the right MF schemes.

I have been interacting with lot of investors and many of them are worried that the market will once again fall, the way it fell last year when the pandemic was just sweeping across the world.

Don't tell me what you think: just tell me what's in your portfolio.