The Economic Times

Unique stocks in mutual funds are those held by only one fund house. In March, around 234 such stocks were identified, with select picks like Marathon Nextgen Realty, Premier Explosives, and others reflecting concentrated conviction by funds such as Quant, HDFC, and Bandhan.

Equity mutual funds posted strong weekly gains of up to 13%, with 608 out of 615 schemes ending in positive territory. International, thematic, and sectoral funds led performance, reflecting broad-based market recovery and strong investor participation across diversified equity strategies.

Equity mutual funds witnessed sharp AUM declines in March amid market volatility, with 691 of 728 funds affected. Major schemes from HDFC Mutual Fund, SBI Mutual Fund, and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund saw heavy outflows, reflecting investor caution and market-driven erosion.

Abakkus Flexi Cap Fund, backed by Sunil Singhania, boosted its holdings in HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries in March. The fund also increased its stake in 28 other stocks, notably Tata Steel and Bank of Baroda. A new investment was made in Mahindra & Mahindra, while Bharat Petroleum Corporation was exited.

Debt mutual funds saw a massive Rs 3 lakh crore outflow in March. This sharp reversal followed inflows in February. Liquid funds and overnight funds faced the biggest redemptions. Experts attribute this to quarter-end institutional adjustments and profit booking. Assets under management for debt funds also declined significantly. This trend is seen as a temporary liquidity adjustment.

Mutual fund NFOs saw strong traction in March, with 24 launches collectively raising 3,985 crore, led by HDFC MFs index fund contributing the largest share.

In March, equity mutual fund inflows soared to their highest level in eight months, showcasing a resilient commitment from domestic investors even amid market turbulence. Their increased investments played a crucial role in balancing out the recent foreign fund exits. Moreover, contributions via Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) surged to unprecedented figures.

Mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio surged to 100% in March as discontinued SIPs outpaced new registrations, even though monthly SIP contributions hit a record Rs 32,087 crore. Overall investor participation remained strong, with equity inflows extending their multi-year positive streak and SIP accounts nearing 9.72 crore, reflecting sustained long-term investment appetite.

Gold ETF inflows fell 57% to Rs 2,265 crore in March, while silver ETFs posted outflows for the second consecutive month, AMFI data showed. Commodity ETFs had a rough month, with all 43 ending in the red and silver-heavy schemes leading declines amid a global selloff in precious and industrial metals.

Mutual fund SIP inflows reached a record Rs 32,087 crore in March. Equity fund inflows surged by 56%. Flexi cap funds led the equity category. Conversely, debt mutual funds experienced a significant outflow of Rs 2.94 lakh crore. Liquid funds saw the largest redemptions. This marks a notable shift in investor sentiment.

Indian equity mutual funds saw a significant surge in March, with inflows climbing 56% to Rs 40,450 crore, driven by strong performance in flexicap, smallcap, and midcap categories. Conversely, debt funds experienced a substantial outflow of Rs 2.94 lakh crore, while hybrid funds also saw a net outflow.

Quant Small Cap Fund saw focused buying in financials and smallcaps in March, adding Safari Industries and avoiding any portfolio exits.

Samir Arora-backed Helios Flexi Cap Fund significantly increased its stake in HDFC Bank, adding nearly 13 lakh shares amidst a price decline. The fund also made a complete exit from Indian Oil Corporation and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation. Additionally, it boosted holdings in eight other stocks and introduced new ones like BSE and Solar Industries India.

Taxpayers looking to save income tax under Section 80C can consider Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS). These tax-saving mutual funds offer potential for higher returns over the long term and have the shortest lock-in period of three years among 80C investments. However, ELSSs carry higher risk as they invest in stocks and do not guarantee returns.

Rising bond yields, influenced by elevated oil prices and West Asia tensions, present investment opportunities in debt schemes. Money managers suggest short-term debt funds and long-term government securities are best positioned to benefit. The Reserve Bank of India's stance on interest rates and inflation is expected to keep yields elevated, favoring shorter-maturity investments.

Kotak Mutual Fund on Thursday announced the launch of the Kotak Multi Asset Active FOF, an open-ended fund of fund scheme investing in units of equity-oriented schemes, debt-oriented schemes and commodity-based schemes.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund increased stakes in Tata Consultancy Services, ITC and 14 other stocks in March, while trimming only Balkrishna Industries. The fund raised holdings in HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Coal India and others, maintaining a diversified portfolio across 21 sectors.

Multicap funds are gaining traction post market correction as a diversified investment route. However, their mandated exposure to large, mid, and smallcap stocks makes them vulnerable to volatility, especially during market downturns. These funds are best for investors comfortable with higher risk across market cycles.

Silver and gold ETFs saw significant drops on Thursday, shedding up to 4%, as MCX bullion prices followed global weakness. The US Federal Reserve's minutes signaled further rate hikes amid inflation concerns, while geopolitical risks from the Iran conflict also weighed on markets. Investors remain cautious, awaiting clarity on the US-Iran ceasefire.

Gold ETFs have seen declines of up to 8% despite Middle East tensions, leaving investors uncertain. Experts advise against panic selling, recommending asset allocation and staggered buying for those at higher entry points. The recent ceasefire has caused a temporary rally, but long-term gold performance hinges on inflation and central bank policies.

Large & mid cap mutual funds invest a minimum of 35% in both large and mid-cap stocks, offering a blend of stability and risk. Fund managers have flexibility with the remaining corpus, making these schemes suitable for aggressive investors with a long-term horizon willing to take on extra risk.

Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) offer a passive investment approach, mirroring index performance and allowing investors to align choices with their time horizon and financial goals. A structured strategy, including regular investments via SIPs, can foster discipline and help achieve objectives. Understanding the tracked index is crucial for informed ETF selection.

PPFAS Asset Management has received approval from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) today to become a sponsor for a pension fund under the National Pension System (NPS).

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Reserve Bank of India, in its bi-monthly review on Wednesday, decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and maintained its neutral stance.

Groww Mutual Fund has announced the launch of the Groww Arbitrage Fund, an open-ended scheme investing in arbitrage opportunities. The scheme is designed to capture pricing differences between the cash and derivatives markets, with the aim of generating relatively stable returns with limited directional equity risk.

Sunil Singhania backed Abakkus Mutual Fund has unveiled the maiden portfolio of its smallcap fund - Abakkus Small Cap Fund, following an in-house investment framework viz. MEETS, to evaluate key drivers of long-term value creation. This marks the funds first update since its NFO.

The RBI's decision to maintain the repo rate at 5.25% presents a complex landscape for investors. Experts advise debt fund investors to prioritize short-to-medium duration funds and high-quality corporate bonds to manage risks. Equity investors are encouraged to consider largecap and flexicap strategies amidst global uncertainties and inflation concerns.

A 52-year-old investor aiming for a Rs 2 crore retirement corpus by age 60 faces a potential shortfall with his current Rs 30 lakh portfolio and Rs 40,000 monthly SIP. Experts advise simplifying the diversified portfolio, increasing SIPs by 8-10% annually, and gradually shifting towards debt for capital protection.

Despite a challenging 2025 with negative returns, small cap mutual funds saw renewed investor interest in February 2026 with significant inflows. While valuations are considered rich and market volatility persists, advisors suggest staggered investments in these high-risk, high-reward schemes for long-term wealth creation.

Silver and gold ETFs surged up to 6% on Wednesday, mirroring gains in global bullion markets. This rally followed U.S. President Trump's agreement to a two-week ceasefire with Iran, easing energy-driven inflation concerns. Experts suggest current levels offer an attractive consolidation zone for long-term investors.

Multicap funds are gaining traction as a comprehensive investment option, offering exposure to large, mid, and small-cap stocks. However, regulatory mandates requiring significant allocation to smaller stocks make them more susceptible to market volatility and deeper drawdowns during corrections, unlike more flexible categories.

Tata Mutual Fund has reopened its small-cap fund to lumpsum investments. This move follows a market correction that has presented better entry points. The fund manager sees a favourable risk-reward for investors with a 3-5 year horizon. Other small-cap funds still have restrictions. The small-cap category manages significant assets.

Tata Mutual Fund has announced the resumption of all fresh inflows through lumpsum and switch-in applications, in Tata Small Cap Fund effective from April 06, 2026.

Five mid-cap mutual funds delivered over 20% returns in three years, led by WhiteOak Capital. Meanwhile, laggard funds posted modest gains, highlighting performance divergence within the mid-cap mutual fund category.

Quant Mutual Fund launches dynamic multi-asset long-short fund, investing across equity, debt, derivatives, commodities and InVITs. The strategy aims to optimise returns, manage risk, and suit long-term investors.

This guide helps you calculate the monthly SIP needed to reach a Rs 1 crore goal using simple Excel functions or a DIY paper formula. Adjust assumptions, returns, and timelines to plan your investments with confidence and clarity.

A Gujarat-based investor, new to equity mutual funds after years in fixed deposits, faces initial losses but shows courage to invest further. Experts advise focusing on asset allocation across market caps rather than changing existing sound funds. Additional investments should be channeled into current flexi-cap and multi-cap schemes, with lumpsum considered if comfortable with volatility.

Quant Multi Asset Allocation Fund has achieved top returns across 3, 5, 7, and 10-year periods among its peers. Its dynamic asset allocation strategy, particularly overweight positions in financials and timely tactical shifts, has driven this consistent outperformance, even outshining the category average.

Following a market sell-off, fund managers indicate that share valuations are no longer stretched, though aggressive bets are still discouraged. While large-cap stocks have reached comfortable levels, skepticism remains for mid and small-cap segments. Investors are advised to stay invested and stagger entries through systematic or phased allocations.

DSP Asset Managers has announced the appointment of Anish Tawakley as Chief Investment Officer (CIO), where he will oversee both equity and fixed income investments, strengthening the firms overall investment leadership.

Top mutual funds for three-year lumpsum investments delivered strong returns, led by gold funds with over 32% CAGR. Rs 1 lakh investments more than doubled, highlighting robust performance across categories.

Nearly 25 equity mutual funds have offered over 15% CAGR in the last three, five, seven, and 10 years, according to a data analysis by ETMutualFunds. There were around 160 funds that have completed 10 years of existence in the market.

Silver exchange traded funds have seen significant losses, prompting investor concern. A new domestic pricing rule is now in effect. Experts suggest rebalancing portfolios and potentially reducing silver exposure. They recommend shifting towards diversified equity funds for long-term wealth creation. Gold ETFs are considered a more stable alternative for hedging.

Mutual fund advisors are recommending large cap schemes for conservative investors amid market volatility and all-time highs. These funds invest in top 100 companies, offering relative safety and inflation-beating returns. Despite recent struggles to beat benchmarks, large cap funds remain a viable option for long-term goals, with specific schemes highlighted for April 2026.