The Economic Times

Several mutual fund new fund offers, including FoFs, index funds, ETFs, sectoral and low duration schemes, are currently open for subscription. Asset managers are expanding product offerings across themes such as metals, defence, consumption, healthcare and services to attract investors.

Bandhan Corporate Bond Fund turned Rs 10,000 investment to Rs 19,745 as of end-December 2025, nearly doubling investor capital over the decade and crossed monthly AUM of Rs 15,000 crore in the same period.

Groww Mutual Fund today announced the launch of two new passive investment schemes the Groww BSE Hospitals ETF and the Groww BSE Hospitals ETF FOF offering investors exposure to Indias hospital sector through the BSE Hospitals Index.

Through the ONDC Network, participating buyer apps can offer mutual fund products directly to investors via their existing platforms. The framework aims to streamline product discovery and access, allowing investors to engage with mutual fund offerings through applications they already usewithout the need to download or manage multiple apps.

Old Bridge Mutual Fund has launched the Old Bridge Flexi Cap Fund, an open-ended equity scheme investing across large, mid and small caps. Managed by Kenneth Andrade, the fund follows a bottom-up strategy and dynamically allocates assets across market segments.

ICICI Prudential Business Cycle Fund has completed five years since launch, turning a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into about Rs 9.74 lakh as of January 31, 2026, delivering an 18.47% return over the period. In comparison, the schemes benchmark generated a return of 13.11%, according to the fund house.

HDFC Mutual Fund has launched the HDFC Nifty India Consumption Index Fund, offering exposure to companies benefiting from Indias long-term consumption growth. The fund tracks the Nifty India Consumption Index, focusing on domestically driven sectors, and carries thematic concentration risks.

The mutual fund industrys Assets Under Management (AUM) stood at Rs 80.23 lakh crore as of December 2025, reflecting steady momentum in investor participation and increased preference for market-linked investment avenues.

Passive funds recorded their highest ever monthly inflows of Rs 39,955 crore in January, pushing AUM to a record Rs 15.41 lakh crore, led by gold ETF inflows of Rs 24,040 crore. Equity funds extended their inflow streak, while debt funds saw strong overnight fund allocations amid volatility.

The mutual fund SIP stoppage ratio declined to 74.83% in January, compared with 85.30% in December and 109.15% in January 2025, indicating that more SIPs were registered than those discontinued or whose tenures ended. The monthly SIP contribution remained steady at Rs 30,002 crore in January.

Helios Flexi Cap Fund exited Ola Electric, LG Electronics, and other companies in January. The fund also increased its stake in 20 stocks, including Kotak Mahindra Bank and Adani Ports. Exposure in 44 stocks remained unchanged. The fund's AUM stood at Rs 5,939.87 crore. Performance shows a gain in the last year.

Gold and silver ETFs rose, supported by expectations of Fed rate cuts after weak US data signalled slowing consumer spending. Tata Gold ETF led the gains, while several other gold ETFs advanced up to 23%.

Flexi cap mutual funds offer the fund managers the freedom to invest across market capitalisations and sectors/themes. It means the fund managers can invest anywhere based on his outlook on the market.

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) reduced their holdings in 39 Nifty50 stocks during the December quarter, with significant cuts seen in major companies like Bajaj Auto, Mahindra & Mahindra, and HDFC Bank. This trend reflects a broader pattern of FIIs paring exposure in India's equity market, despite domestic institutional investors' growing influence

Largecap mutual funds saw a 28% jump in inflows in January even as Midcap and Smallcap inflows declined sharply, signalling a tactical shift towards safety amid market correction. Experts say the move reflects short-term risk management rather than a structural change, and advise investors to focus on disciplined asset allocation and rebalancing.

Wealth managers advise new mutual fund investors to build portfolios gradually, aligning choices with goals and risk appetite. A paced approach, starting with diversified equity, index, or multi-asset funds, is recommended. Aggressive investors can later explore mid- and small-cap funds, while conservative ones may stick to large-cap and hybrid options.

Aditya Birla Group flagship holding firm Grasim Industries Ltd on Tuesday reported a 28.76 per cent increase in its consolidated net profit to Rs 2,232.95 crore for the December quarter of FY'26, led by a good performance across businesses.

The Department of Posts (DoP) and the National Stock Exchange of India on Tuesday signed a pact to expand mutual fund access through the NSE MF Invest platform.

An HDFC Balanced Advantage Fund SIP of Rs 10,000 grew to Rs 15.89 crore since inception, delivering 18.40% XIRR. Completing 32 years, the funds dynamic allocation, resilience across cycles and Rs 1.06 lakh crore AUM underscore disciplined long-term investing principles.

Silver ETFs saw massive January inflows as investors chased precious metals despite sharp volatility. Assets surged, returns topped 50%, and silver outperformed gold before a late-month crash underscored risks amid global uncertainty and profit-booking and heavy ETF participation nationwide grew.

Baroda BNP Paribas ELSS Tax Saver Fund has delivered impressive returns, turning a monthly SIP of 10,000 into approximately 1.03 crore since inception. Managed with a focus on long-term value and avoiding volatile sectors, the fund offers tax benefits and disciplined equity exposure, making it a compelling choice for wealth creation.

As investors struggle to choose the right mutual funds amid volatile markets, Edelweiss Mutual Fund CEO Radhika Gupta outlines five essential checkpoints to consider before investing. From building basic financial knowledge to seeking professional advice, she urges investors to focus on clarity, patience and long-term discipline rather than quick fixes.

Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund made significant portfolio adjustments in January 2026. The fund boosted its holdings in ITC and Tata Consultancy Services. It also added Kotak Mahindra Bank shares. Reductions were seen in Coal India and Multi Commodity Exchange of India. Bharti Airtel was completely exited. Two new stocks, CIE Automotive India and CMS Info System, were introduced.

Mutual fund SIP inflows stayed above Rs 31,000 crore in January 2026. Flexicap funds were the top investor choice. Equity fund inflows saw a dip. Debt funds returned to positive inflows after two months of outflows. Hybrid funds also experienced a substantial month-on-month increase in inflows, nearly doubling year-on-year.

Mutual fund inflows for January 2026 show a mixed trend. Equity funds experienced a dip in investments. However, debt funds reversed outflows, attracting substantial investments. Hybrid funds also witnessed a significant rise in investor interest. Flexicap funds remained popular within equity categories. Overnight funds led debt fund inflows, while multi-asset allocation funds topped hybrid fund investments.

BSE shares surged to an all-time high, fueled by broker upgrades and strong derivatives trading. While UBS and Nuvama are bullish on continued market share gains and revenue growth, Jefferies maintains a 'Hold' rating, citing reliance on weekly options and regulatory risks. Management remains optimistic about STT impact and future growth drivers.

Smallcap stocks are showing signs of a comeback after a dull 2025, driven by attractive valuations and improving earnings. The India-US trade deal has boosted sentiment, though tariff threats from Donald Trump remain a concern. Despite negative market breadth, stock-specific buying is evident, with some smallcaps already delivering double-digit returns.

Sanae Takaichi's decisive election victory has propelled Japanese markets to record highs on stimulus expectations, with the Nikkei 225 surging. While this boosts global risk sentiment, rising bond yields and concerns over Japan's debt burden are creating yen volatility and long-term fiscal questions.

Eleven equity mutual funds delivered over 20% CAGR across three, five, and seven year periods. Mid-cap funds dominated this list. Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund and HDFC Mid Cap Fund showed strong performance. ICICI Prudential Value Fund and Invesco India funds also featured prominently.

Tax saving mutual funds or ELSSs invest in stocks. Therefore, they have a very high risk. You should be aware of this aspect, especially if you are a first-time investor in equity mutual funds.

Budget 2026-27 has restricted tax-free redemption of Sovereign Gold Bonds to primary issue investors holding till maturity. Secondary market buyers will now face capital gains tax, aligning SGB taxation closer to Gold ETFs. With no fresh issuances, investors may reassess gold allocation strategies, factoring in liquidity, taxation and flexibility.

These institutions accumulated significant stakes in consumer internet firms Eternal, Swiggy, Nykaa and PB Fintech this past year, despite mixed share performance. They also bought into companies such as Lenskart, Groww, Meesho and PhysicsWallah that entered the public market in 2025.

Zydus Lifesciences posted strong Q3 results with revenue up 30% to Rs 6,864.5 crore, driven by consumer wellness and overseas markets. Profit growth was muted by one-time costs, while EBITDA rose 31%, reflecting scalable operations and demand across geographies.

LIC Mutual Fund has inaugurated Indias first women-centric mutual fund branch in Delhi, aimed at boosting womens investment participation through personalised guidance, digital facilitation, financial education and a supportive ecosystem focused on long-term wealth creation and financial inclusion.

Tata AIA Life Insurance has launched two value-focused index-linked funds tracking the BSE Enhanced Value Index, offering diversified equity exposure across market caps, long-term wealth creation, retirement planning, and life insurance protection through unit-linked solutions for disciplined Indian investors nationwide.

Indian towel and bedsheet maker Trident reported a 44% profit fall in the third quarter due to a U.S. tariff-induced export slowdown. Revenue dropped 6%, with bedsheet sales declining by a third. The company is establishing a domestic subsidiary to boost overseas sales, particularly in the United States, following recent trade deal developments.

This can indicate financial stress or the need for liquidity, as it suggests the promoters are using their shares to secure funding.

Edelweiss Mutual Fund has launched the Edelweiss Greater China Equity Fund through GIFT City, allowing investors to invest online with a minimum investment of $5,000. The new offering feeds into the existing Edelweiss Greater China Fund, providing exposure to Chinesechina equities.

Bandhan Multi Asset Allocation Fund crosses Rs 2,700 crore AUM in two years, delivering strong returns. The schemes multi-asset strategy spans equities, gold, silver, arbitrage, and fixed income, offering investors diversified exposure, stable wealth creation, and tax-efficient equity returns. SIPs start at Rs 500, making it accessible for long-term investing.

Mirae Asset launches an open-ended fund of fund investing in the Nifty Metal ETF, offering passive exposure to Indias metals and mining sector, tracking Nifty Metal TRI, with defined allocations, managers, timelines, and a 5,000 minimum investment during initial offer.

Angel One Asset Mutual Fund has launched the Angel One Silver ETF and Silver ETF FoF, with NFOs open for subscription until February 19 and 23, respectively. Both schemes provide exposure to silver by tracking domestic prices. The ETF can be invested in via NSE, while the FoF allows participation without a demat account, offering investors a simple and transparent way to invest.

Sebis revised Base Expense Ratio and Total Expense Ratio framework clarifies mutual fund costs for retail SIP investors. While there is no immediate impact on deductions, the transparent separation of fund management, taxes, and brokerage may modestly lower expenses over time and slightly improve net returns, visible in scheme fact sheets and AMCs websites.

National Pension System equity funds have provided strong returns over the last five years, with Kotak, ICICI Prudential, UTI, and LIC Pension Funds yielding over 14%. Other funds including HDFC, ABSL, and SBI delivered between 12% and 14%.

Bajaj Finserv Mutual Fund has launched the Bajaj Finserv Low Duration Fund, an open-ended debt scheme targeting investors seeking short-term income with liquidity. The NFO, open until February 16, will maintain a Macaulay duration of six to 12 months. The fund aims to offer better accrual potential than traditional savings options without equity market risk.