The Economic Times

Jio BlackRock is set to significantly expand its mutual fund offerings over the next three years, venturing into more specialized investment funds (SIFs), ETFs, and offshore products via GIFT City. Following the launch of its Prism Hybrid Long-Short fund, the company plans another SIF in the equity long-short category soon. ETFs are also on the horizon, promising wider access to global investment strategies for Indian investors.

Ten equity mutual funds delivered over 25% returns in 2026 so far, led by Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund with 102%, driven by international, emerging markets and technology themes.

Around eight mutual funds and two specialised investment funds (SIFs) are currently open for subscription across categories including hybrid, index, multi-asset, overnight and life cycle funds. Offerings from Zerodha, ICICI Prudential, Invesco, JioBlackRock, JM, Tata, HDFC and Choice are accepting investments before their respective closing dates.

Invesco Mutual Fund has launched Summit SIF, an equity long-short fund offering both long and limited short exposure via derivatives. The NFO closes on July 16 and targets alpha generation through dynamic strategies combining stock selection and tactical shorts, managed by Hiten Jain and benchmarked to the BSE 500 TRI.

Should investors choose SIPs in stocks or mutual funds? According to Hercules Advisors founder Aditya Shah, while direct equities may offer higher returns, they demand constant monitoring and carry greater risks. For senior citizens and passive investors, diversified mutual funds with professional management and appropriate asset allocation can be a safer and more practical route to long-term wealth creation.

ETMutualFunds presents SIP portfolio ideas tailored for conservative, moderate and aggressive investors. The allocations span three investment brackets, starting from Rs 2,000 to above Rs 10,000, combining flexi cap, large cap, hybrid, mid cap and small cap funds. Selection is based on rolling returns, consistency, downside risk, outperformance and fund size.

Active share measures how much a mutual fund's portfolio differs from its benchmark, helping investors assess whether they are paying for genuine active management or closet index investing.

TRUSTMF Small Cap Fund emerged as the best-performing equity mutual fund over the past year, delivering a 22.78% return and outperforming both its benchmark and category average. Experts attribute the performance to strong stock selection but advise investors to focus on long-term asset allocation, disciplined SIPs, and realistic return expectations.

ETMutualFunds decided to put out a list of top 10 mutual fund schemes. We have chosen two schemes from five different equity mutual fund categories - aggressive hybrid, large cap, mid cap, small cap and flexi cap schemes which we believe should be enough for regular mutual fund investors.

Edelweiss Asset Management Company crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in equity AUM, with total assets reaching Rs 1.78 lakh crore. The milestone reflects growing retail participation, strong SIP inflows, consistent fund performance and rising investor confidence in long-term wealth creation.

Over the next 18 months, AlphaGrep Investment Management Pvt plans to unveil about half a dozen mutual funds, Chief Executive Officer Bhautik Ambani told a press conference Tuesday. On July 6, it will launch the first fund, a dynamically managed multi-asset fund investing across equities, fixed income and commodities.

A 45-year-old salaried investor with a Rs 3 lakh monthly income sought expert advice on whether his mutual fund portfolio can support retirement at 60. The expert recommended continuing disciplined SIPs, consolidating 17 mutual fund schemes into seven, maintaining liquidity, and avoiding premature allocation for discretionary goals like buying a luxury car.

AlphaGrep Mutual Fund has launched its inaugural fund, the AlphaGrep Multi Asset Allocation Fund, marking its entry into the Indian retail market. This open-ended fund employs a systematic, quantitative approach to dynamically allocate capital across equities, fixed income, and commodities, aiming for long-term growth with minimal human bias. The NFO opens July 6 and closes July 20, offering institutional-grade strategies to everyday investors.

ETMutualFunds has unveiled recommended mutual fund portfolios for July 2026, catering to conservative, moderate, and aggressive investors. These curated SIP baskets, designed for long-term goals like retirement, are based on a robust methodology evaluating returns, consistency, risk, and outperformance. The selection process for equity, debt, and hybrid funds ensures a data-driven approach to investment choices for a broad audience.

Unsure if your fund manager is truly active? Active share reveals how much a mutual fund's portfolio deviates from its benchmark index. A low active share might mean paying active fees for index-like performance. Understanding this metric helps investors identify genuine active management and avoid 'closet index funds,' potentially leading to better investment decisions.

The new fund offer or NFO of the fund is open for subscription and will close on July 14. The scheme will reopen for continuous sale and repurchase within five business days from the date of allotment.

UTI Mutual Fund has significantly boosted its stake in MCX, acquiring nearly 15 lakh shares for a substantial Rs 425 crore via an open market deal. This move comes as MCX reported a remarkable surge in its March quarter profits, nearly quadrupling to Rs 530 crore and tripling revenue. The commodity exchange, a dominant player with over 98% market share, saw its shares dip slightly following the transaction.

Zerodha co-founder Nithin Kamath said building long-term wealth does not require chasing hot stocks or timing the market. He stressed that investors often overcomplicate investing by trying to predict markets or pick from thousands of options. In a post on X, he said good outcomes come from doing a few boring things well through disciplined, low-touch investing.

Choosing the right mutual funds for a Systematic Withdrawal Plan (SWP) hinges on individual financial goals, investment horizon, and risk tolerance, not a universal list. Experts advise aligning fund choices with withdrawal timelines, suggesting equity/hybrid for long-term wealth building and debt funds for immediate income needs. Understanding tax implications of Systematic Transfer Plans (STPs) is also crucial for a balanced investment strategy.

Around 10 equity mutual funds delivered returns of over 25% in the first half of 2026, with Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund more than doubling investors' money. The top performers were largely international and thematic funds, while technology-focused schemes dominated the list of worst-performing equity mutual funds during the period.

Confused by interest rate shifts? Dynamic bond funds offer a solution, allowing managers to adjust investments based on market outlook. While not foolproof, these funds could shine if the RBI begins rate cuts later this year, potentially rewarding debt mutual fund investors after muted performance. For those investing three to five years without wanting to predict rate movements, dynamic bond funds present an option.

Delays in SWP payouts should be treated as delayed mutual fund redemptions. SEBI requires payouts within three working days, with delayed payments potentially attracting investor interest compensation.

JioBlackRock has launched its Prism Hybrid Long-Short Fund, an innovative interval investment strategy allowing twice-weekly redemptions. This fund aims to generate capital appreciation and income by blending equity, debt, derivatives, and alternative investments. Designed for dynamic markets, it seeks to deliver better risk-adjusted returns with lower volatility, leveraging BlackRock's global expertise and advanced technology. The New Fund Offer is open until July 13.

After earning just 1% returns from mutual fund investments over four years, an investor sought expert advice on whether to alter her portfolio. Harshvardhan Roongta of Roongta Securities said weak returns are a normal part of equity investing, urging investors to stay disciplined, avoid frequent changes, and focus on long-term wealth creation through consistent SIPs.

The National Pension System (NPS) delivered strong returns over the past three years, combining retirement planning with tax benefits. Among fund managers with a three-year track record, Tata Pension Management emerged as the top performer.

Experts are advising mutual fund investors to focus on large-cap, flexi-cap, and multi-asset funds for the latter half of 2026. Following a volatile first half, a cautious yet optimistic approach is recommended, emphasizing diversified equity exposure. While valuations are considered fair, risks like global tensions and oil prices persist. Investors are urged to maintain SIPs and avoid market timing, especially first-time entrants.

Short duration mutual funds offer a balanced investment option for horizons of one to three years, navigating moderate interest rate risks. These schemes invest in a mix of short-term and very short-term instruments like treasury bills and corporate bonds. For June 2026, HDFC Short Term Debt Fund, ICICI Prudential Short Term Fund, and Axis Short Term Fund are highlighted as top performers based on returns, consistency, and risk management.

Most investors struggle as they watch their portfolio shrink while EMI obligations remain fixed. The temptation to stop the SWP or redeem the corpus becomes overwhelming. This introduces discretionary risk into what is assumed to be a systematic plan. Acting on it at the wrong time permanently locks in the loss. An investors life situation also matters.

Six smallcap stocks, including Hindustan Copper and NLC India, may move to midcap in AMFIs H2 CY26 reshuffle, as per Nuvama Institutional Equities. The potential reclassification could influence fund flows, though projected threshold levels show inconsistencies and need confirmation before firm conclusions are drawn.

Risk-adjusted return measures the excess return over the risk-free rate per unit of risk and is measured in terms of standard deviation.

These low-cost liquid and overnight mutual funds combined minimal expense ratios with competitive three-month returns. PGIM India Liquid Fund led the list, followed by UTI, Kotak, HSBC, and Sundaram funds.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) contributions to Indian equity mutual funds hit a multi-year high of 29% in May 2026, signaling robust investor confidence despite market volatility. Equity AUM surged to Rs 36.18 lakh crore, with SIP AUM growing 17% year-on-year. This sustained growth highlights the increasing dominance of mutual funds in the investment landscape.

HDFC Mid Cap Fund has crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore AUM milestone, cementing its position among the country's largest mid-cap schemes. Since its launch in 2007, the fund has delivered a CAGR of 17.13%, outperforming its benchmark while maintaining a disciplined, research-driven approach across market cycles.

Experts advise against frequent mutual fund portfolio changes based on short-term performance. An investor's midcap and smallcap investments, some only months old, were reviewed. While most schemes are deemed appropriate, a retirement fund's lock-in period warrants careful consideration for flexibility. Thorough research and patience are key to long-term wealth creation, with a minimum two-year timeframe recommended before assessing fund performance.

Over the last 10 years, microcaps delivered the highest returns, outperforming midcaps, small caps, and large caps. Here is a detailed breakup, as reported by ET Wealth.

Five conservative hybrid mutual funds delivered steady SWP returns over a three-year period, according to ET Wealth data as of June 17, 2026. SBI Magnum Childrens Benefit Fund led with 11.8%, followed by Parag Parikh Conservative Hybrid Fund at 10.9%. Other funds delivered returns between 9.3% and 10.1%.

A financial expert reviews a Rs 43,500 monthly SIP portfolio built for a 20-year horizon and suggests minimal changes. The key recommendation is replacing one active midcap fund with a passive index fund while keeping existing allocations largely intact and using debt funds for short-term investment needs.

Affluent investors are increasingly turning to newly launched hybrid specialised investment funds (SIFs) for their tax efficiency and better returns than traditional fixed-income options. These funds, blending debt, equity, and derivatives, have attracted significant assets, with hybrid strategies dominating. Their appeal lies in equity taxation benefits and lower volatility, offering attractive post-tax returns for wealthy individuals and family offices.