The Economic Times

Mid and smallcap funds saw significant AUM growth over five years, with CAGRs of 32.41% and 39.93% respectively. However, geopolitical tensions and foreign fund outflows may impact their near-term performance, prompting investors to adopt a cautious stance amid market volatility.

Investors using SWP from mutual funds are taxed only on capital gains, not the full withdrawal amount. Experts suggest structuring withdrawals to keep annual LTCG within Rs 1.25 lakh to avoid tax. Understanding lock-in periods and fund structure is crucial, especially in equity-oriented childrens mutual funds.

A 38-year-old investor aiming for a Rs 3 crore corpus over 15 years received expert advice to bolster his SIP strategy. The recommendation includes adding a low-cost Nifty 50 index fund for a stable large-cap foundation, while continuing with existing flexi-cap, midcap, and small-cap funds, emphasizing patience for underperforming schemes.

Top NPS equity funds have delivered strong performance, offering up to ~16% returns over the past three years, highlighting their growing appeal for long-term investors.

Precious metal ETFs saw sharp declines on Monday. Silver ETFs dropped up to 20%, while gold ETFs fell as much as 9%. This downturn was driven by Middle East tensions and inflation fears. Experts advise against panic selling, recommending continued SIPs to buy at lower prices. Investors can consider tactical top-ups in diversified funds.

Conservative hybrid mutual funds are similar to erstwhile monthly income plans or MIPs. MIPs were extremely popular at one point. They used to invest a small part of their portfolio in stocks. But their USP, as the name suggests, was regular income in the form of dividends. However, regular dividends stopped when the market got into a bad phase. That was the end of MIPs. The lesson: do not bank on hybrid funds to secure a regular income.

As the new financial year begins, experts advise new investors to start SIPs with a blend of large-cap and flexi-cap mutual funds. Gold is recommended for hedging against global uncertainties, while silver is advised against due to current valuations. Investors should maintain disciplined SIPs, avoid pausing during volatility, and consider stepping up investments annually for long-term wealth creation.

Arbitrage funds, once a popular choice for idle cash, are seeing reduced investor interest. Inflows have significantly dropped. Rising costs, including higher transaction charges, and new regulations requiring investment in short-term government bonds are impacting returns. This shift is dimming the appeal of these funds for investors.

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has launched its Large Cap Fund, opening for subscription on March 24 and closing on April 7. The fund aims for long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in large-cap equities, benchmarked against the BSE 100 Index. It offers a direct plan with a growth option and a minimum investment of Rs 500.

Six new passive mutual fund NFOs have opened for subscription, offering investors fresh low-cost index-based investment options.

Silver has emerged as the top-performing asset class over the past decade, outperforming gold, equities and bonds. While mid- and small-cap stocks delivered strong returns, precious metals led the chart. Fixed-income and real estate lagged, highlighting the importance of asset allocation for long-term wealth creation across market cycles.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions and market volatility, investors are reassessing sectoral allocations. Mutual fund experts suggest focusing on domestic cyclicals, financials, and defensives like pharma, while remaining cautious on IT, metals, and oil and gas. They also highlight valuation risks and stress the importance of resilient businesses in uncertain conditions.

Several mutual funds have delivered strong returns over the past three years, with some posting CAGRs of up to 25%. The list includes a mix of flexi cap, focused, and passive funds. However, category inconsistencies raise questions, even as investors look at performance-driven fund selection.

Metal stocks have plunged recently due to geopolitical tensions and hawkish Fed commentary. However, experts anticipate a near-term surge in metal prices, driven by the Iran-US conflict and rising oil costs. Supply disruptions in the Middle East are particularly impacting steel and aluminum markets, with potential implications for Indian producers.

A 37-year-old investor seeks guidance on structuring her mutual fund portfolio for her childrens education. Expert Harshvardhan Roongta recommends rebalancing allocations by reducing small-cap exposure and strengthening large- and mid-cap holdings. The advice focuses on disciplined investing, clear fund categorisation, and maintaining a balanced portfolio aligned with long-term financial goals.

Indian markets witnessed a broad-based sell-off amid escalating Middle East tensions and rising crude oil prices. Several stocks, including IDBI Bank and SpiceJet, declined sharply during the week. Geopolitical risks, inflation concerns, and regulatory developments weighed on investor sentiment, dragging multiple sectors lower despite selective resilience in parts of the market.

Several major fund houses are holding substantial cash reserves, with SBI Mutual Fund leading with over Rs 34,000 crore. PPFAS Mutual Fund also stands out with a significant 21.19% of its assets in cash. This trend highlights a cautious approach by some of India's largest asset managers, with over Rs 13,000 crore held by just six entities in February.

Five major AMCs, including HDFC and SBI Mutual Fund, received over Rs 10,000 crore inflows each from top 30 cities in February, driving growth in monthly AAUM. ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund led the inflow chart, reflecting continued investor preference for large fund houses amid steady market participation.

Amidst West Asian conflict-induced market volatility, experts offer varied perspectives on investment strategies. While some see improved earnings-valuation for mid- and smallcaps, others advise caution due to elevated valuations, recommending diversified or staggered approaches. Focus remains on quality businesses as geopolitical clarity emerges.

Choosing the right mix of mutual funds and rebalancing at the right time is essential for long-term wealth creation. Experts suggest reviewing allocation across large-cap, midcap, and small-cap categories, booking profits where required, and shifting to diversified schemes to maintain balance, reduce risk, and strengthen overall portfolio health.

If you are planning to invest in balanced advantage schemes, here are our recommended schemes you can consider investing. There are no changes in the list this month. Follow our monthly updates to know how your schemes performed in the previous month.

Gold and silver ETFs rebounded up to 4% after a two-day decline, tracking a recovery in MCX prices. Experts view the rise as a short-term relief rally amid persistent bearish sentiment driven by strong dollar, hawkish Fed stance, and rising oil prices linked to Middle East tensions.

HSBC Flexi Cap Fund has demonstrated impressive long-term performance, turning a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 1.35 crore over 22 years. Despite recent market dips and some negative calendar year returns, the fund has consistently outperformed its benchmark and category average across various timeframes, showcasing its wealth creation potential.

India's largest asset manager SBI Funds Management filed for an initial public offering, where its existing investors State Bank of India and Amundi will together offload a 10% stake, its draft prospectus showed on Thursday.

HDFC Bank shares fell nearly 9% after the resignation of Chairman Atanu Chakraborty triggered leadership concerns. Mutual funds held 359 crore shares worth Rs 3.19 lakh crore before the fall, with SBI Mutual Fund leading exposure. The data highlights significant institutional holding in the stock despite recent volatility.

Shares of HPCL, BPCL and Indian Oil fell sharply on Thursday as crude oil prices surged past $110 per barrel amid escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel. Brokerages, including UBS, warn earnings may weaken sharply unless fuel pricing or subsidies change.

Crude-sensitive stocks including airlines, paint and tyre makers fell up to 4% as Brent crude surged above $110 amid escalating geopolitical tensions. Rising oil prices are expected to pressure margins and fuel costs, with analysts warning of potential impact on Indias macroeconomic indicators if elevated prices persist.

HDFC Bank's shares plummeted nearly 9%, dragging the Nifty Bank index down over 3% and breaching key support levels. Other major bank stocks also saw declines, influenced by HDFC Bank's fall and the US Federal Reserve's hawkish stance. Investors now await the RBI's upcoming meeting for further direction.