Abhishek Kumar, Business Standard

Stories by Abhishek Kumar, Business Standard

Bullion boom aids ETF assets cross Rs 1 trn

Bullion boom aids ETF assets cross Rs 1 trn

Rediff.com   9 Oct 2025

The gold and silver holdings of domestic mutual funds (MFs) crossed the Rs 1 trillion mark for the first time in September, powered by a blistering commodity rally that lifted precious metal prices and drew fresh inflows into dedicated MF schemes.

MFs ease exit load to attract investors

MFs ease exit load to attract investors

Rediff.com   3 Oct 2025

The competitive intensity in the mutual fund (MF) industry is moving beyond scheme performance, cost structures, and distribution. In recent months, several fund houses have rationalised exit loads applicable on redemptions.

Gold, Silver Shine As Stocks Slip

Gold, Silver Shine As Stocks Slip

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2025

'The frenzy for gold is primarily due to the uncertainty surrounding the tariff war.'

Smallcap Schemes Stage Comeback

Smallcap Schemes Stage Comeback

Rediff.com   26 Sep 2025

This marks a rebound after more than two years of underperformance during a strong rally in smallcap stocks.

Balanced advantage funds tilt towards equities, again

Balanced advantage funds tilt towards equities, again

Rediff.com   23 Sep 2025

Balanced advantage funds (BAFs), which adjust between stocks and bonds depending on market conditions, have increased their equity holdings over the past year, with most schemes now predominantly invested in equities.

MFs Gain Ground Over Bank Deposits

MFs Gain Ground Over Bank Deposits

Rediff.com   1 Sep 2025

The ratio of MF assets under management to total bank deposits has more than doubled in 10 years.

Munir's Moves: Why India Must Be On High Alert

Munir's Moves: Why India Must Be On High Alert

Rediff.com   26 Aug 2025

A Pakistan that is more secure in its relations with the US is also one that might well wish to indulge in another cross-border misadventure.

State Bank of India led MF buys in July with Rs 10,000 crore QIP bet

State Bank of India led MF buys in July with Rs 10,000 crore QIP bet

Rediff.com   16 Aug 2025

Mutual funds (MFs) - flush with cash amid record inflows in July - invested heavily in the Rs 25,000-crore qualified institutional placement (QIP) of India's largest lender State Bank of India (SBI). Fund managers acquired SBI shares worth Rs 10,200 crore last month, making the lender their biggest buy in July.

Record equity inflows in July push mutual funds' AUM beyond Rs 75 trn

Record equity inflows in July push mutual funds' AUM beyond Rs 75 trn

Rediff.com   12 Aug 2025

Net inflows into equity mutual fund (MF) schemes scaled a record high in July as the market correction and a raft of new fund offerings (NFOs) lifted lump-sum collections. Active equity schemes raked in a net Rs 42,702 crore in July, going past the previous high of Rs 41,156 crore in December 2024. Systematic investment plan (SIP) inflows continued to scale new highs, rising over 4 per cent month-on-month (M-o-M) to Rs 28,464 crore.

Mutual funds turn up the dial on active factor funds

Mutual funds turn up the dial on active factor funds

Rediff.com   25 Jul 2025

The factor fund launch spree by mutual funds (MFs) is moving from the passive to the active space. Two new fund offerings (NFOs) - ICICI Pru Active Momentum Fund and Bandhan Multi-Factor Fund - are currently open for subscription. Sundaram MF's multi-factor fund NFO closed this Wednesday.

List of companies with high MF ownership swells, midcaps lead the large

List of companies with high MF ownership swells, midcaps lead the large

Rediff.com   9 Jul 2025

Mutual funds (MFs) have significantly increased their ownership across market segments, but the midcap space stands out with comparatively higher growth. Data reveals that the number of midcap companies with over a fifth of MF ownership has doubled from nine in March 2022 to 18 by March 2025. In contrast, largecap stocks saw only a marginal rise, from three to four such companies during the same period.

'The RBI has started to support growth'

'The RBI has started to support growth'

Rediff.com   2 Jul 2025

'Deposit and lending rates have started to fall considerably. It is likely to spur investment and consumption of durables.'

Mutual Fund Cash Exposure Declines For The First Time In Six Months

Mutual Fund Cash Exposure Declines For The First Time In Six Months

Rediff.com   27 Jun 2025

The top 20 fund houses held 6.8 per cent of their portfolios in cash as of May 31, down from a record high of 7.2 per cent in April 2025.

Debt funds now look to accruals as interest rate cut cycle peaks

Debt funds now look to accruals as interest rate cut cycle peaks

Rediff.com   17 Jun 2025

With the interest rate cut cycle nearing its end, several debt fund managers are shifting their focus towards interest income rather than betting on duration in anticipation of capital gains.

Equity MF inflows hit 13-month low in May despite market recovery

Equity MF inflows hit 13-month low in May despite market recovery

Rediff.com   11 Jun 2025

Inflows into equity mutual fund (MF) schemes declined in May, logging their lowest tally in 13 months at Rs 19,013 crore. It came even as the gross systematic investment plan (SIP) inflows surged to a record high of Rs 26,688 crore.

Market volatility slows MF investor additions

Market volatility slows MF investor additions

Rediff.com   5 Jun 2025

New investor additions by mutual funds (MFs) have slowed dramatically in recent months, indicating that market correction and a rise in volatility are somewhat dimming the appeal of equity schemes. MFs have onboarded 300,000 new investors in April 2025, the lowest in 22 months.

'Indian Stocks Unlikely To Give Significant Returns In 12 Months'

'Indian Stocks Unlikely To Give Significant Returns In 12 Months'

Rediff.com   30 May 2025

'Right now, silver -- and especially platinum -- are very cheap compared to gold. If I were buying today, I would choose platinum.'

Cyberattacks Surge After Operation Sindoor, But India Mounts Strong Defence

Cyberattacks Surge After Operation Sindoor, But India Mounts Strong Defence

Rediff.com   22 May 2025

For the first time, the Data Security Council of India assembled a joint task force to source threat intelligence at the origin and ensure coordinated action across the cybersecurity spectrum.

Apple's India Plans Unfazed by US-China Tariff Truce

Apple's India Plans Unfazed by US-China Tariff Truce

Rediff.com   22 May 2025

There's no change in Apple Inc's India strategy, said a top government source. 'It can only be enhanced'.

How Much Does Pakistan Spend On Defence?

How Much Does Pakistan Spend On Defence?

Rediff.com   22 May 2025

In 2024, Pakistan shelled out $10.2 billion in defence spends.