The Economic Times

Jio BlackRock is set to launch its first Indian ETFs by August, aiming to mirror BlackRock's global success in passive investing. The joint venture, already managing $1.9 billion in assets, plans to initially focus on equity strategies. This move seeks to tap into India's growing, albeit nascent, ETF market, with plans for GIFT City products also underway.

SpaceXs planned IPO and potential inclusion in the Nasdaq-100 have renewed investor interest in Indian mutual funds tracking the benchmark. Such funds could gain indirect exposure to the aerospace giant, although fresh investments in several schemes remain restricted due to overseas investment limits.

Nippon India Value Fund has turned a Rs 10,000 monthly SIP into Rs 1.56 crore over 21 years, according to an ETMutualFunds analysis. Launched in June 2005, the fund holds a four-star rating from Value Research and Morningstar. A Rs 10,000 SIP started 10 years ago would now be worth Rs 27.06 lakh, while similar investments over five and three years would have grown to Rs 8.19 lakh and Rs 3.90 lakh, respectively.

Several flexicap funds have significantly increased their small-cap exposure over the past three years, reflecting confidence in smaller companies. Navi, Samco, and ICICI Prudential led the shift, seeking growth opportunities in niche businesses.

Tata Mutual Fund has temporarily restricted fresh subscriptions in its Tata Gold ETF and Tata Gold ETF Fund of Fund, citing prevailing market and economic conditions. While large direct investments and certain lump-sum inflows face limits, SIPs, SWPs, redemptions and switch-outs will continue without any restrictions.

Axis Mutual Fund has revised exit load structures across its equity schemes, removing charges for large-cap, flexicap and large & midcap funds while shortening the holding period for the midcap fund. The changes apply from June 15 and will cover all fresh investments, including SIPs, STPs and switches under the schemes.

BlackRock has launched the iShares Space Technologies UCITS ETF (STAR) for European investors, featuring a unique IPO fast-entry mechanism. This allows newly listed space companies to be added to the index within 10 to 30 days, rather than waiting for scheduled rebalances. The move follows a surge in investor interest in space ETFs.

Aggressive investors planning SIPs in June can consider a mix of flexi-cap, large-cap, mid-cap, small-cap and hybrid funds across investment baskets, based on ETMutualFunds' model portfolios designed using performance, consistency and risk-adjusted return metrics.

Retirees face a new challenge: managing wealth after decades of building it. Experts advise simplifying complex portfolios, especially those with many stocks. The focus moves to generating income and ensuring long-term financial security through strategic adjustments to investments and withdrawal plans.

Taxpayers can save income tax up to Rs 1.5 lakh annually by investing in Equity Linked Savings Schemes (ELSS). These tax-saving mutual funds offer potential for higher returns over the long term and have a shorter three-year lock-in period compared to other 80C options. Investors should be aware of the inherent risks associated with equity investments.

ICICI Prudential AMC CIO S Naren warned that rising leverage through derivatives and margin trading poses a bigger risk than any slowdown in mutual fund inflows. He sees private sector banks as attractive contrarian bets and remains optimistic on India's debt market amid improving fundamentals.

Multicap funds are required to allocate at least 25% each to large, mid and smallcap stocks, but some schemes have significantly higher exposure to the riskier mid and smallcap segments. Nippon India Nifty 500 Equal Weight Index Fund topped the list in April 2026, followed by Samco, Groww, DSP and Bajaj Finserv Multi Cap Fund.

Gold and silver ETFs declined sharply on Monday as precious metal prices corrected on the MCX amid rising crude oil prices, inflation concerns and expectations of higher US interest rates. While the selloff weighed on returns, experts believe the correction offers a gradual accumulation opportunity for long-term investors through systematic investments.

Zerodha Mutual Fund has introduced two new life cycle funds, targeting investors for specific retirement years: 2041 and 2036. These open-ended funds offer a dynamic investment approach, automatically shifting from aggressive to conservative asset allocation as the target date nears. They aim for long-term capital appreciation across equities, debt, and commodities.

South Korea and Taiwan are facing market pressure despite strong gains in semiconductor giants driving the AI boom. Heavy concentration in a few chipmakers has increased vulnerability to profit-taking and volatility, exposing the risks of narrow market leadership as investors reassess valuations amid geopolitical and economic uncertainties.

The BSE Sensex has fallen over 10,000 points from its peak. Market experts suggest this presents a buying opportunity for long-term investors. Continuing Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) is recommended to benefit from rupee cost averaging. Investors with idle cash can deploy it through staggered investments over several weeks. Diversified equity mutual funds are advised over single sector bets.

Large & mid cap mutual funds blend stability from large caps with the growth potential of mid caps, offering a riskier but potentially rewarding investment. These schemes are ideal for aggressive investors with a long-term horizon willing to embrace extra risk, with fund managers adjusting allocations based on market outlook.

Three major asset management companies have imposed purchase restrictions on large investors in gold mutual fund schemes. This move aims to curb gold imports and manage strong inflows, with retail investors expected to remain unaffected. Wealth managers see this as a response to the Prime Minister's call to reduce imports, following gold's significant recent performance.

The RBI maintained its repo rate at 5.25% and a neutral stance, raising inflation forecasts due to West Asian conflict-driven oil price hikes. Fund managers suggest corporate bonds for accrual income and a tactical bet on long-tenure gilt funds, anticipating improved FPI inflows after tax benefits.

Midcap stocks have dominated performance for a decade, but a shift towards small caps is emerging. Flexi-cap funds are increasing small-cap allocations, driven by improved fundamentals and regulatory advantages. While small caps offer potential alpha, investors must navigate their inherent volatility and focus on fundamentally strong businesses.

The move comes after the company received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) to commence mutual fund operations.

Eight flexi cap funds exhibited low performance consistency over the last five years, according to CRISIL's Mutual Fund Scorecard. These funds, despite generally low risk compared to peers, showed varying investment styles and delivered CAGRs ranging from 4.79% to 10.4%.

ICICI Prudential Large Cap Fund topped the list with a 97% performance consistency score, while eight other large-cap funds demonstrated strong return consistency and risk-adjusted performance over the past five years.

Five equity mutual funds, led by Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund, delivered over 20% CAGR in the last five years, highlighting the strong wealth-creation potential of select midcap and smallcap schemes.

Nippon India Mutual Fund has imposed temporary subscription limits on Nippon India ETF Gold BeES and Nippon India Gold Savings Fund from June 8. While SIPs and STPs will continue within prescribed limits, fresh lump-sum investments and direct subscriptions by large investors will face restrictions until further notice.

A 37-year-old investor planning a Rs 1,000 monthly SIP for 20 years sought advice on choosing between multicap and flexicap funds. Samir Shah of Investa Financial explained the differences, highlighting risk appetite, fund manager flexibility, and goal-based investing as key factors in selecting the right mutual fund category.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund has restricted subscriptions exceeding Rs 25 crore in its Gold ETF, becoming the second fund house to do so after HDFC Mutual Fund. This move aims to curb excessive financialization of gold at elevated prices, potentially impacting India's current account deficit and rupee. Investors are advised to consider profit booking and avoid fresh lump-sum allocations.

The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee held the repo rate steady at 5.25%, maintaining a neutral stance. Experts advise investors to focus on capital preservation and short-term strategies amidst global geopolitical risks. While some anticipate rupee stabilization, others foresee potential rate hikes if inflation persists, impacting bond market yields.

HDFC Mutual Fund has temporarily restricted large lump-sum investments in its Gold ETF and Gold ETF Fund of Fund amid surging gold prices and rising inflows. While SIPs remain unaffected, the move aims to curb excessive exposure to gold, which experts warn could worsen India's import bill and current account deficit.

PGIM India Mutual Fund has revised daily subscription limits for three international funds, effective June 5. Fresh SIPs are capped at Rs 50,000 per day, per investor, per scheme. Existing SIPs and STPs will continue, while new STP registrations will not be accepted after June 4, 2026.

The Reserve Bank of India maintained the repo rate at 5.25%, reflecting a cautious stance amid global uncertainties and inflation risks. Experts suggest this signals a stable interest-rate environment for debt funds in the near term, while equity investors should focus on earnings growth and global developments.

360 ONE Mutual Fund has launched the DynaSIF Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund, an open-ended strategy focused on mid and smallcap equities for long-term capital appreciation. The fund allows limited short exposure through derivatives, aiming to generate alpha across market cycles. The NFO is open until June 19.

Around 16 equity mutual funds delivered impressive returns over the last five years. These funds multiplied investors' lumpsum investments by over 2.3 times. Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund led the pack, more than doubling initial investments. Other top performers included Bandhan Small Cap Fund and Nippon India funds. This analysis highlights significant growth opportunities in select equity mutual funds.

Small cap mutual funds experienced a negative average return of 5% in 2025. Despite market volatility and rich valuations, investors are showing renewed interest with significant inflows in April 2026. Experts suggest staggered investments in these schemes can create wealth over the long term.

HDFC Mutual Fund has placed restrictions on buying gold ETFs. This move affects large investors and limits monthly purchases for others. The fund house cites economic conditions and import duty discussions. Investors are encouraged to explore equity and debt funds for national growth. This aims to curb gold inflows and safeguard investors.

PPFAS CIO Rajiv Thakkar said successful investing depends more on patience than frequent trading. He advised avoiding unnecessary selling, profit booking and reactionary decisions, while exiting only for capital needs, mistakes, fraud, structural disruption, extreme valuations or better opportunities.

Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund has launched the Motilal Oswal BSE Clean Environment Index Fund, an open-ended scheme tracking India's first diversified clean economy index. The NFO, open from June 5 to June 19, offers passive investment in five transformative themes: Renewables, EVs, Water Treatment, Recycling, and Waste Management, aiming for long-term capital appreciation.

Helios Capital founder Samir Arora believes investor pessimism toward India is driven more by a negative halo effect than weakening fundamentals. Speaking at the ET Alpha Wealth Summit, he argued that concerns around AI, valuations and FII selling are overstated, while Indias long-term earnings and growth story remains intact.

He believes a combination of free trade agreements (FTAs), a weakening rupee, and shifting global supply chains could create a massive opportunity for Indian exporters over the coming decade.

DSP Mutual Fund CEO Kalpen Parekh advised investors to seek future alpha in out-of-favour areas, not recent winners. He emphasized that market leadership rotates and diversification across asset classes can reduce volatility without sacrificing long-term returns, urging a focus on neglected opportunities.

Eight smallcap mutual funds showed low five-year performance consistency, according to CRISP Scorecard, with varied risk profiles, investment styles, and moderate returns across LIC MF, ICICI Prudential, SBI, and Kotak funds.

ICICI Prudential Multicap Fund has demonstrated a decade of positive calendar year returns, with 2021 and 2023 yielding the highest gains. The fund's consistent performance is attributed to its disciplined multicap structure and strategic sector allocation, as highlighted by fund managers and financial experts.

Mid cap mutual funds have seen a strong rally, leading to investor anxiety about current valuations. While these funds offer potential for high returns, they also carry significant risk due to volatility and corporate governance concerns.

Investors can explore manufacturing mutual funds for portfolio diversification. The sector shows strong potential driven by domestic demand and global supply chain realignments. Experts suggest a staggered investment approach over six months. The Nifty Manufacturing Index offers distinct exposure compared to the Nifty 50. This theme is poised for growth, supported by policy and evolving global needs.