Debt Fund Inflows Plummet 62% as Investors Flock to Safer Short-Term Funds
Debt Fund Inflows Down Significantly
The mutual fund industry witnessed a notable 43% decline in net inflows for August 2024, totaling Rs 1.08 lakh crore compared to July's Rs 1.89 lakh crore. A significant factor driving this change was a dramatic 62% drop in inflows into debt mutual funds, according to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
Shift Towards Short-Term Funds
- Debt mutual funds reported inflows of Rs 45,169.36 crore in August, a sharp decline from July's Rs 1,19,587.60 crore.
- Overnight funds led the inflows with Rs 15,105.93 crore, followed by liquid funds at Rs 13,594 crore and money market funds.
- 12 of the 16 categories of debt mutual funds reported inflows, indicating a trend towards low-risk, short-duration investments.
Investor Behavior and Market Trends
Investors are prioritizing safer, shorter-term options while seeking clarity on interest rate movements. According to Nehal Meshram, Senior Analyst at Morningstar Investment Research India, there is a clear preference for categories such as corporate bond, short term, and ultra short duration funds.
Despite the overall decline, certain categories have witnessed significant interest:
- Gilt Funds have seen Rs 1,902.09 crore in inflows this month.
- Medium Duration funds recorded marginal inflows for the first time in 15 months, signifying a cautious change.
Active debt fund AUM expanded to Rs 16.00 Trillion in August, reflecting a 3.63% increase from July and a 14.29% rise year-on-year.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.