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Who does not love to travel? Most of us would give anything to take a long break from our regular work life and travel the world! And if the vacation rental behemoth <keyword id="19900375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbnb" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Airbnb" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Airbnb">Airbnb</keyword> is to be believed, Indians are taking to traveling with renewed vigor. When it comes to international travel right now, most Indians are traveling to Tokyo, largely to witness the momijgari (red leaf hunting), or the autumn tradition where leaves turn red, which makes for a breathtaking sight. For those seeking a little peace and quiet, the Amalfi Coast, off the Mediterranean Sea is in vogue. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are also being increasingly making their way on the travel wish list of most Indian travellers. Per Airbnb, other countries on this list include Montenegro, Norway, Luxembourg, and Georgia. Closer home, the bustling city of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh is amongst the top travel destination for most Indians, along with the tropical Lakshadweep. People are also flocking to Ujjain and the hilly, quaint town of Munsiyari in Uttarakhand to take a well deserved break from their hectic lives. Says Vinay Bagri, Co-founder and CEO, Niyo, a travel banking platform"India’s growing middle class and increasing incomes are driving the rise in outbound travel. Additionally, India’s soft power diplomacy is shaping global travel industry trends. According to the Henley Passport Index, there are 62 countries where Indian passport holders can travel visa-free". "Niyo has seen a 60% growth in international travel over the past year. 55% among leisure travelers, 70% in student travel, and 25% in business travel. Interestingly, 40% of the customers we onboarded were first-time international travellers”, he continued. <h2>Be financially prepared</h2>But while it is great to travel, or take that dream vacation or overseas trip, setting aside money for the same can certainly be a herculean task. That's why, the key to a stress-free getaway, irrespective of it being a short break or an extended adventure, lies in making strategic investment choices. Here are some ways in which you can create a healthy corpus for your travelling, all from your savings: Creating a Vacation Budget Establish a comprehensive budget that covers expenses such as travel, currency exchange rates, time off from work, and the number of travelers. Conducting in-depth research on your destination, the best time to visit, and other relevant details can also lead to significant savings. A good idea is to plan in advance the number of vacations you wish to take each year. Deciding and booking your tickets ahead of time can help you save costs. Also, having a dedicated <keyword id="23343124" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Travel-Fund" source="keywords">travel fund</keyword>, separate from your daily expenses, helps you stay focused. Consider using a fixed deposit or a liquid mutual fund to watch your money grow faster. Per Swati Bhargava, Co-Founder of CashKaro and EarnKaro, building a travel fund not only allows you to experience your dream vacation, but also fosters healthy financial habits that prevents debt and maximizes the value of your hard-earned money. Short-term Gains for Quick Access Says Bhuvan Rustagi COO &amp; Co-founder of Per Annum, "By exploring options such as recurring deposits, liquid funds and short-term bonds, individuals can enhance their financial flexibility, which can also help them plan any spontaneous adventures". Don't let your travel fund sit idle in a savings account. You can invest it in various short-term instruments, depending on your risk appetite. In case you want to play it safe, a recurring deposit or liquid funds are a good option. For people willing to take on more risk, P2P lending can also be a good option. Automate your way By setting up recurring transfers from your primary account to a dedicated travel savings account, you can ensure that a portion of your income is automatically saved each month. This disciplined approach will eliminates the temptation to spend impulsively, and will also help you stay committed to your travel goals. During the festive season, which will set in from next month, most online platforms, websites, and aggregators abound with enticing discounts on flights and hotels. Keep a keen eye on these deals, and you can significantly reduce travel expenses and plan your trip more efficiently. During the sales, travel portals often offer exclusive discounts tied to specific banks or release flash sales. That is also a great way to maximize your savings on travel. Many Indians are also turning to <keyword id="23343125" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cashback-Platforms" source="keywords">cashback platforms</keyword> to maximize their savings on travel bookings. According to reports, the travel sector sees an average cashback rate of 8%, the highest of all sectors. Further clubbed with credit cards you save a lot more on your hotels &amp; flights. No wonder, travel credit cards emerged as the frontrunners, experiencing a remarkable 27% YoY growth in 2023. "For those planning a festive season getaway, combining multiple offers can lead to substantial savings, making your dream destination more affordable”, continues Bhargava So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next travel destination now. With smart investments and budgeting, it might happen for you, sooner than you think!

World Tourism Day: Here's where India is travelling to, and how you too, can join the bandwagon

New Delhi, Capital markets regulator Sebi on Monday proposed to provide flexibility to Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), <keyword id="20198292" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="venture-capital-funds" source="keywords">Venture Capital Funds</keyword> (VCFs) and their investors to deal with unliquidated investments of their schemes beyond expiry of tenure. In its consultation paper, the regulator suggested that instead of launching a new liquidation scheme by AIFs, the same scheme itself can be allowed to continue with the unliquidated investments beyond their tenure for a certain period or dissolution period for fully liquidating their unliquidated investments. Additionally, the regulator proposed extending flexibility of the dissolution process to venture capital funds through migration to the <keyword id="19903848" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aif" source="keywords">AIF</keyword> regime. At present, the option to launch liquidation scheme is available only to those schemes of AIFs which are under 'Liquidation Period'-- the period of one year following the expiry of tenure of the scheme for fully liquidating the scheme and not available to VCFs, irrespective of whether their tenure has expired or not. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has sought public comments till February 2 on the proposal. The proposal came after Sebi received representations from participants in the AIF industry highlighting certain tax related issues. They also highlighted that setting up a liquidation scheme and winding up the original AIF scheme is a process involving time, cost, and efforts, which directly or indirectly, would ultimately be paid by investors. In the consultation paper, the regulator suggested that during the liquidation period of an AIF scheme, if the AIF decides to opt for dissolution period, then AIF should obtain positive consent of 75 per cent of investors by value of their investment in the scheme. After obtaining the consent, the AIF should arrange bids for a minimum of 25 per cent of the value of the unliquidated investments. The bids should be arranged for units representing consolidated value of all unliquidated investments of the scheme's investment portfolio. Sebi suggested that investor approval and bid should be obtained by the AIF before the expiry of the Liquidation Period of the scheme. "Liquidation schemes that have already been launched by AIFs shall be grand-fathered," Sebi said. The regulator also suggested one-time flexibility to AIF schemes, whose Liquidation Period has expired or would be expiring within one month from the date of notification in this regard, to deal with unliquidated investment. Also, it has recommended extending flexibility of the dissolution process to venture capital funds through migration to the AIF regime. It further suggested that such migration should be smooth and cost effective. Under the <keyword id="20198293" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vcf-regulations" source="keywords">VCF Regulations</keyword>, VCFs are required to liquidate their investments within three months from the expiry of their tenure, whereas AIF Regulations provide AIFs a Liquidation Period of 12 months for the said purpose. There is no provision in <keyword id="20198294" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vcf" source="keywords">VCF</keyword> Regulations for extension of tenure of VCF scheme. Therefore, any VCF operating beyond their tenure specified in the Private <keyword id="20198291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="placement-memorandum" source="keywords">Placement Memorandum</keyword> (PPM) is in violation of the VCF rules. Accordingly, Sebi suggested a new framework to facilitate VCFs to migrate to AIF Regulations, so that the proposed flexibility of Liquidation Period and the flexibility of dealing with unliquidated investments by opting for dissolution period / process, can be availed by VCFs. Under the proposed regulatory framework for migration of VCFs to AIF Regulations, a sub-category should be created under Category I - VCFs called Migrated VCFs. Such VCFs can migrate themselves within 6 months of the date of Sebi's notification in this regard. Sebi suggested that certain flexibilities under VCF rules should continue to be availed by migrated VCFs and accordingly the migrated VCFs should be exempted from the requirements of minimum investment requirement in AIF, minimum corpus size, maximum number of investors in a scheme, manner of calculation of tenure and audit of terms of PPM. Moreover, certain benefits of AIF Regulations that are not available under VCF rule should be extended to migrated VCFs.

Sebi mulls flexibility for AIF, VCFs to deal with unliquidated investments beyond tenure expiry

New Delhi [India], July 19 (ANI): Households are choosing the <keyword id="20033427" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="capital-markets" source="keywords">capital markets</keyword> over the <keyword id="19934118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="banks" source="keywords">banks</keyword> to park or invest their <keyword id="25450" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="savings" source="Orion">savings</keyword>, highlighted <keyword id="64190" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI-Governor" source="Orion">RBI Governor</keyword> <keyword id="3083263" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shaktikant-Das" source="Orion">Shaktikant Das</keyword> during his address at FE Modern BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) Summit 2024 on Friday. Governor Das highlighted that traditionally, banks were the primary choice for households to invest their money. However, there has been a noticeable change in consumer behaviour, with a growing preference for capital markets and other <keyword id="5869841" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="financial-intermediaries" source="Orion">financial intermediaries</keyword>. He noted, "Households and consumers who traditionally leaned on banks for parking or investing their savings are increasingly turning to the capital markets and other financial intermediaries." This trend indicates a broader diversification of <keyword id="22469312" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="household-investments" source="Orion">household investments</keyword> into <keyword id="19929240" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-funds" source="keywords">mutual funds</keyword> and other savings tools, moving away from traditional investment tools. The Governor stated, "While bank deposits continue to remain dominant as a percentage of the financial assets owned by the households, their share has been declining, with households increasingly allocating their savings to Mutual Funds, Insurance Funds, and Pension Funds." Governor Das also pointed out that this shift in investment patterns has significant implications for the banking sector. Banks now need to explore alternative methods to bridge the gap between credit and deposits. He added, "On their part, banks have sought to fill the credit-deposit gap by increasing their reliance on other sources like short-term borrowings and certificates of deposit, etc. This increases their sensitivity to interest rate movements and poses challenges to liquidity management." The Governor further elaborated on the implications of the shift from CASA (Current Account Saving Account) deposits, stressing that banks must remain vigilant and adaptive. He stated that banks need to continuously focus on improving and refining their credit underwriting standards and the pricing of risks to maintain stability and profitability. Reflecting on recent global banking events, Governor Das drew attention to the banking crises in the US and Switzerland in 2023, which highlighted the risks and vulnerabilities inherent in certain business models. He emphasized the importance of learning from these crises to enhance the resilience of the banking sector. "The banking crisis in the US and Switzerland in 2023 has again brought into focus the risks to banking stability from certain business models and their inherent vulnerability," he added.

Household savings are choosing mutual funds over banks to invest savings: RBI Governor

In Maharashtra’s Thane district, police have registered a case of alleged fraud involving two construction company owners accused of deceiving a family of ₹1.2 crore. The incident came to light after a 28-year-old woman from Thane’s Rabodi area lodged a complaint against the two accused, who are brothers. The accused allegedly persuaded the woman, her mother, and her sister to invest the substantial sum in their construction company based in Mumbai’s Bandra area. Promises were made of a significant payout within five years or, alternatively, the option of acquiring two or three apartments in the city’s prime real estate zone. According to the complaint, the woman’s family entered the deal on December 31, 2022, convinced by assurances of either a return of ₹3 crore over five years or property options in Bandra. To meet the required investment amount, the family borrowed funds from various sources, entrusting their money with the accused based on the lucrative promises. The police official handling the case noted that the family, enticed by the seemingly profitable terms, had not foreseen the outcome that would follow. In May 2023, however, when the family attempted to reclaim their funds and the anticipated profit, the accused allegedly declined the request. The complainant stated that the brothers not only refused to pay but also reportedly threatened the family, citing powerful connections that would shield them from legal repercussions. This behaviour alarmed the family, leading them to seek legal recourse. The Rabodi police have filed a case against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 420 for cheating, Section 406 for criminal breach of trust, and Section 506 for criminal intimidation. Additionally, charges were filed under Section 34, indicating common intention, along with relevant provisions of the Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors Act. The case highlights the dangers that investors may face when lured by high-return promises in unregulated sectors. Fraudulent schemes in real estate and construction have been known to target individuals and families looking for profitable investments, often leaving them with financial losses and emotional distress. Authorities are continuing investigations, with the Rabodi police closely monitoring the case to gather further evidence. This incident is expected to bring more attention to regulatory practices within the real estate industry and underscore the need for stricter oversight to protect potential investors from falling prey to deceitful operators. (with PTI inputs)

Thane family loses Rs 1.2 crore as they get cheated by construction company, details here

New Delhi: Markets regulator <keyword id="19901201" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sebi" source="keywords">Sebi</keyword> has proposed a minimum ticket size or <keyword id="21732014" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="investment-threshold" source="keywords">investment threshold</keyword> of Rs 1 crore for the RBI-regulated originators and unregulated entities engaged in securitisation activities. The proposal also introduced limitations on the number of investors in <keyword id="22496291" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="private-placements" source="keywords">private placements</keyword>, allowing <keyword id="23778966" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="securitized-debt-instruments" source="keywords">securitized debt instruments</keyword> (SDIs) issued privately to be offered to a maximum of 200 investors. If this limit is exceeded, the issuance must be classified as a public issue. Public offers should remain open for a minimum of three days and a maximum of 10 days, with advertisement requirements aligned with Sebi's regulations for non-convertible securities. Additionally, the regulator has suggested that all securitized debt instruments should be issued and transferred exclusively in demat form. SDIs are financial products created by pooling together various types of debt -- such as loans, mortgages, or receivables -- and then selling them as securities to investors. This process, known as securitisation, allows the originator (such as a bank) to convert illiquid assets into liquid ones, providing an alternative source of funding. Investors in these instruments receive returns based on the performance of the underlying debt pool, and the risk is spread across multiple assets, offering potentially attractive returns. The current framework is based on Sebi's 2008 regulations, with updates from the Reserve Bank of India's (<keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI" source="keywords">RBI</keyword>) 2021 directions on securitising standard assets. The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is now considering updates to the regulatory framework for securitized debt instruments and sought public comments till November 16 on the proposals. Regarding risk management, Sebi has proposed that originators retain a minimum risk retention of 10 per cent of the securitised pool or 5 per cent for receivables with a maturity of up to 24 months. A minimum holding period requirement will also be specified by Sebi for underlying receivables to ensure that originators maintain an interest in the underlying assets, the regulator said in a consultation paper. The regulator further suggested including an optional clean-up call for originators, allowing them to repurchase up to 10 per cent of the original value of the assets. This call is optional and intended to help manage the pool's longevity without mandating additional commitments from the originator. Liquidity facilities, essential to handle timing mismatches in cash flows, should either be provided directly by the originator or through an appointed third party. The updated definition of "debt/receivables" limits permissible underlying assets to listed debt securities, accepted trade receivables, rental incomes, and equipment leases while disallowing single-asset securitisation. The proposal establishes minimum track record requirements for both originators and obligors. Originators should have a minimum of three years of operating experience, while trade receivables specifically require at least two cycles of successful, default-free payments.

Sebi proposes Rs 1 crore minimum investment, mandatory demat form for securitized debt instruments

<ul><li><keyword id="3117450" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HDFC-Capital" source="Orion">HDFC Capital</keyword> has raised $376 million under the second scheme of <keyword id="16012698" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="HDFC-Capital-Affordable-Real-Estate-Fund-3" source="Orion">HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Fund -3</keyword> (<keyword id="15003778" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="H-CARE-3" source="Orion">H-CARE 3</keyword>).</li><li>H-CARE 3 is a <keyword id="16012699" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="category-II-alternative-investment-fund" source="Orion">category II alternative investment fund</keyword> (AIF) that focuses on providing long-term investment in affordable and mid-income housing projects.</li><li>In addition, the real estate private equity arm of HDFC Group will also invest in technology companies engaged in the affordable housing ecosystem.</li><li>Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), through a wholly-owned subsidiary, is the primary investor in H-CARE 3 schemes 1 and 2.</li></ul> HDFC Capital, a subsidiary of top mortgage lender Housing Development Finance Corporation, has raised $376 million under the second scheme of HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Fund -3 (H-CARE 3). H-CARE 3 is a category II alternative investment fund (AIF) that focuses on providing long-term, flexible funding across the lifecycle of affordable and mid-income housing projects, including early-stage funding. HDFC Capital is the investment manager to HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Fund 1 (H-CARE 1), HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Fund 2 (H-CARE 2) and HDFC Capital Affordable Real Estate Fund 3 (H-CARE 3). All these funds combine to create a $ 3.1 billion platform targeting the development of affordable and mid-income housing in India. Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA), through a wholly-owned subsidiary, is the primary investor in H-CARE 3 schemes 1 and 2. “Despite the recent headwinds in the global macro landscape, I continue to be optimistic about the demand for homes in India. As the pivot of global growth shifts, India is envisaged to remain amongst the fastest growing major economies,” said Deepak Parekh, chairman, HDFC. “And housing will play an even more important role as a catalyst for growth. HDFC Capital has been one of the pioneers of investing in affordable and mid-income housing projects in India.” Parekh further added that, “With the support of leading global investors like ADIA and partnerships with trusted developers, the HDFC Capital platform is well on its way to achieve its medium-term goal of funding one million affordable homes in India.” In addition, the real estate private equity arm of HDFC Group will also invest in technology companies (construction technology, fin-tech, sustainability-tech etc.) engaged in the affordable housing ecosystem, the company said. “At HDFC Capital, our vision is to finance the development of the affordable housing ecosystem in India and provide a seamless platform for all stakeholders including global investors, developers, and vendors to access financing and technology innovations to develop sustainable and smart affordable homes,” said Vipul Roongta, MD &amp; CEO at HDFC Capital. HDFC Capital’s target is to finance the development of one million affordable homes in India through a combination of innovative financing, partnerships and technology, whilst focusing on sustainability. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indias-credit-worthiness-to-be-stable-in-2023-but-upcoming-elections-could-keep-social-spending-elevated-moodys/articleshow/96851926.cms">India’s credit worthiness to be stable in 2023, but upcoming elections could keep social spending elevated: Moody’s</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/gautam-adani-aap-ki-adalat-interview-dhirubhai-ambani-is-my-role-model-mukesh-ambani-a-very-good-friend/articleshow/96828407.cms">Dhirubhai Ambani is my role model and Mukesh Ambani a very good friend, says Gautam Adani</a>

HDFC Capital raises $376 million under alternative investment fund for affordable housing; ADIA is primary investor

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Investors face diminishing returns from cash alternatives as interest rates decline.</li><li>Money market funds offered low-risk yields, but missed gains in the S&amp;P 500.</li></ul>Just a year ago, if the stock market got bumpy or felt risky, investors could shave a bit off their positions and park in cash-like <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/banking/what-is-a-money-market-account">money market funds</a> yielding slightly over 5%.Today, cash alternatives are yielding slightly less. Still, they remain near or above 4.5%, which is a tempting return in exchange for no risk. But as we head deeper into an <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/fed-cut-rates-inflation-powell-blackrock-ceo-larry-fink-2024-10#:~:text=The%20Federal%20Reserve%20will%20disappoint,a%20rise%20in%20global%20inflation.">interest-rate-cutting cycle</a>, the benefits of sitting on the sidelines will diminish, and investors will need to rethink their strategy.While the perk of a low-risk asset with a decent yield seems like a sweet deal, it actually did some investors a disservice, says Mark Malek, the CIO at Siebert. Specifically, those who didn't have liquidity needs but chose to sit in cash anyway missed out on a strong year for the S&amp;P 500."I'm going to say something controversial, which is that we weren't having as many of these conversations when money markets were almost zero," Malek said. "Clients had no other alternatives, so they were putting their money to work in the equity markets or in the best bonds they could find. Many people should have probably invested in equities and would've probably gotten great returns."The main advantage money markets give investors is quick access to their cash, followed by lower risk and then a decent yield. The former is harder to match. But the latter two can be found in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/treasury-bonds">Treasuries, notes, and bonds</a>, Malek said. By sticking to shorter-term Treasuries, investors can still meet their liquidity needs."That's where the whole conversation changes because now you're saying, 'OK, we can get you into a three-month bill, but then you would want to hold that,'" Malek said, adding that he would never advise a client who needs liquidity to go further out and buy a two-year note. And anyway, the yield curve is inverted, meaning there's no term premium, with the best yields coming from the one-month out to the six-month Treasury.It's about gauging liquidity needs and then sticking to bills or looking for older notes that are months away from maturity, Malek said. The main challenge with going shorter term is the rollover risk, which happens when you're faced with less favorable yields once the current Treasury matures. For investors who don't have immediate cash needs, Malek advises a six-month bill at a 4.5% yield since he expects rates to be 75 basis points lower by then. If liquidity needs arise, investors may be able to sell for a profit if the Fed's cutting cycle is steeper than expected, he added.Investors with a bit more of a risk appetite who want to maintain a yield just over 5% should consider investment-grade corporate bonds, which are AAA to BB-rated, Malek said.<h2 id="ac89e755-a442-47d7-b00d-34e1f8eb6a94">Dollar alternatives</h2>While interest-rate cuts are part of the move away from cash, there are other factors that make the dollar, in general, a crummy place to be right now, says David Miller, the CIO at Catalyst Funds.Inflation remains present even if it's not as high as it was. The Federal deficit continues to balloon. And, the weaponization of the dollar against countries like Russia has made it less attractive globally, Miller noted.Based on these additional concerns, Miller says the closest alternative would then be <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/commodities/gold-price-record-high-became-etf-interest-rates-trump-costco-2024-10">gold</a>, and big money is vying for it. Central bank demand for gold reached its highest in a decade in 2022 and 2023. Although it slowed in 2024, it was still up by 6% from a year ago in the second quarter, according to the World Gold Council.Investors may feel queasy about the asset as it hits peak prices near $2,800 per ounce. But you have to consider the value of the dollar against that backdrop, Miller noted. Simply put, the M2 money supply, which includes cash and cash alternatives, has skyrocketed since 2020 by over 36%, debasing the dollar.For investors looking for that gold alternative, Millers says they can <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-invest-in-gold-price-record-highs-safe-haven-2024-10">buy coins, bars, and even gold ETFs</a>.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/investing/buy-bitcoin">Bitcoin</a> is another alternative that more risk-prone investors look to. As of Tuesday, it surpassed $71,000, hitting near its all-time highs as hedging demand grows. While it has similar liquidity to cash, it's much more speculative, Miller noted.

Cash is no longer king. Here are 3 alternatives investors are trading it for, according to chief money managers.

Focused <keyword id="19929240" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-funds" source="keywords">mutual funds</keyword>, which invest in a concentrated portfolio of <keyword id="19905382" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stocks" source="keywords">stocks</keyword>, are gaining traction among investors with the <keyword id="22748135" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="asset-base" source="keywords">asset base</keyword> of the category growing to Rs 1.43 lakh crore in three months ended June 2024, marking an increase of 31% from a year ago. Interestingly, some of the focused funds offered by the mutual fund houses such as <keyword id="22748136" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Invesco-India-Focused-Fund" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Invesco India Focused Fund" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Invesco India Focused Fund">Invesco India Focused Fund</keyword>, Mahindra Manulife Focused Fund, JM Focused Fund, and <keyword id="19896378" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hdfc" source="keywords">HDFC</keyword> Focused 30 Fund delivered a remarkable return of 40-60% in the past year, industry data showed. Focused funds are a type of mutual fund where the fund manager selects a concentrated portfolio of stocks, typically limited to a maximum of 30 due to regulatory constraints. This requires the fund manager to be highly skilled in stock selection, as they need to identify the best investment opportunities across the market without bias toward any specific market cap or sector. According to data from the <keyword id="20090034" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="association-of-mutual-funds" source="keywords">Association of Mutual Funds</keyword> in India (Amfi), the assets under management (AUM) of the focused funds were at Rs 1.43 lakh crore in the June quarter 2024-25 as compared to Rs 1.09 lakh crore in April-June FY24. This growth highlights the appeal of focused funds as an alternative to portfolio management services (<keyword id="19950020" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pms" source="keywords">PMS</keyword>), especially with recent tax changes that make PMS less attractive due to higher costs and tax implications, Feroze Azeez, Deputy CEO, of Anand Rathi Wealth Ltd, said. "With the increase in taxation on both small-term capital gain tax and long-term capital gain tax, PMS portfolios are expected to see a drop in post-tax returns. For example, a PMS portfolio generating a pre-tax return of 14 % could see post-tax returns drop from 11.73 % to 11.29 %. This shift could lead to fund managers churning portfolios less frequently, which in turn will be affecting returns for investors," he added. Focused funds follow a similar concentrated portfolio strategy where the fund manager picks the top stocks and offers flexibility across market caps. Thus, becoming a more attractive option for investors looking to optimize their returns. Industry experts recommend investing in focused funds through systematic investment plans (SIPs) as a smart strategy in the current market environment of sector rotation and high valuations. Since these funds invest in a small number of stocks, SIPs can help reduce risk by spreading out investments over time. Overall, there are 31 focused schemes offered by different mutual fund houses in the category. These schemes have given returns of 19-60% in the last one year. In terms of returns, smaller funds have performed exceptionally well. The Invesco India Focused Fund delivered a remarkable return of over 60% in the past year, while Mahindra Manulife Focused Fund provided around 50% returns and JM Focused Fund offered a return of 45% during the period. With a corpus of Rs 1,552 crore as of June 2024, Mahindra Manulife Focused Fund has consistently performed well, securing the second rank for 1, 2, and 3-year periods. The fund delivered returns of 50%, 32%, and 26% over these periods, respectively. HDFC Focused 30 Fund achieved the top rank over the 3 years with a return of 28.63 %, while JM Focused Fund secured the third rank with a 25 % return during the same period. "The success of focused funds underscores the importance of skilled fund management and strategic stock selection," an industry expert said. Focused funds opt for a more targeted strategy rather than the broad diversification typical of traditional mutual funds. This approach helps fund managers make investments in a carefully selected group of stocks, reflecting their strongest investment beliefs. The concentrated nature of these portfolios requires careful selection of each stock, as the fund's performance heavily depends on these choices. Although these funds hold a limited number of stocks, they are structured to be sufficiently diversified to effectively manage risk. Overall, the assets of the equity mutual funds rose to Rs 27.6 lakh crore in June 2024 from Rs 17.43 lakh crore in June 2023.

Focused MFs' asset base rises 31% to Rs 1.43 lakh cr in June qtr; up to 60% returns last year

June turned out to be a blockbuster month for thematic/sectoral <keyword id="19929240" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-funds" source="keywords">mutual funds</keyword>, which managed to amass Rs 22,351.69 crore during the month, the highest amongst all equity mutual funds. Overall, equity mutual funds saw <keyword id="19967545" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="inflows" source="keywords">inflows</keyword> worth Rs 40,537 crore, whereas debt mutual funds saw significant outflows of about Rs 1.07 lakh crore. Within this category, liquid and overnight funds saw maximum outflows. As Himanshu Srivastava, Associate Director – Manager Research, Morningstar Investment Research India noted, since June is a quarter end month, debt-oriented schemes, as expected, witnessed a net outflow. Only funds with a duration profile of less than 1 year, like low duration and money market funds, saw inflows. "The net outflow across the board could also be on the back of investors shifting towards equity markets in expectation of better returns, as the equity markets continue to touch all time high levels after the election results were announced. Between May and June, the number of folios in the debt segment fell from 7,091,977 to 7,013,214, which is a drop by 78,763 folios. In May, the number of folios fell by 26,088 folios". "Moreover, uncertainty over the interest rate cut cycle has also been keeping investors in tenterhooks. With no clarity on the probable timing for the beginning of interest rate cut cycle, investors, for a time being, would have decided to adopt a wait and watch approach and stay away from categories which are exposed to interest rate risks such as Dynamic and Gilt", he continued. <h2>SIP figures touch all-time highs</h2> As <keyword id="22344564" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="AMFI-data" source="keywords">AMFI data</keyword> further revealed, the number of new SIPs registered in June 2024 stood at a staggering 55,12,962. With this, the total number of SIP accounts in the country reached 8,98,66,962, inching up marginally from 8,75,89,485 in May 2024. SIP contributions also stood at an all-time high of ₹ 21,262.22 crores in June 2024 as against ₹ 20,904.37 crores in May 2024. The AUM of retail folios, which comprise of equity, hybrid and solution oriented was Rs 36,32,226 crores for June 2024. In <keyword id="22344565" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hybrid-schemes" source="keywords">hybrid schemes</keyword>, multi-asset allocation funds garnered Rs 3,453.12 crore in June, and Arbitrage funds saw inflows worth Rs 3,836.58 crore. The only hybrid scheme to see net outflows were conservative hybrid funds, which shed Rs 130.57 crore. June marked the 40th consecutive month of positive inflows for <keyword id="20210668" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="equity-funds" source="keywords">equity funds</keyword> since March 2021. As Feroze Azeez, Deputy CEO, Anand Rathi Wealth Limited highlights, "SIP numbers are hitting peaks every month, accumulating a stellar ₹21,260 crore. This strengthens the fact that Indian investors are resilient and are participating in the long-term growth of the market. The overall market behaviour supported by numbers suggests that investors are strategically positioning themselves with cautious yet optimistic approach for long-term growth". Last month, the Indian MF industry hit the Rs 60 trillion mark for the first time. Exactly 10 years ago, in 2014, the industry's AUM stood at Rs 10 lakh crore. Just 6 months ago, its AUM was Rs 51 lakh crore. Anand Vardarajan, Chief Business Officer - Key Clients &amp; Alternate Investments, Tata Asset Management underlines that is growth is a huge validation when it comes to expanding retail investor's base and investors themselves choosing mutual funds as a reliable investment vehicle for wealth creation. This is further underscored by the fact that the addition in six months is equal to what the industry has seen in ten years ago! <h2>Large and Mid Cap funds find investors </h2>After garnering consistently high inflows in the recent past, small cap funds amassed Rs 2,263.47 crore, a slightly sobering figure. Midcap funds saw inflows worth Rs 2,527.84 crore. On the other hand, inflows in large-cap funds dipped at significantly to stand at Rs 970.49 crore. Far more investments went towards the large and mid-cap funds, which saw inflows worth Rs 2,912.19 crore. Melvyn Santarita, Analyst – Manager Research, Morningstar Investment Research India notes that these substantial net inflows can be attributed to the election results announced earlier in the month. Investors have remained optimistic and invested on policy continuity and anticipated reforms, expecting stability within the coalition government at the Centre. It was this optimism that propelled markets to new all-time highs. The multi-cap category witnessed the second highest net inflows in June 2024 among the equity-oriented categories amounting to INR 4,708.5 crores which was its 3rd highest net inflows ever over a monthly period. Categories which are biased towards the large-caps segment like flexicap (Rs 3,058 crores) and Value (Rs 2,027 crores) saw robust inflows during the month. "While markets have been in a prolonged bull run, there are concerns about overvaluations in certain areas, particularly in the mid and small-cap segments. Consequently, investors may be opting to invest in large-cap segments, where valuations are more favorable", Santarita highlighted. "However, they also continued their investments in mid and small caps, since the returns generated by mid and small cap segment over the last few years haven’t got unnoticed. Hence, the categories having substantial exposure in these two segments have witnessed strong net inflows. It is important to note that mid and small cap segments are highly volatile. While they can give exceptionally high return in up markets, they can fall equally hard in down markets. It’s important for investors to take exposure in these funds in line with their risk appetite", he cautioned. However, Hitesh Thakkar, Acting CEO, ITI Mutual Fund is confident of the immense wealth creation opportunities mutual funds will offer in the coming 5-7 years to retail investors. "Mutual fund is one of the preferred, transparent &amp; cost-effective investment products in India and is well accepted by retail investors. The trend is positive for Mutual fund industry future growth. There are chances that Industry will cross milestone of ₹100 lakh crores AUM by 2030”, he says. <h2><keyword id="19895579" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gold" source="keywords">Gold</keyword> continues to glitter </h2>Net flows in Gold ETFs continued to be robust in June 2024, standing at Rs 726 crores. However, this was slightly below the net flows witnessed in May (Rs 827 crores). "Over the years, Gold has gained prominence as an effective diversifier, prompting many investors to include Gold ETFs in their portfolios. Gold prices also saw some slight correction in June which spurred buying from investors", underlines Santarita. However, the reason why inflows in gold ETFs have remained patchy as compared to equity is due to the significant gap in the returns offered. "Gold has done fairly well over the last year but dwarfs in comparison to how equities. Also, some investors could be choosing to opt for a risk-on approach to investing with the anticipation of a reversal in rate cycle going ahead", he continues.

Mutual fund AUM crosses the Rs 60 lakh crore mark, SIP nos. and AUM touch all-time highs

<ul><li>Flexi cap funds can invest across different market capitalisations such as large, mid and small caps. </li><li>Their appeal lies in the hands-on management provided by a professional, alleviating the need for investors to engage in extensive deliberation. </li><li>Investors are advised a long term horizon, at least five years or more, while investing in flexi cap funds. </li></ul>As of November 30, 2023, the assets under management in the flexi-cap category totaled ₹3.06 lakh crore, making it the largest asset base within the equity category, according to Association of <keyword id="6357979" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mutual-funds" source="Orion">Mutual Funds</keyword> in India (AMFI) data. Market regulator, SEBI had introduced new guidelines for multi-cap funds on September 11, 2020. The main essence of these proposed changes to the multi-cap category was that, starting from January 31, 2021, these funds would be required to allocate a minimum of 25% of their portfolio to large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap stocks each. After the announcement of the new guidelines regarding multi-cap funds, there were numerous discussions about the potential drawbacks for both investors and the markets. Recognising these concerns, SEBI appeared to acknowledge the issues and subsequently introduced a new category - flexi cap funds in November 2020. Flexi cap funds can invest across different market capitalisations such as large, mid and small caps. The benefit of this strategy is that these funds can tweak the allocation across market cap as per the evolving opportunities. For instance, if the fund manager foresees an impending economic downturn, he or she can tweak the portfolio towards large caps which can give relative stability and protect the downside to some extent. Similarly, having exposure to mid and small cap companies when there is a turnaround helps generate some extra alpha. This flexibility allows fund managers to adjust their portfolio allocations dynamically, taking advantage of changing market dynamics and identifying potential investment opportunities across different segments of the market. “It provides them with the freedom to invest in large-cap stocks when they see valuation comfort in that segment, and similarly, in mid-cap or small-cap stocks when they expect that market cap to do well,” says Amey Sathe, Fund Manager, Tata Mutual Fund. Why the <keyword id="10261513" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="flexicap" source="Orion">flexicap</keyword> fund category is so big The popularity of flexi cap funds stems from their inherent flexibility, sparing investors the need to navigate the complexities of choosing between mid-cap, small-cap, or large-cap investments. “By opting for a flexicap fund, investors can simply allocate their funds to this class, entrusting the fund manager with the responsibility of strategic allocation based on market conditions,” says Soumya Sarkar, Co-Founder, Wealth Redefine, a mutual fund distribution firm. The appeal lies in the hands-on management provided by a professional, alleviating the need for investors to engage in extensive deliberation over whether to focus on large-cap, mid-cap, or small-cap investments – a key reason why flexi cap funds are favoured by investors. Most of the fund managers have been managing this category conservatively with a tilt towards large cap and use mid and small cap portions as a tool to alpha generation. “Given the current scenario where large-cap has not run up much and small-cap has given a tremendous run, investors are allocating into the funds that are heavy on large-cap but at the same time give some flavour of mid and small-cap stocks which is talk of the town,” says Mukesh kochar National Head of Wealth at AUM Capital, a wealth management firm. <keyword id="6374680" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="returns" source="Orion">Returns</keyword> In the last one year, flexi cap funds as a category have given returns of 28.29% according to Valueresearch, while the three-year return has been 19.65%. Flexicap funds are benchmarked against the Nifty 500 Total Return Index (TRI) which has returned 22.51% in the last year. “We expect the category to gain prominence in 2024 considering valuation in various market caps is at crossroads and there is no compulsion to invest in categories wherein valuations are expensive,” says Sathe. <keyword id="17715484" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="should-you-invest" source="Orion">Should you invest</keyword>? Choosing to invest in a flexi-cap fund demands careful thought owing to its high risk nature. Unlike more conservative alternatives like balanced advantage funds, hybrid funds, or large-cap funds, flexi-cap funds carry increased risk by distributing funds across mid-cap and small-cap categories. This renders them inappropriate for risk-averse investors but appealing to those comfortable with higher levels of risk. Investors must recognize that their money, regardless of the amount, will be invested in mid-cap and small-cap categories, requiring a sufficient risk appetite and <keyword id="6133603" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="time-horizon" source="Orion">time horizon</keyword>. “If investors lack these attributes, it may be advisable to avoid flexi-cap funds; however, for those willing to embrace some risk without extensive analysis, flexi-cap funds present a viable investment option,” says Sarkar. Investors should thus have a long term horizon, at least five years or more, while investing in flexi cap funds. Investors should spread their allocation across funds with different styles (growth and value) for diversification. Kochar advises that for the first-time investor, it is advisable to go through the balance advantage fund route as these are more stable and less volatile compared to a flexicap fund which is 100% equity-oriented. These funds are relatively less risky as compared to sector or thematic funds. However, they are not completely immune to volatility. Thus, investors should be prepared to withstand some volatility and have a long term horizon while investing in this category of funds.

Flexicap funds explained: Do they provide the play your mutual funds portfolio needs?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Investment firms want to offer private-credit ETFs to ordinary investors, the WSJ reported. </li><li>It would give retail investors access to a $1.7 trillion market. </li></ul>A booming corner of the financial markets that has only been available to institutions might soon be open to everyday investors. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/wall-street-races-to-bring-private-credit-to-the-masses-8a25b624?mod=finance_lead_story">According to The Wall Street Journal,</a> some of the biggest private equity and investment management giants want to offer retail investors access to exchange-traded funds backed by private credit. The term broadly refers to loans made to companies and consumers by nonbank lenders. Historically, fund managers have sold "alternative assets" like private debt to institutional investors at a high cost, generating returns of around 10% in recent years — more than they would have seen from investing in the stock or bond markets.Now, as those institutions slow allocations to private credit, the biggest players in the space want to target a new class of investors. According to the Journal, firms like State Street, Apollo Global Management, and BlackRock are working to roll out private credit ETFs to regular investors. The challenge, though, is building a highly liquid ETF out of illiquid private loans. That hurdle is also what will likely draw the eye of regulators as they ensure the ETFs are appropriate for retail investors. But if these ETFs get approved, they will enable regular investors to tap into a booming market, one that BlackRock expects will more than double to $3.5 trillion by 2028. The race to launch private credit ETFs has heated up in recent months.In May, Capital Group and KKR teamed up to start offering funds investing in both public and private assets—including in private credit—starting next year.Last month, State Street proposed a private debt ETF to the Securities and Exchange Commission. The ETF would blend public debt with private debt on mortgage, corporate, and consumer loans purchased from Apollo Global Management. Anna Paglia, State Street's chief business officer, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://investors.statestreet.com/investor-news-events/press-releases/news-details/2024/State-Street-Global-Advisors-and-Apollo-Global-Management-Join-Forces-to-Increase-and-Broaden-Investor-Access-to-Private-Markets/default.aspx">said in a statement</a> the ETF would "democratize access to private asset exposures," and make them "more accessible to a wider swathe of investors.""It is our goal to bring these investments to scale and help facilitate the process of making private assets more accessible and liquid over time. We see this as only the beginning of a new wave of innovation as public and private markets increasingly converge," Paglia said. Alternative assets make up a small share—less than 3%—of individual investors' global investments, KKR's head of Global Client Solutions Eric Mogelof, told the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/wall-street-races-to-bring-private-credit-to-the-masses-8a25b624">Wall Street Journal</a>.But he says there is huge potential for that share to grow by over three times. "We anticipate these allocations to rise to 10% or greater in the future," he told the Journal.

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