Inflow in equity MFs at 21-month low in Feb

Inflows in equity dipped to a 21-month low of Rs 2,522 crore last month, amid a sharp correction in equities. This is a third straight month of moderation in mutual fund (MF) inflows.

Monthly inflows into MF schemes have averaged Rs 7,300 crore in the first 10 months of the current financial year. There were months in the first quarter when it was in access of Rs 10,000 crore. Equity funds comprise purely equity diversified schemes and equity-linked saving schemes.

The February inflow was less than the monthly systematic investment plan book, which the sector claims to be Rs 3,000 crore. The benchmark indices fell around seven per cent in February and equity assets under management (AUM) shrank by Rs 30,000 crore, to Rs 3.54 lakh crore.

In November-December, equity assets had decisively surpassed the Rs 4 lakh crore mark, the first time in the sector's history. However, with the sharp fall in markets and drying of inflows, this did not sustain.

Thus far in FY16 (ending March 31), equity MFs have got a total inflow of Rs 75,400 crore, a record high for the sector in a year.