Mutual Funds log Rs 1.62 lakh cr inflows in Apr-Dec FY'16

Investors have pumped in a whopping Rs 1.62 lakh crore into various mutual fund schemes in the first 9 months of the current fiscal, mainly in equity and money market categories.
In contrast, inflows worth Rs 87,942 crore were witnessed in the April-December period of last fiscal.
"Inflow has been across asset classes, but investors' participation in equity oriented funds is a positive thing for the industry," Quantum AMC CEO Jimmy Patel said.
Further, volatile markets have not dampened the spirits of investors who continue to pour money into equity funds, he added.
Mutual Fund (MF) is an investment vehicle that pools funds from many entities for investing in securities such as stocks, bonds, money market instruments and similar assets.

As per the latest data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India, investors put in a net Rs 1,61,696 crore in mutual fund schemes during April-November period of 2015-16.

Investors have put in most of the money in equity and 'liquid' or money market category.
Equity and equity linked schemes witnessed an inflow of Rs 69,958, while 'liquid' or money saw an investment of Rs 53,220 crore.
Further, balanced funds and income funds registered an inflow of Rs 17,844 crore and Rs 14,697 crore respectively. However, Gold ETFs saw an outflow of Rs 575 crore.
Liquid and money market funds invest mainly in money market instruments like commercial papers, treasury bills, term deposits and certificate of deposits. These funds have a lower maturity period and do not have any lock-in period.

The robust inflow has helped mutual funds asset base to reach Rs 13.41 lakh crore at the end of December 2015 from Rs 11.88 lakh crore in March-end.