LIC Mutual Fund Re introduces Five Flagship Equity Schemes to Boost Investor Offerings

Mumbai | 14 May 2025

LIC Mutual Fund (LIC MF), one of India’s most trusted asset management companies, has reintroduced five of its flagship equity schemes as part of its strategic initiative to strengthen offerings and adapt to evolving investor needs in FY25. This initiative, under the campaign ‘Funds in Focus Q1FY25’, aims to integrate modern investment strategies and technology while appealing to a wider base of investors.

As of April 2025, LIC MF manages 41 schemes, which include 15 equity funds, 9 debt funds, 6 hybrid funds, 1 solution-oriented fund, and 10 ETFs, index and other passive funds. The AMC reported a robust SIP inflow and registered an 11% growth in its Assets Under Management (AUM), rising from ₹33,854 crore in March 2025 to ₹37,554 crore in April 2025.

JioBlackRock Overnight Fund opens for subscription...

JioBlackRock Mutual Fund has announced the launch of its Overnight Fund, with the New Fund Offer (NFO) open for subscription until July 2. Designed for conservative investors, this open-ended debt scheme invests in overnight securities and money market instruments with 1-day maturity, offering minimal interest rate and credit risk. It’s ideal for those looking to park funds safely for a very short duration, in line with overnight call rates.

The scheme is benchmarked against the Nifty 1D Rate Index and managed by Arun Ramachandran, Vikrant Mehta, and Siddharth Deb. The fund requires a minimum lump sum or SIP investment of ₹500, with no exit load, and is offered under direct plan growth options only. The scheme has been provisionally rated [ICRA]A1+mfs.

Eligible investors include individuals, NRIs, corporates, banks, charitable trusts, and educational institutions, among others. According to SEBI guidelines, overnight funds are a safe choice for liquidity with minimal risk. The total allocation will remain in securities maturing by the next business day, offering daily liquidity and high safety.

The fund complements JioBlackRock’s broader offerings, which also include a Liquid Fund and Money Market Fund, both also closing on July 2.

Mutual Fund Exposure To NBFCs Surges 32.5% To ₹2.77 Lakh Crore In May, Driven By Commercial Papers & Corporate Debt: CareEdge Report

New Delhi: Mutual fund exposure in non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) witnessed a significant year-on-year surge of 32.5%, reaching ₹2.77 lakh crore in May 2025, as per a recent report by CareEdge Ratings. This jump was primarily fueled by sustained investments in commercial papers (CPs) and corporate debt instruments, which have remained above ₹2 lakh crore for 14 consecutive months. This surpasses the previous highs of ₹2.69 lakh crore in April 2025 and ₹2.64 lakh crore in July 2018.

Despite this growth, the share of NBFC credit in total bank credit declined from 9.3% in May 2024 to 8.5% in May 2025, indicating a shift in credit distribution patterns.

Meanwhile, the mutual fund industry’s total assets under management (AUM) rose to ₹72.2 lakh crore in May from ₹70 lakh crore in April, with net inflows of ₹29,108 crore. Notably, 65% of the inflows came from equity mutual funds, which saw AUM rise 4.83% to ₹32.05 lakh crore, backed by continued market optimism and mark-to-market gains.

Flexi cap funds led the equity category with ₹3,841 crore in inflows for the third month in a row. Hybrid and arbitrage funds also saw robust inflows, while passive funds extended their 55-month inflow streak. Gold ETFs saw renewed interest amid geopolitical tensions and rate-cut expectations.

Master Trust Applies for SEBI Mutual Fund License to Expand Investment Offerings

Master Trust, a leading financial services group with over 40 years of experience, has formally applied to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for a mutual fund license through its flagship entity, Master Capital Services Limited. The move signifies a strategic expansion into the mutual fund space, allowing the company to act as a sponsor for an asset management company (AMC) and offer professionally managed investment products to a broader investor base.

With a robust presence in equities, commodities, derivatives, and wealth management, Master Trust plans to leverage its digital-first approach and decades of experience to deliver transparent and research-driven mutual fund schemes. The company aims to launch a diversified portfolio of schemes, including multi-cap equity and multi-asset funds, blending quantitative strategies with a bottom-up investment philosophy.

These mutual fund offerings will focus on long-term value creation, simplicity, and affordability to meet the evolving financial goals of retail and institutional investors. With a growing client base of over 4.2 lakh investors, Master Trust is well-positioned to capture opportunities in India’s ₹70 trillion mutual fund industry, which is entering a new phase of growth.

This step reinforces Master Trust’s investor-first mission and aligns with rising demand for digitally accessible and professionally managed investment products.

Master Trust Applies for SEBI Approval to Launch Mutual Fund Business

Master Trust, a prominent name in India's financial services industry, has applied to the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to establish a mutual fund business. The application, submitted through its flagship company, Master Capital Services Limited, marks a strategic expansion into the asset management space. With over four decades of industry experience and a clientele exceeding 4.2 lakh investors, Master Trust aims to offer innovative, accessible, and value-driven investment solutions.

Upon receiving regulatory approval, the company plans to launch a range of equity schemes across various market capitalisations, alongside a multi-asset fund. The proposed investment strategy will combine quantitative models with traditional bottom-up research to generate long-term value. Master Trust's digital infrastructure and extensive retail and institutional network will play a key role in driving adoption and scalability.

The move comes amid rapid growth in India's mutual fund industry, which has surpassed ₹70 lakh crore in assets under management. Master Trust’s foray into mutual funds aligns with its broader vision to meet evolving investor needs through simplicity, affordability, and consistent performance.

Axis Mutual Fund Launches Services Opportunities Fund to Tap India’s Services-Led Growth Story

Axis Mutual Fund has unveiled its latest thematic offering — the Axis Services Opportunities Fund, an open-ended equity scheme designed to harness the long-term growth potential of India’s service sector. The New Fund Offer (NFO) is currently open and will close on July 18, 2025.

The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in equities of companies that are part of the NIFTY Services Sector Index, spanning 48 service-oriented industries — from financial services, IT, and telecom to healthcare, fintech, transport, e-commerce, entertainment, and more.

Managed by a seasoned trio — Shreyash Devalkar, Sachin Relekar, and Krishnaa Narayan (for overseas investments) — the fund adopts a bottom-up stock selection approach, with a strong focus on ROCE, quality earnings, and scalable business models. It maintains a high active share and aims to deliver risk-adjusted returns by targeting capital-efficient businesses with sustainable competitive advantages.

Positioned against the backdrop of a services-led economic shift, the fund complements Axis AMC’s existing thematic range, including the Axis Consumption and Axis India Manufacturing funds.

With a minimum investment of just ₹100, this fund offers a compelling route for investors to participate in India’s evolving growth narrative through the services sector.

Warren Buffett’s 7-Point Playbook for Mutual Fund Investors: Timeless Wisdom for Long-Term Wealth

Warren Buffett may not invest in mutual funds himself, but his time-tested investment principles offer invaluable guidance for mutual fund investors navigating volatile markets. At 94, the Oracle of Omaha still champions simplicity, long-term thinking, and emotional discipline — ideals that counter the short-termism common in today's fund flows.

His seven-point investing playbook emphasizes what really matters: low costs, patience over predictions, and a calm temperament. From avoiding high-fee fund managers to letting time — not timing — do the heavy lifting, Buffett's advice aligns perfectly with successful SIP-based investing. He discourages reacting to daily NAV fluctuations, urges investors to understand their funds, and turns market corrections into buying opportunities rather than panic triggers.

Above all, Buffett’s disdain for forecasts and overanalysis reinforces one core message: investing doesn’t have to be complex to be effective. His philosophy—anchored in fundamentals rather than fads—offers a clear roadmap for Indian mutual fund investors seeking steady, long-term returns. Whether you invest in Nifty 50 index funds or diversified equity schemes, following Buffett’s rules could be your strongest ally in building real wealth over time.

JioBlackRock Raises ₹17,800 Cr in Maiden Mutual Fund NFO, Enters Top 15 Fund Houses

JioBlackRock Asset Management Private Limited, a joint venture between Jio Financial Services Limited (JFSL) and global investment firm BlackRock, has successfully concluded its maiden mutual fund offering. The New Fund Offer (NFO), which ran from June 30 to July 2, 2025, raised over ₹17,800 crore (approx. $2.1 billion) across three open-ended debt schemes: the JioBlackRock Liquid Fund, Money Market Fund, and Overnight Fund. This substantial inflow places JioBlackRock among India’s top 15 fund houses by Debt Assets Under Management (AUM), out of a total of 47 asset management companies.

The NFO witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 90 institutional players and more than 67,000 retail investors. To boost accessibility, JioBlackRock has introduced a seamless digital account setup via the JioFinance app, enabling users to invest in mutual funds within minutes. The initiative reflects the firm’s digital-first, inclusive investment approach.

Sid Swaminathan, Managing Director and CEO of JioBlackRock, hailed the response as a strong endorsement of the firm's strategy, risk management, and digital platform. JioBlackRock leverages BlackRock’s global investment acumen and Jio’s digital ecosystem to deliver transparent, data-driven investment options tailored for Indian investors.

Step-Up SIPs & Multi-Asset Funds: Why Experts Say Stay the Course in H2 2025

As H2 2025 begins, mutual fund investors—especially those using Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs)—are wondering how to navigate rising markets and short-term volatility. Experts advise against reacting emotionally to market highs or dips. Instead, they recommend sticking to long-term SIPs, stepping up contributions by 10–15% annually, and considering diversified fund categories.

Sagar Shinde, VP–Research at Fisdom, emphasizes that SIPs work best over time via rupee cost averaging. “A step-up SIP increases the final corpus by over 50% in some cases without timing the market,” he says. Chakravarthy V of Prime Wealth Finserv notes that during past corrections like 2020, investors who continued SIPs gained the most when markets rebounded.

While small-cap and mid-cap funds delivered top long-term SIP CAGR (22–26%) over 10 years, they also experienced higher drawdowns. In contrast, hybrid and multi-asset funds have offered 12–16% CAGR with lower volatility, making them ideal for conservative or new investors. With total SIP contributions hitting ₹1.31 lakh crore between Jan–May 2025, confidence remains high despite global uncertainties.

Experts recommend flexi-cap, large-cap, and focused equity funds for growth-focused investors, and hybrid or dynamic allocation funds for stability—especially with political uncertainty, inflation, and global tensions ahead.