Page 17 - Banking Finance June 2025

MUTUAL FUND

Feeder - Franklin U.S. Opportunities Nifty200 Quality 30 Index ment, making it suitable for disciplined
Fund - with effect from June 30, 2025. investors with long-term goals.
The European Opportunities Fund will Scheme
be merged into the U.S. Opportunities SBI Mutual Fund has launched a new SIP Inflows Hit 2025 High
Fund, which will continue as the surviv- passive investment product, the SBI
ing scheme. Nifty200 Quality 30 Index Fund, aimed at Rs 26,632 Crore Despite
at investors seeking long-term wealth Market Volatility
The fund house communicated the
creation through quality stocks. The
change to unitholders through a no- Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) in-
tice-cum-addendum. The decision open-ended scheme will replicate the flows reached a new high for 2025 in
Nifty200 Quality 30 Index, which se-
comes in light of a weak European April, rising to Rs 26,632 crore, accord-
lects top 30 companies based on finan-
macroeconomic landscape and global ing to data released by ICRA Analytics.
cial strength, profitability, and growth
developments impacting European-fo- This marks an increase of Rs 232 crore
consistency.
cused funds. from January's Rs 26,400 crore and a
The new fund offer (NFO) is open for 2.72% month-on-month rise from Rs
"Pursuant to the global landscape for subscription and will close on May 29, 25,926 crore in March. The data high-
European funds and sluggish European 2025. Nand Kishore, MD & CEO of SBI lights retail investors' growing confi-
macroeconomic factors, and in the in- Funds Management, said, "The fund dence and disciplined investment ap-
terest of unitholders, Franklin India enables investors to invest in quality proach, even amid persistent market
Feeder - Templeton European Oppor- companies passively for long-term volatility.
tunities Fund shall be merged with wealth creation." The scheme will al- ICRA noted that investors view down-
Franklin India Feeder - Franklin U.S. Op- locate 95-100% of its assets to stocks turns as an opportunity, with consis-
portunities Fund effective June 30, in the index and up to 5% in govern- tent SIP contributions reflecting long-
2025," the fund house said. The ment securities and liquid instruments. term wealth creation strategies. SIPs
scheme name of the surviving fund is The minimum investment is Rs 5,000, help average the purchase cost of
also set to change post-merger to re- with options for systematic investment mutual fund units over time, reducing
flect the realignment. plans (SIPs) across multiple frequen- market risk.
cies. The fund's strategy combines The surge in April is seen as a strong
SBI Mutual Fund Launches quality investing with passive manage- indicator of investor resilience and com-

mitment to financial goals. The trend
LIC Mutual Fund Reintroduces Five Flagship Equity suggests an increasing awareness
among investors of the benefits of regu-
Schemes lar investments and rupee-cost averag-
LIC Mutual Fund has relaunched five of its flagship equity schemes to ex- ing, underscoring SIPs as a key driver in
pand its offerings and attract a new generation of investors. The reintro- retail mutual fund participation.
duced funds are LIC MF Value Fund, LIC MF Small Cap Fund, LIC MF Multi-
Asset Allocation Fund, LIC MF Dividend Yield Fund, and LIC MF Focused Fund. Baroda BNP Paribas Laun-

The initiative, under the 'Funds in Focus Q1FY25' drive, aligns with the fund ches Income Plus Arbi-
house's strategy to strengthen growth potential using enhanced technolo- trage Active Fund of Funds
gies and evolving strategies. As of April 2025, LIC Mutual Fund manages 41
Baroda BNP Paribas Asset Manage-
schemes across equity, debt, hybrid, solution-oriented, and ETF/index fund
ment has introduced the Baroda BNP
categories. Its AUM increased by 11% from Rs 33,854 crore in March to Rs
37,554 crore in April 2025. Paribas Income Plus Arbitrage Active
Fund of Fund (FoF), designed for con-
"These schemes align with diverse investor goals and offer long-term wealth- servative investors seeking a balance
building potential," said Yogesh Patil, Chief Investment Officer - Equity. The between capital appreciation and
reintroduction aims to cater to both new and young investors amid chang- regular income. The new fund offer
ing market dynamics. (NFO) is open until May 21.

BANKING FINANCE | JUNE | 2025 | 15