The year 2024 has been transformative for the mutual fund industry in India, with notable surges in Assets Under Management (AUM) across categories. Equity and hybrid schemes have emerged as the biggest gainers, reflecting evolving investor preferences amidst a dynamic market environment. This blog analyses key trends using data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI).
Equity Schemes: Sectoral and Thematic Funds Steal the Spotlight
Equity schemes experienced a remarkable 40% growth in AUM, from ₹22.09 lakh crore in January 2024 to ₹30.90 lakh crore in December 2024. The growth drivers were diverse, with sectoral and thematic funds leading the charge.
Top Performers in Equity Schemes
- Sectoral/Thematic Funds: Registered the highest absolute growth, with AUM surging by ₹2.08 lakh crore (79%), reflecting increased investor interest in sector-specific opportunities.
- Mid Cap Funds: Witnessed AUM growth of ₹1.16 lakh crore (41%), driven by strong performance in mid-sized companies.
- Flexi Cap Funds: Recorded an increase of ₹1.12 lakh crore (34%), highlighting the popularity of flexible investment strategies.
- Multi Cap Funds: Achieved a 60% growth in AUM, demonstrating robust performance across market capitalisation categories.
Fund Type | Jan-24 Average Net AUM (₹ in Cr) | Dec-24
Average Net AUM (₹ in Cr) |
Change
(₹ in Cr) |
Change (%) |
Sectoral/thematic fund | 2,64,040 | 4,72,462 | 2,08,422 | 78.94 |
Mid-cap fund | 2,85,309 | 4,01,252 | 1,15,943 | 40.64 |
Flexi cap fund | 3,30,432 | 4,42,761 | 1,12,329 | 33.99 |
Small cap fund | 2,39,941 | 3,32,952 | 93,011 | 38.76 |
Large & mid-cap fund | 1,90,526 | 2,73,846 | 83,320 | 43.73 |
Large-cap fund | 2,97,350 | 3,66,104 | 68,754 | 23.12 |
Multi cap fund | 1,14,237 | 1,82,231 | 67,994 | 59.52 |
Value/contra fund | 1,38,340 | 1,91,263 | 52,923 | 38.26 |
ELSS | 2,01,884 | 2,46,088 | 44,204 | 21.90 |
Focussed fund | 1,24,800 | 1,48,931 | 24,131 | 19.34 |
Dividend yield fund | 22,312 | 32,206 | 9,894 | 44.34 |
Total | 22,09,171 | 30,90,096 | 8,80,925 | 39.88 |
Hybrid Schemes: Arbitrage and Multi-Asset Funds Gain Traction
Hybrid schemes saw a 33% rise in AUM, growing from ₹7 lakh crore to ₹9.31 lakh crore in 2024. These schemes cater to investors seeking a blend of equity and debt exposure.
Highlights from Hybrid Funds
- Arbitrage Funds: Topped the list with a 46% rise in AUM, reflecting their appeal in volatile markets.
- Multi-Asset Allocation Funds: Experienced a staggering 90% growth, underscoring their ability to diversify across asset classes.
- Balanced Advantage Funds: Grew by ₹50,948 crore (21%), maintaining their steady popularity among balanced investors.
Fund Type | Jan-24
Average Net AUM (₹ in Cr) |
Dec-24
Average Net AUM (₹ in Cr) |
Change
(₹ in Cr) |
Change (%) |
Arbitrage fund | 1,62,169 | 2,36,723 | 74,554 | 45.97 |
Multi-asset allocation fund | 57,733 | 1,09,198 | 51,465 | 89.14 |
Balanced advantage fund | 2,37,369 | 2,88,317 | 50,948 | 21.46 |
Balanced/aggressive hybrid fund | 1,89,778 | 2,24,944 | 35,166 | 18.53 |
Equity savings fund | 26,936 | 43,696 | 16,760 | 62.22 |
Conservative hybrid fund | 26,318 | 28,651 | 2,333 | 8.86 |
Total | 7,00,302 | 9,31,530 | 2,31,228 | 33.02 |
Passive Funds: ETFs Dominate Growth
Passive funds also witnessed significant momentum, with AUM increasing by 29% to ₹11.33 lakh crore.
Notable Performers in Passive Funds
- Other ETFs (Equity and Bond): Saw the largest absolute increase, with AUM growing by ₹1.62 lakh crore.
- Index Funds: Gained ₹75,800 crore (38%), signalling rising interest in index-based strategies.
- Gold ETFs: Registered the highest percentage growth (46%), driven by renewed interest in gold as a hedge against volatility.
Fund Type | Jan-24 Average Net AUM
(₹ in Cr) |
Dec-24 Average Net AUM
(₹ in Cr) |
Change
(₹ in Cr) |
Change (%) |
Other ETFs | 6,22,215 | 7,84,169 | 1,61,954 | 26.03 |
Index funds | 2,01,319 | 2,77,091 | 75,772 | 37.64 |
Gold ETFs | 30,445 | 44,342 | 13,897 | 45.65 |
Overseas FoF | 23,788 | 27,085 | 3,297 | 13.86 |
Total | 8,77,766 | 11,32,688 | 2,54,922 | 29.04 |
Debt Funds: Money Market Funds Lead the Pack
Debt funds recorded a more modest 18.8% growth in AUM. Within this category, money market funds stood out, witnessing a 62% rise.
Top Performers in Debt Schemes
- Money Market Funds: Increased by ₹93,500 crore, benefiting from short-term yield opportunities.
- Liquid Funds: Grew by ₹73,900 crore (16%), remaining a preferred option for short-term investments.
- Long Duration Funds: Achieved an 88% growth, the highest in percentage terms within the debt category.
Fund Type | Jan-24 Average Net AUM
(₹ in Cr) |
Dec-24 Average Net AUM
(₹ in Cr) |
Change
(₹ in Cr) |
Change (%) |
Money market fund | 1,50,977 | 2,44,495 | 93,518 | 61.94 |
Liquid fund | 4,72,114 | 5,45,977 | 73,863 | 15.65 |
Corporate bond fund | 1,42,363 | 1,71,507 | 29,144 | 20.47 |
Ultra short-duration fund | 92,335 | 1,11,611 | 19,276 | 20.88 |
Low duration fund | 99,857 | 1,18,039 | 18,182 | 18.21 |
Gilt fund | 26,426 | 42,517 | 16,091 | 60.89 |
Short duration fund | 1,01,396 | 1,14,428 | 13,032 | 12.85 |
Long duration fund | 10,600 | 19,981 | 9,381 | 88.50 |
Dynamic bond fund | 30,995 | 35,555 | 4,560 | 14.71 |
Medium to long-duration fund | 10,383 | 11,664 | 1,281 | 12.34 |
Gilt fund with 10 yr constant duration | 4,517 | 5,071 | 554 | 12.26 |
Overnight fund | 1,00,876 | 1,00,857 | -19 | -0.02 |
Medium duration fund | 26,295 | 25,265 | -1,030 | -3.92 |
Banking and PSU fund | 80,090 | 78,244 | -1,846 | -2.30 |
Credit risk fund | 23,568 | 20,862 | -2,706 | -11.48 |
Floater fund | 56,613 | 52,065 | -4,548 | -8.03 |
Total | 14,29,404 | 16,98,140 | 2,68,736 | 18.80 |
Conclusion: What Drives Mutual Fund Growth?
The 2024 data underscores a growing appetite for specialised and diversified investment strategies among investors. Equity schemes continue to dominate, particularly sectoral and thematic funds, while hybrid and passive funds show promising growth. Debt funds, though steady, have also highlighted specific pockets of opportunity, such as money market funds.
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Disclaimer:This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
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