AMC & product-related updates
HDFC Asset Management Company has opened the New Fund Offer of HDFC Income Plus Arbitrage Omni FOF from February 27, 2026. The scheme aims to provide exposure to a combination of domestic arbitrage strategies and debt-oriented funds.
In the insurance-linked investment space, Tata AIA Life Insurance has launched the Tata AIA Global Equity Fund under its ULIP platform. The NFO will remain open from February 26 to March 5, 2026. The fund offers global equity exposure within a unit-linked framework and carries a high-risk profile, with a three-year lock-in period.
The Securities and Exchange Board of India has introduced wide-ranging reforms for the ₹81 lakh crore mutual fund industry. The regulatory overhaul includes the removal of solution-oriented schemes in their current form, introduction of life cycle funds, enhanced flexibility to invest in gold, silver and InvITs, and measures to reduce portfolio overlap. The stated objective is to ensure stronger alignment between scheme labels and underlying portfolios.
Regulatory & policy developments
NSE IX has renewed its request for SEBI to finalise guidelines permitting direct listing of Indian companies on exchanges located in GIFT IFSC. According to NSE IX leadership, regulatory approval remains pending, and clarity on the framework is awaited by market participants.
NSE Managing Director and CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan has suggested the introduction of minimum eligibility criteria for participation in the futures and options segment. He indicated that further regulatory measures could be considered if retail speculation continues at elevated levels.
India’s fiscal deficit for the April–January period stood at 63% of the FY26 target
Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal signalled that the India–US trade agreement could be recalibrated if circumstances change, hinting at flexibility in future negotiations.
Mutual fund & distribution signals
Recent market volatility has weighed on investor sentiment, with benchmark indices recording their third-worst weekly fall of 2026. The Nifty 50 has slipped below its 200-day moving average, and all gains recorded after the Union Budget 2026 have been erased. The Nifty IT index has witnessed a sharp correction through February, reflecting pressure in the technology segment.
The World Gold Council’s leadership noted that institutional participation and stronger market infrastructure are expected to drive India’s gold demand in the coming years.
Technology, AI & digital infrastructure
The government is working toward scaling its AI infrastructure capacity to 200,000 GPUs under the national AI Mission. At present, around 38,000 GPUs are operational and rented to data centres, with expansion aimed at strengthening domestic computational capacity.
Jio Financial Services has launched an AI-enabled JioFinance application, introducing an early-access feature branded as ‘Finsider’ as part of its digital financial services expansion.
NTT Data is reportedly planning to hire 5,000 employees in India in 2026, supported by a doubling in $100 million-plus IT contracts over the past year. The company is also accelerating a $1.5 billion data centre expansion to cater to rising AI and digital infrastructure demand.
C&I renewable energy capacity is projected to reach 57 GW by FY28, driven by open access frameworks and favourable tariff dynamics.
Corporate actions, capital flows & business developments
Bharat Biotech is said to be evaluating a potential $500 million initial public offering. Discussions are ongoing, and the size and timeline of the issue may evolve.
Coal India has outlined plans for a ₹50,000 crore investment into coal-to-chemicals initiatives.
Source: Livemint, Moneycontrol, CNBC TV18, Financial Express
Disclaimer: The content shared above is intended solely for general awareness and educational purposes for mutual fund and financial product distributors. It does not constitute investment advice, solicitation, or a recommendation of any kind. Investments in securities markets are subject to market risks, and distributors and investors should review all relevant scheme-related documents carefully before taking any investment decision.
