Key Updates for Mutual Fund and Financial Product Distributors
AMC and product-related updates
Sundaram Asset Management Company has announced the launch of the Sundaram India Mid Cap – GIFT, a USD-denominated offshore feeder fund.
The fund is designed to provide overseas investors access to India’s midcap segment through GIFT City’s International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), offering a streamlined route to participate in India’s mid-cap growth theme.
Mutual fund and market structure signals
- Mutual funds’ combined exposure to the top 10 IT stocks declined to ₹3.04 lakh crore as of February 13, down from ₹3.56 lakh crore at the end of January, according to data from ACE Equities. The shift implies a notional erosion of over ₹50,000 crore, reflecting continued weakness in technology stocks.
- Technology stocks have seen sharp declines so far in February:
- Infosys down 16.5%
- TCS down 14%
- HCL Technologies down 14.2%
- Tech Mahindra down 12%
- Persistent Systems and Wipro down around 10% each
- Infosys down 16.5%
- The Nifty IT index is down 14% during the period, highlighting sustained pressure in the sector.
Trade and macro developments
- India’s merchandise trade deficit widened to $34.68 billion in January, compared with $25.04 billion in December, as imports rose faster than exports.
- Goods exports declined to $36.56 billion from $38.51 billion
- Imports increased to $71.24 billion from $63.55 billion
- Goods exports declined to $36.56 billion from $38.51 billion
- Higher imports, including gold, contributed to the widening deficit.
- The Finance Ministry clarified that India does not follow a “multi-layered” income-tax structure, stating that income tax is levied only under the Income-tax Act, 1961. The government also highlighted ongoing policy initiatives including GST 2.0 reforms, insurance tax exemptions, simplified GST registration, and expanded customs digitisation measures.
Corporate developments
- Larsen & Toubro divested its stake in Nabha Power, with Torrent Power acquiring 100% ownership for ₹6,889 crore, marking a significant transaction in the power sector.
Policy, payments & listings
- NPCI has launched ‘UPI One World’, enabling foreign visitors to use UPI for payments in India. The initiative was announced at the AI Impact Summit 2026 and is aimed at improving payment accessibility for international travellers.
- India–US trade discussions are advancing, with India’s chief negotiator set to visit the United States next week to finalise the legal framework for the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA).
- The Delhi High Court dismissed a petition challenging SEBI’s approval for NSE’s proposed IPO, ruling against the plea on jurisdictional grounds and removing a legal obstacle in the exchange’s listing process.
- Indian real estate companies are preparing to raise approximately $3.3 billion through IPOs, as developers express confidence in sustained urban expansion and housing demand.
Other major headlines
- Mutual funds have turned net sellers in February, selling approximately ₹4,100 crore so far, marking the first instance of net selling in three years.
- China’s imports of Russian crude are expected to reach a fresh record in February, marking a third consecutive monthly increase.
Source: Moneycontrol, Financial Express, Economic Times, MInt
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. This update is intended to keep mutual fund and financial product distributors informed of industry and regulatory developments. It does not constitute investment advice or product recommendations. Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks; read all the related documents carefully before investing.
