Key Developments for Mutual Fund & Financial Product Distributors
AMC & Product-Related Updates
- Axis Mutual Fund has opened the New Fund Offer of Axis FMP Series 129, a 108-day close-ended debt scheme designed for short-term investment requirements.
The subscription period began on 18 February 2026 and will close on 23 February 2026.
Regulatory & Policy Developments
- The mutual fund expense framework has been reworked by India’s market regulator as part of a comprehensive overhaul of existing regulatory norms.
SEBI confirmed that the updated expense norms will come into force from 1 April 2026.
The changes aim to simplify expense-related rules, enhance transparency, rationalise investor costs, and clearly define charges that fund houses are permitted to levy on schemes.
Mutual Fund & Distribution Signals
- Magnum SIF from SBI Mutual Fund has topped the Systematic Investment Facility (SIF) AUM rankings.
As of December 2025, Magnum SIF managed assets of ₹1,181 crore, compared with the total industry SIF AUM of ₹1,937 crore.
Markets & Sectoral Trends
- Cigarette stocks rallied sharply, with prices rising by up to 16% following price hikes across the segment.
Godfrey Phillips India led gains within the cigarette stocks universe.
Technology, AI & Digital Infrastructure
- Google announced plans to build new fibre-optic routes between India and the United States under its America–India Connect initiative.
The project aims to improve connectivity speed, capacity, and reliability between India and global markets. - Microsoft is on track to invest $50 billion by the end of the decade, according to its Vice Chair and President Brad Smith.
- NASDAQ-listed travel technology firm MakeMyTrip announced a collaboration with OpenAI to strengthen AI-led travel discovery and convert high-intent travel queries into bookable outcomes.
Corporate Orders, Real Estate & Capital Flows
- BL Kashyap secured a ₹300 crore construction order from CRC Greens for a housing project in Greater Noida.
- Shares of Power Mech Projects rose around 5% after the company announced new orders worth ₹1,000 crore from subsidiaries of Adani Power.
- Co-living operator Truliv entered Bengaluru with a property launch in Whitefield. Truliv plans to add 4,000 co-living beds over the next two years, with a longer-term target of 15,000 beds by FY29.
- Peak XV Partners led a $25 million pre-Series C funding round in Stable Money.
The funding round also saw participation from Z47, RTP Global, and Fundamentum Partnership.
Infrastructure, Telecom & Public Policy
- The Department of Telecommunications directed Navi Mumbai International Airport to allow telecom operators to establish network infrastructure.
The airport has been designated as a public entity in accordance with the provisions of the Telecommunications Act.
Other Major Headlines
- Jefferies and JM Financial project Infosys shares could rise by up to 38%.
- FedEx committed ₹2,500 crore to develop a cargo hub at Navi Mumbai Airport.
- Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, encouraged students to build skills using AI tools, citing strong enthusiasm in India.
- The proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to trigger a new wave of European investment and job creation, according to an Airbus executive.
Source: Cafemutual, Moneycontrol, Business Standard, Financial Express, CNBC 18, LiveMint.
Disclaimer: The content shared here is meant solely to provide general awareness and educational insight for mutual fund and financial product distributors on recent industry and regulatory developments. It does not represent investment advice, solicitation, or any form of recommendation. All investments in the securities market carry inherent risks, and investors should carefully examine all relevant scheme documents before proceeding.
