AMC & product-related updates
Groww Mutual Fund has launched the Groww Nifty Private Bank ETF, offering passive exposure to the Nifty Private Bank Index TRI with a low entry cost and no exit load.
SBI Mutual Fund has introduced two new ETF offerings — the SBI Nifty200 Value 30 ETF and the SBI Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF. The new fund offer (NFO) for both schemes will open on May 7 and close on May 18. Both are open-ended ETFs designed to track their respective equity indices.
Silver ETFs gained over 2.5% on Wednesday, outperforming gold ETFs as silver prices surged more than 4% on MCX amid weakness in crude oil prices and the dollar index. Gold ETFs also posted gains of nearly 2%.
Regulatory & policy developments
SEBI has formed a dedicated task force to address AI-driven cyber risks in financial markets. The regulator stated that market intermediaries should begin integrating artificial intelligence into cybersecurity systems for threat detection and automated defence, while continuously reassessing related risks.
SEBI has also cautioned market participants about risks linked to AI tools such as Mythos and announced the formation of the cyber-suraksha.ai task force to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness.
In another development, SEBI has proposed expanding the scope of online bond platform providers in GIFT IFSC. The proposal would allow access to overseas-listed debt securities and tax-saving bonds.
SEBI has additionally proposed introducing early pay-in mechanisms for commodity options contracts and is considering exempting various margins except mark-to-market margins.
The regulator has also introduced a ₹20,000 crore mutual fund AUM threshold to classify significant indices, along with revised registration and review norms aimed at improving transparency and governance among index providers.
Mutual fund & distribution signals
An analysis by Cafemutual of public disclosures by non-life insurers shows that the health insurance industry paid commissions worth ₹13,300 crore between April and December 2025. Out of this, non-life insurance companies paid ₹7,190 crore in gross commissions to agents and brokers, while standalone health insurers disbursed ₹6,090 crore in distribution commissions during the same period.
Following rising concerns around SIP failures on BSE Star MF due to the discontinuation of ISIP mandates from April 1, 2026, the platform has urged mutual fund distributors to shift clients from ISIP mandates to NACH mandates.
Recent industry data shows that the mutual fund industry added 34 lakh folios in the final month of FY26. Total folios stood at 27.39 crore by the end of March 2026 compared to 27.06 crore earlier.
A report on SIP performance stated that SIPs delivered over 8% rolling returns across a majority of five-year periods in different market conditions. In India, five-year SIP returns ranged from around -11% to 46%, with average returns near 13%, compared to roughly 12% for lump-sum investing. Over a 30-year period, SIP returns remained around 12%, translating into approximately 5% real returns.
Mutual funds increased exposure to large private banks during the March 2026 quarter while reducing holdings in PSU and commodity-linked stocks. Overall holdings increased in 579 companies even as average stock prices declined 14.83%.
Markets & sectoral trends
Indian equity markets rallied strongly on May 6, 2026, with the Sensex gaining over 900 points and the Nifty moving above the 24,300 level.
The rally was supported by easing geopolitical concerns, improving global sentiment and a sharp fall in crude oil prices following reports of progress toward a possible US–Iran peace agreement.
The Indian rupee posted its strongest single-day gain in a month, appreciating 0.7% to 94.61 against the US dollar amid improved global risk sentiment and broad gains across Asian currencies.
Insurance & financial sector developments
IRDAI is considering linking insurance agent commissions more closely to sales effort and engagement levels. The regulator may tighten payouts for low-touch channels while rewarding higher-engagement distribution models amid increasing scrutiny of distribution costs.
HDFC Securities’ Head of Institutional Research, Varun Lohchab, said the brokerage is becoming more constructive on markets as risk-reward improves after sustained FII selling. He added that the firm remains positive on financials and select chemical stocks such as SRF, Neogen Chemicals and Aether Industries, while remaining cautious on auto stocks due to pressure from rising metal costs.
Corporate actions, capital flows & business developments
India’s global capability centre (GCC) ecosystem is approaching the $100 billion mark, according to the GCC Landscape Report 2026. India currently hosts 2,117 GCCs across 3,728 units, with over 500 new centres added in the last five years. Companies including Anthropic, Marriott, Lufthansa, FedEx, Medtronic and General Mills are among the recent entrants.
Aadhar Housing Finance is targeting an asset base of ₹50,000 crore by FY29, supported by demand from smaller cities. Managing Director & CEO Rishi Anand stated that stress in the company’s loan-against-property portfolio remains under control, while branch expansion will continue across emerging markets.
India remained the world’s largest recipient of remittances in 2024, receiving over $137 billion, according to the United Nations’ World Migration Report 2026.
US Ambassador Sergio Gor stated that Indian companies are planning investments worth over $20.5 billion in the United States across multiple sectors, supporting jobs and supply chain expansion.
Samsung crossed the $1 trillion valuation mark amid rising AI chip demand. The company joined TSMC in the trillion-dollar valuation club as its shares gained 11%, while South Korea’s Kospi index crossed the 7,000 mark.
NSE declared a dividend of ₹35 per share alongside its Q4 FY26 results. The exchange reported consolidated net profit of ₹2,871 crore, up 8.3% year-on-year from ₹2,650 crore in the corresponding period last year.
Source: Moneycontrol, Business Standard, CNBC TV18, Cafemutual, Financial Express
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