Continuing their buying spree for the sixth straight month, mutual funds pumped in close to Rs 6,000 crore (about $ 1 billion) in the equity market during October amid a market rally.
As per the latest data compiled by market regulator Sebi, Mutual Funds purchased shares worth Rs 17,483 crore last month, while they sold stocks worth Rs 11,543 crore - a net inflow of Rs 5,940 crore. This is the sixth consecutive month when mutual funds have been net purchasers in equity market.
Industry experts attributed the inflows in equities to improvement in market sentiments, primarily due to the new government's reforms agenda. Besides, retail participation in equity schemes has increased significantly in the last few months. "The money in equities started coming in from the second half of May, after the announcement of General Election's verdict, and the momentum has continued till date," said a market expert.
A mutual fund is an investment vehicle made up of a pool of funds collected from many investors. The funds are invested in stocks, bonds, money market instruments and similar assets. MFs invested a net of over Rs 4,100 crore in September, close to Rs 6,000 crore in August, Rs 5,000 crore in July, Rs 3,340 crore in June and Rs 105 crore in May.
Prior to that, they had been net sellers in the equity market since September last year. They were net buyers of shares worth Rs 1,607 crore in August 2013. The latest net inflow in the equity market is in line with the BSE index, Sensex, gaining 4.6 per cent last month.