Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Weekly Scenario: Debt Funds Inch Up

The Indian markets continued to trade soft during the week. In the absence of any major event, global markets remained in a tight range for the week. Indian markets reacted negatively to the sharp increase in petrol prices by the oil marketing companies and higher than estimated reading of 8.66% on inflation. This coupled with continued selling by the FIIs resulted in weak markets. Markets sold off again on SBI numbers which were way below estimates. Markets rebounded on Friday on strong growth outlook provided by L&T. 

The decline in Indian equities resulted decline in one week return of equity funds. All the major categories in equity fund witnessed loss during the week ended 20 May 2011; Mid Cap Funds declined the most by 1.55%, followed by Large Cap Funds by 1.36%, Tax Savings Funds by 1.29%, Multi Cap Funds by 1.19% and Index Funds by 1.10%. 

When we look at the sectoral funds; Banking Funds declined by 3.03%, FMCG Funds by 0.53%, Pharma Funds by 0.23%, while Infotech Funds gained by 0.05%. 

Among the debt fund categories, Ultra Short Term Funds was the top gainer by 0.16%, followed by Liquid Funds, Floating Rate Income Funds - Short Term and Short Term Income Funds that climbed by 0.15%, Floating Rate Income Funds – Long Term surged 0.14%, Income Funds by 0.10% and Gilt Funds – Short Term by 0.07%. On the other hand Gilt Funds – Medium & Long Term declined by 0.05%. 

Arbitrage Funds was the only gainer among the Hybrid Funds which gained by 0.21%. On the other hand Equity Oriented Balanced Funds, Debt Oriented Balanced Funds and Monthly Income Plans declined by 0.90%, 0.41% and 0.15% respectively. Among the ETFs, Gold ETF's gained by 0.51%, while Other ETF's gained by 1.79%. 

Ultra Short Term Funds: Out of 43 funds, 9 bettered the category average. ING Treasury Advantage Fund was the top performer gaining by 0.19%. It was followed by Tata Treasury Manager Fund - RIP and JM Money Manager Fund that gained 0.18%. Mirae Asset Ultra Short Term Bond witnessed the minimum gain of 0.12% in this category. 

Liquid Funds: Out of 52 funds, 26 bettered the category average. Escorts Liquid Plan and IDFC Ultra Short Term Fund were the top performers gaining by 0.19% and 0.18% respectively. It was followed by Quantum Liquid Fund and JM High Liquidity Fund that surged up 0.17% each. Templeton India Cash Management Account witnessed the minimum gain of 0.11% in this category. 

Infotech Funds: Franklin Infotech Fund and ICICI Pru Technology Fund were the gainers by 0.66% while the rest of the schemes in this category witnessed decline. 

Arbitrage Funds: Reliance Arbitrage Advantage Fund and JM Arbitrage Advantage Fund were the top performers gaining by 0.31% and 0.28% respectively. UTI-SPrEAD Fund witnessed the minimum gain of 0.11% in this category.