Equity mutual fund inflows surge 81% to Rs 42,673 crore in July: ICRA Analytics

Inflows into equity mutual funds rose 81.06% month-on-month, climbing from Rs 23,568 crore in June to Rs 42,673 crore in July. On a year-on-year basis, inflows were up 15.08% from Rs 37,082 crore in July 2024. Notably, they have surged from an outflow of Rs 3,845 crore in July 2020 to an inflow of Rs 42,673 crore in July 2025.

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Market volatility notwithstanding, equity mutual funds continue to maintain their sheen, with retail investors steadily allocating money into these schemes to build long-term wealth. The net AUM (assets under management) of equity mutual funds surged 335.31% to Rs 33.32 lakh crore in July 2025, up from Rs 7.65 lakh crore in July 2020.
“Inflows into equity mutual funds have witnessed a sharp rise in recent years as investors increasingly adopt a long-term perspective, recognizing that short-term market fluctuations are part of the journey toward wealth creation. Historical data shows that markets tend to recover and reward patient investors over time,” said Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head–Market Data, ICRA Analytics.

Sectoral/thematic funds drew the highest inflows at Rs 9,426.03 crore, as retail investors sought new growth opportunities and avenues to generate alpha. Flexi-cap funds and small-cap funds followed with inflows of Rs 7,654.33 crore and Rs 6,484.43 crore, respectively, reflecting a preference for diversified allocation and higher-return potential.

“Despite global uncertainties, domestic investors remain optimistic about India’s economic trajectory. This confidence has translated into sustained inflows into equity MFs, even during periods of high volatility,” Kumar added.
Equity mutual funds have consistently outperformed traditional savings avenues like fixed deposits, particularly in the medium to long term. Even during volatile phases, three-year returns have stayed positive, making them attractive to young investors.
Systematic Investment Plans (SIPs) have emerged as a popular tool to navigate volatility, enabling investors to put in a fixed amount regularly and benefit from rupee cost averaging– buying more units when prices are low and fewer when they are high. This disciplined approach helps reduce the emotional impact of market swings.
“Interestingly, while market returns influence MF inflows, the entry and exit of investors also contribute to volatility. Large-scale redemptions or inflows can amplify price movements, especially in mid- and small-cap segments,” Kumar noted.

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“During periods of heightened volatility, retail investors often react emotionally, leading to panic selling or abrupt withdrawals. This behaviour can temporarily depress inflows, but SIPs and long-term investors tend to stay invested, cushioning the impact. The growing popularity of SIPs and improved financial literacy have helped investors navigate volatility more rationally, maintaining steady inflows even during downturns,” Kumar pointed out.

Source: MFI360Explorer

Moreover, mutual funds offer a wide range of schemes suited to different risk appetites—from large-cap and balanced funds to sectoral and thematic funds. This flexibility enables investors to diversify their portfolios and manage risk more effectively.