Equity mutual fund inflows slip 14% in October amid market turbulence

Equity mutual fund inflows contracted by nearly 14 per cent in October as market corrections weighed on investor sentiment, according to data released by the Association of Mutual Funds of India (Amfi) on Wednesday.

Net investments into equity schemes fell to ₹32,994 crore in October compared with ₹38,306 crore in September. The decline marked a reversal from September's robust performance, when inflows had surged over 31 per cent despite prevailing market uncertainties.

The equity category nevertheless extended its run of uninterrupted monthly net inflows to 60 consecutive months. Overall assets under management across equity schemes reached ₹37.14 lakh crore as of October 31, Amfi said, noting that the monthly pullback reflected ongoing market corrections rather than any structural weakness in investor demand.

Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) contributions, a favoured channel among retail investors, also contracted marginally to ₹32,160 crore from ₹32,490 crore in September. The number of active SIP accounts dipped to 10 crore from 10.06 crore in the same period. Market analysts attributed the softer monthly numbers primarily to heightened equity market volatility rather than diminished investor confidence in the long-term potential of equity investments.