Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund launches its maiden fund

Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund has launched a new open ended Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) namely, MOSt Shares M50 ETF. The new fund offer would remain open from 30th June, 2010 to 19th July, 2010. The minimum investment amount of the scheme is Rs 10,000. The investment objective is to seek investment return that corresponds (before fees and expenses) generally to the performance of the MOSt 50 Index (Underlying Index), subject to tracking error. The scheme will allocate 95 per cent to 100 per cent of assets in securities constituting MOSt 50 Basket with medium to high risk profile. It would further allocate up to 5 per cent of assets in debt and money market instruments and cash at call with low to medium risk profile. The scheme will be managed by Mr. Rajnish Rastogi and will be benchmarked against S&P CNX Nifty Index.

Source: http://finance.indiamart.com/cgi-bin/mutual_top_stories.cgi?news_headline=Motilal+Oswal++Mutual+Fund+launches+its+maiden+fund@

Taurus MF launches multi-exposure Taurus MIP Advantage

Taurus Mutual Fund on Tuesday announced the launch of Taurus MIP Advantage, which has incorporated multi-level exposure in major asset classes - debt, equity and gold.

"We feel it is an appropriate time to expand our product basket with a fund that will allow investors to stay invested over the long-term and benefit from a blend of the three most attractive asset class in a single portfolio. Each of these asset classes have their strengths and potential to generate good returns for investors in dynamic market conditions," Taurus MF CEO Waqar Naqvi told reporters here.

Taurus MIP Advantage will provide 65-95 per cent debt exposure, 5-25 per cent exchange traded fund gold and 0-25 per cent to equity, he said.

The funds' NFO, which opens today, will close on July 23, he said.

This fund is suitable for all market conditions as the fund managers will have flexibility to rebalance the portfolio in varying market scenarios with a potential to deliver superior risk adjusted return, Naqvi said.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/personal-finance/mutual-funds/mf-news/Taurus-MF-launches-multi-exposure-Taurus-MIP-Advantage/articleshow/6105915.cms

Direct Tax Code: Impact on mutual funds & capital gains

(Rajan Ghotgalkar is Managing Director of Principal Pnb Asset Management Company. The views expressed in this column are his own and do not represent those of his organisation or Reuters.)

Before going ahead I believe the honourable Finance Minister deserves to be complimented on the manner in which he has managed this very intricate piece of legislation whilst ensuring transparency and more importantly reacting to suggestions with an open mind in keeping with the best traditions of democratic consensus building process.

Hopefully the legislation will be able to live up to its promise to impart Indian Tax laws the much required stability which is so very important for business investment especially when we seek to import the much required foreign capital to finance infrastructure needs.

Simultaneously, there is a move away from the directive taxes which belong in the past when we were a closed and planned economy. Tax laws are not meant to push money into government coffers but only to motivate right investing behaviour.

There is no reason why the government should accept the onerous burden of assured returns as it presently does on PPF, etc. This of course is distinct from the need for affirmative action to improve the lot of the significant portion of our population which is below poverty levels.

In the absence of a social security system, it is heartening to see the government extending the EEE status to specified retirement accumulations.

The discussion paper (June 2010) has made changes which may result in a reduction in the tax base as proposed in the Direct Tax Code (August 2009) and has therefore, held in abeyance the tax rates and slabs stated in the DTC. It is expected that these will now form part of the Budget 2011-12 but may not be as liberal.

The more significant reversal has been on the Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) which in its earlier form was to say the least retrograde. It would have been a significant disincentive for setting up heavy industry which is not only capital intensive but also suffers long gestation periods.

It would have been unfeasible to invest in a gas refinery or a computer chip plant or for that matter even infrastructure projects. Thankfully the damage has been avoided and the MAT will now be computed with reference to book profits.

We also have our government employees to thank for prevailing on the powers that be to retain the perquisite taxation structure. It was very wise not to introduce the Retirement Benefits Accounts Scheme keeping in with the move to get away from managing investments.

The other significant rethink has been on the proposal to determine notional rent on a presumptive basis at the rate of 6 percent, which is nowhere even near the rental returns in many urban areas especially Mumbai.

It has also done away with the proposal to tax house property not let out. Anyway capital gains through appreciation of property are taxed and tax as proposed would have been repressive and highly discouraging for investment into house property, an important source of legitimate financing for housing development.

It is to the government's credit that, it has retained its position to do away with profit linked deductions for SEZs.

I would like to now touch upon the two significant changes proposed by the DTC.

First the taxation of mutual funds and secondly the changes in capital gains taxation whilst addressing the possible impact on the investing environment, especially FIIs.

Mutual Funds and Life Insurance companies have been called "pass through entities". Income in their hands will not be subject to Dividend Distribution Tax (DDT) nor will they pay tax on income they receive on behalf of their investors.

However, the investors will be liable to tax on "any" income which accrues to them from investment with any of the pass through entities.

It is important to clarify what the DTC means when it says "any income which accrues to them". Mutual funds can only pay dividends out of equalised and realised profits so the need to mention accruals seems out of place and needs to be remedied lest it results in chaotic accounting requirements for mutual funds and confusion for investors.

Therefore, whilst the dividend from corporates will be subjected to DDT as now, the dividends paid by Mutual funds it seems will be taxed as there seems to be no mention of DDT to be recovered by mutual funds. This also seems to hold true for debt funds as the DTC does not make any distinction between debt and equity funds.

Undoubtedly, this will place the already besieged mutual fund industry at a significant disadvantage.

On the other hand, any sum received under a life insurance policy (including any bonus) shall be exempt from tax provided it is a "pure insurance policy"; which is only if the premium payable for any of the years during the term of the policy does not exceed 5 per cent of the capital sum assured.

I would believe that in the interest of providing a level playing field to mutual funds the DTC should very clearly provide for investment income in products like ULIPs to be taxed like mutual funds. One would not expect this to prove too challenging a task.

Income under the head "Capital Gains" will be considered as income from ordinary sources in cases of all tax payers including non residents and taxed at the rate applicable to that tax payer. This includes short term capital gains which will be taxed as above without any indexation.

Long term capital gains arise on capital assets held for a period of more than one year from the end of the financial year in which they were acquired. This prevents 'double indexation benefits'.

Long term capital gains are divided into; listed equity shares or units of an equity oriented fund and; from 'other assets', which would include house property, debt instruments and units of debt oriented funds.

Long term capital gains on equity shares and units of an equity oriented fund shall be computed after allowing a deduction at a specified percentage of capital gains 'without any indexation'.

This adjusted amount will be included in the total income of the tax payer and taxed at the rate applicable. Losses can be carried forward.

The base for long term capital gains on 'other assets' will firstly be moved to 1st April 2000 (from 1st April 1981) and then subjected to indexation before being taxed at the applicable rate. The proposed Capital Gains Savings Scheme will not be introduced.

Significantly, the Discussion Paper leaves the 'Securities Transaction Tax' (STT) open to calibration to provide for the change in the taxation of capital gains as proposed in the DTC.

It is obvious that, the intention will be to make up tax lost in providing for deductions on capital gains by retaining all or part of the STT. We may have to await the Budget 2011-12 to see the actual position.

Closely associated with capital gains is the issue of FIIs when seen in conjunction with the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAA). It was realised surprisingly later that, the manner in which the DTC had sought to unilaterally override DTAAs was against the spirit of the Vienna Convention and that it would adversely impact direct investment due to the resultant uncertainty regarding the cost of doing business in India.

Therefore, between the domestic law and the relevant DTAA, the discussion paper clarifies that; the one which is more beneficial to the tax payer shall apply.

Most FIIs invest in India through companies incorporated in tax havens like Mauritius covered by DTAAs and what this simply means is that such FIIs will continue to retain both short and long term capital gains tax free because most countries where they are incorporated do not tax capital gains.

In the case of the remaining few FIIs which are not covered by DTAAs, they will be subjected to capital gains tax as described above.

The discussion paper also clarifies that FII income from buying/selling shares will be treated as capital gains and not business income. Of course it will no longer be possible for them to claim 'absence of permanent establishment in India' and avoid tax (15 percent on short term capital gains) by treating their profits as business income.

The government will benefit from higher tax through normal rates on short term capital gains.

The FIIs will also benefit from the clarified rules on the 'Test of Residence' which state that, it will be determined by the place where the board of directors make or approve decisions (although, the domestic MNCs will need to now watch out).

The taxation for FIIs has therefore, now become much easier.

However, with the advent of stringent Anti Money Laundering requirements and the need to prevent inflow of funds from 'unwanted' sources, the government has been continuously making efforts to block FIIs which cannot demonstrate transparent corporate structures e.g. SEBI requirement for greater disclosures in participatory notes.

In a step to further this effort the government has empowered the Commissioner of Income Tax to invoke the 'General Anti-Avoidance Rule' (GAAR).

Undoubtedly, differentiating between tax avoidance and tax evasion leads us down the slippery slope of litigation and extensive apprehensions were expressed on the sweeping nature of this law.

The GAAR can now be invoked only if the arrangement besides obtaining tax benefit is also; not at arms length, represents abuse of the provisions of the DTC, lacks commercial substance or is not for bona-fide business purposes. Apart from the above safeguards to avoid arbitrary application of this potentially repressive provision, the discussion paper also provides for a ‘Dispute Resolution Panel’.

It seems to be a general expectation that, the changes to the taxation of capital gains would result in volatility in equity markets during the first quarter of 2011 because many would liquidate holdings to book profits prior to the implementation of the DTC on 1st April 2011. Also that, the tax on capital gains will prove to be a disincentive for holding stocks long term leading to added churn.

In my view the fears seems exaggerated. Firstly because most FIIs have invested through entities incorporated in tax havens sheltered by DTAAs (for whom things have only got better) and for the small minority, there is enough time to reorganise their structures so that, they can take advantage of DTAAs.

And for the obstinate remaining few, all it will require is to sell and buy in the nature of a 'journal entry' which at the most will involve the cost of transacting and STT.

Irrespective of the above, it is important to appreciate that, professional investors will not take investment decisions on the incidence of tax (albeit it could be one of the subsidiary factors) but on the underlying fundamentals within stated investment objectives.

FIIs are in India (and China) mainly because they possibly provide the most favourable risk reward ratio in markets they can influence whilst deploying the surplus liquidity at their command.

As for the domestic retail investors, the zero capital gains tax has hardly encouraged them to substantially increase participation in equity markets, which have left them on the sidelines whilst they have become increasingly dominated by FII flows.

I therefore, do not foresee that, the DTC will in anyway disadvantage them because it would more than likely exempt their capital gains through deductions at lower slabs, so as to also limit the administrative burden.

However, whilst in our country which harbours extreme economic inequalities, one can hardly grudge taxing of capital gains on equity investments; it is saddening to see that, the opportunistic FIIs will continue to get away without paying tax and domestic investors will be taxed on similar heads of income.

I would believe that, domestic investors who are really here to stay in the longer term and contribute to the domestic economy, may they be retail or institutional, surely deserve an equal playing field.

We may even be well advised to retain the STT as it is and make it a permissible deduction from the capital gains tax payable in India.

-- The above article is not intended to be a financial advisory. Readers must seek specific advice from experts before making investment decisions --

Source: http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-49732920100629

Canara Robeco unveils large-cap fund

Canara Robeco Asset Management Company's open-ended equity scheme, Canara Robeco Large Cap+ Fund, has opened for subscription on Monday and will close on July 27.

The objective of this fund is to provide capital appreciation by predominantly investing in companies having large market capitalisation.

Benchmarked to BSE-100

Canara Robeco Large Cap+ Fund will invest in any of the “top 150” stocks on the basis of market capitalisation.

The performance of the scheme will be benchmarked to BSE 100.

“This fund will use the inputs of the Robeco Emerging Markets Stock Selection Model in its investment process as an idea generator,” said Mr Rajnish Narula, Chief Executive Officer, Canara Robeco Asset Management.

Novel product concept

“We believe this unique combination of using quantitative strategies as an Idea Generator along with the fundamental analysis is a novel product concept which will work well in Indian markets.”

There will be an exit load of one per cent applicable on those who exit from the fund within a year.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/06/29/stories/2010062951791100.htm

MFs fail to widen investor base despite rise in AUM

India’s mutual fund industry has faced flak for its failure to reach out to more investors in the country’s far-flung areas.

Despite the MF industry’s average assets under management (AAUM) having grossed more than Rs 8-lakh crore, its penetration among investors, especially retail investors, continues to be a cause for concern.

The industry’s AUM continues to rise, but this rise can’t be attributed to the number of investor accounts, but rather is due to rising short-term investments made by banks and corporates in income and debt funds and to stock valuations in equity mutual fund schemes.

According to the lobbying arm of mutual fund industry, Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi), there are about 4.07 crore equity folios — equity investor accounts — in the country as of May ’10. This, however, doesn’t indicate an equal number of investors since it’s common for an investor to have more than one investor account, having pumped money into more than one equity scheme.

If the latest figures are compared with those in November last year, the number of equity folios has marginally declined by about 1% from about 4.11 crore in November ’09. The equity AUM, on the other hand, has increased by 1.5% from Rs 1.92 crore in November ’09 to about Rs 1.95 crore as on May ’10.

This rise in equity AUM of the MF industry can well be linked to the rise in the market during the same period. The Nifty index, for instance, has risen by about 1.1% during this period. Similarly, the market took a pounding during the period April ’10 — May ’10, when the Nifty index declined by about 3.6%. The AUM of equity schemes also shrunk by about 3% during this period.

While many blamed heavy redemptions and profit-booking by investors on account of market volatility as a reason for the decline in the equity AUM, the fact remains that there was hardly any movement in the number of equity folios during this period. In fact, redemptions from equity schemes declined by about 33% while equity sales were up by about 9% vis-à-vis the previous month (March ’10-April ‘10), clearly reflecting the fact that the decline in equity AUM was more of a ball-game of share valuations than the change in the number of investors.

A correlation of the growth in the number of equity folios since November ’09 till date to the growth in the equity AUM during the same period also reveals a high negative correlation (0.7), indicating that the growth in the equity AUM has little to do with the growth in the number of equity investors and vice versa.

However, if one were to correlate the growth in the equity AUM with the movements in the equity market, the outcome is a highly positive correlation, close to 1, indicating a direct association of equity AUM with the valuations in the stock market.

This leads to the conclusion that even if the mutual fund industry may appear gung-ho about the rise in its assets, especially equity assets, it can’t be viewed as an indication of the rise in popularity of schemes or the number of investors.

It is clear that the mutual fund industry should shift its focus from boosting its AUM to increasing its core investor base, especially in the retail segment.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/personal-finance/mutual-funds/analysis/MFs-fail-to-widen-investor-base-despite-rise-in-AUM/articleshow/6103425.cms

Axis MF files offer document for Gold ETF

Axis Mutual Fund (MF) has planned to launch a new scheme named as Axis Gold ETF, an open ended Gold Exchange Traded Fund. The new fund offer (NFO) price for the scheme is Rs 100 per unit plus premium equivalent to the difference between the allotment price and the face value of Rs 100.

The investment objective of the scheme is to generate returns that are in line with the performance of gold.

The scheme expects to raise minimum subscription amount of Rs 2 million during the NFO period.

The minimum investment amount under is Rs 5,000 per application and multiples of Re 1 thereafter.

The scheme would allocate 90% to 100% of assets in physical gold (includes investments in gold related instruments (including derivatives related to gold) which will be made as and when SEBI permits mutual funds to invest in gold related instruments). The scheme may also invest upto 10% in money market instruments.

The scheme will be benchmarked against domestic price of physical Gold.

Anurag Mittal will manage the fund.

Source: http://www.myiris.com/newsCentre/storyShow.php?fileR=20100628152945707&dir=2010/06/28&secID=livenews

Formula MF: Think, select and then invest

The Indian mutual fund industry is at the cusp of change. Even as asset management companies (AMCs) line up new products, thousands of independent financial advisors have stopped selling MF schemes as it is no longer remunerative following the ban on entry loads. Given the absence of enough advisors, it is up to the average investor to educate himself on what is good and bad for the health of his portfolio and take steps accordingly. Here are a few suggestions:

Large portfolio

Every time a new fund offer is launched, ad blitzkrieg by fund houses underlines the importance of the fund. Despite their constant refrain that the past is not an indication of the future, some funds use historical data to back-test products to show investors how the new scheme (with the wisdom of hindsight) would beat others. Even some fund managers encourage investors to switch to the new scheme. As a result of this marketing overdrive, new fund offers do manage to draw some investments.

For an investor, every new scheme invested bloats the size of his portfolio ultimately making it too unwieldy to track investment performance. Needless to say the investors’ focus then shifts from achieving financial goals to managing portfolio statements.

The only remedy is to stick to clear goal setting and investing in funds that really cater to your investment needs. “We advise investors with a portfolio of up to Rs 10 lakh, to have a maximum of 10 schemes in their portfolio, belonging to five different AMCs. While 50-60% of the portfolio, could go to large caps, 20-30% could go to mid caps and small cap, with the balance 10-20% going to thematic schemes,” says Anil Chopra, Group CEO, Bajaj Capital.

Distributors galore

The ban on entry loads has resulted in commissions all but disappearing. As a result, there are not many distributors willing to offer you mutual funds. The only distributor left are the brokers and banks. This results into confusion at the level of advisory. If the advisor is not aware of all your investments or mutual fund holdings he may not give you a correct advice though he desires to do so.

Hence it makes sense to identify the professional advisors who are willing to take some extra effort for client’s betterment. Consolidating the fund holdings with one broker helps him understand your entire portfolio. The one with whom you consolidate all your holdings get to earn ‘trail commissions’ and such earnings work as a real incentive for such professional advisors. Remember that there are no free lunches. If you come across a good advisor be prepared to pay for his services.

Too many themes

This is particularly true in mutual fund investing. Every time a theme clicks with one fund house, others queue up similar offerings. These ‘me too’ offerings create a recurring noise and brings the investors live the most fatal emotion on Dalal Street – the feeling of being left out. This results in themes that have narrow investment universe and offering not enough freedom to fund managers. Investors going for the theme funds must know that they have to get the timing right for the entry and exit from the theme funds.

Not all investors have the necessary understanding of the themes playing out in the market. In such circumstances it makes sense to better let the fund manager to decide which particular theme he would like to play and the weight assigned to that theme. In most cases a good diversified equity fund with an established track record is better positioned to identify a theme and invest in it without compromising on the risk management parameters.

Avoid what is popular

We keep hearing about the sectors with favourable outlook. Stocks in such sectors keep going up on the back of rising investors’ interest.

Fund houses also feed the fire with sectoral or thematic offering. “Popular themes in most cases have factored in the future growth in the prices of the assets,” says Jayant Pai, vice-president of Parag Parikh Financial Advisory Services.

Most of the thematic offerings come at a time when the underlying theme has reached the peak of popularity and that is the wrong point of time to enter such themes. Natural resources and energy oriented funds were the flavour of the markets in early 2008, when the oil and commodities were at the peak prices. Those who went after these sectors found them nowhere as the prices crash. “If you understand the sector dynamics, the best time to invest in it is when nobody is interested,” adds Mr Pai. Metals, natural resources, telecom are some of the ‘out-of-fashion’ sectors that can be considered by savvy investors.

Skewed portfolio

No discipline leads to in-efficient allocation of capital and too many holdings. Also the amount invested in each of the investment may not be same. The varying performance further changes the investment weights in the portfolio. Such skewed portfolios towards funds that really do not meet your financial needs can be dangerous in the long run. Individuals must rebalance their portfolios from time to time. There is a need to sell the non-core holdings. “A good mutual fund portfolio should not have more than four schemes, of which most money should go into large cap diversified equity funds with a good track record and some allocation to a good performing mid cap fund using systematic investment plan,” says Abhinav Angirish, Managing Director, Abchlor Investment Advisors.

Lack of diversification

Diversification is a good risk management technique for investors with average understanding of the investment world. It makes sense to go for meaningful diversification. Two or more investments that have low correlation with each other, can be a good diversification. If you have heavily invested into India, you enjoy a good amount of emerging market exposure. In such circumstances exposure to developed markets with low correlation can be considered for effective diversification.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Personal-Finance/Mutual-Funds/Analysis/Formula-MF-Think-select-and-then-invest/articleshow/6099865.cms?curpg=2

Amfi set to turn into self-regulatory body

The Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi) is all set to become a self-regulatory organisation. “In a meeting held a fortnight ago, we had discussed Amfi becoming a self-regulatory organisation. The point is to not to bother the market regulator with things we can sort ourselves,” said H N Sinor, CEO, Amfi.

He added it will take some time, but will be discussed in the forthcoming board meeting. Sinor was present on the sidelines of a CII conference on mutual funds in Mumbai.

The mutual fund regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), is agreeable that Amfi mus take responsibility in its own hands by draftig a policy paper. It wantsto create a clear roadmap for the industry.

“I think Amfi should prepare the report and start the initiative rather than wait for the government or the regulator to start the work.” said Sebi chairman C B Bhave.

“We will soon start the work on the policy paper,” said Sinor “The time frame is not yet decided, the policy paper is expected to look into all elements of concern for the industry as it leapfrogs into the next decade of growth, he added.

A special Amfi committee is looking at simplifying the jargon used in the mutual fund industry. A report is likely to be submitted soon.

Amfi chairman, AP Kurian said: “Investors find key information documents and offer documents quite complex. We have simplified all the terms used in such documents and soon it will be circulated among the investors.” Recently, Amfi conducted 96 programmes covering 45 cities with 4,000 participants for investor education.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Amfi-set-to-turn-into-self-regulatory-body/638177/