The Indian mutual fund industry witnessed a sharp rise in Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) discontinuations in February 2025, highlighting growing investor caution. The SIP stoppage ratio—calculated as the percentage of SIPs discontinued or tenure completed divided by new SIP registrations—rose to 122% from 109% in January 2025. This indicates that a higher number of investors chose to halt their SIP contributions rather than initiate new ones.
According to the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), while 44.56 lakh new SIP accounts were opened in February, approximately 54.70 lakh SIPs were discontinued. This led to an overall decline in active SIPs. However, it is important to note that a portion of these discontinuations—around 12-15 lakh accounts—was due to reconciliation adjustments with stock exchanges and RTAs related to 2024 data. Despite this factor, the number of contributing SIP accounts dropped from 8.34 crore in January to 8.26 crore in February, reflecting a cautious investor approach.
The increase in SIP stoppages had a direct impact on total SIP collections, which fell to ₹ 25,999 crore in February, down from ₹ 26,400 crore in January 2025. This suggests that investors are becoming more risk-averse, possibly in response to market volatility and economic uncertainties.
Adding to concerns, net inflows into equity mutual funds fell sharply to ₹ 29,303.34 crore in February 2025 from ₹ 39,688 crore in January 2025. The debt fund segment also experienced notable movement, with net outflows of ₹ 6,525.56 crore in February, a stark reversal from the ₹ 1,28,652.58 crore net inflows recorded in January. These fluctuations highlight shifting investor preferences amid changing market dynamics.
Though investor caution is evident, historical trends suggest that market resilience and long-term wealth creation through SIPs often reward disciplined investors. Whether the current trend persists or reverses will depend on broader economic factors and market developments in the months ahead.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Mutual Fund investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Mar 13, 2025, 2:16 PM IST
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