Specialized Investment Funds (SIFs) continued to expand their asset base in April 2026, with total assets under management (AUM) rising 13% month-on-month to Rs. 11,533 crore compared to Rs. 10,620 crore in March 2026.
Total inflows into SIF strategies stood at Rs. 1,219 crore in April, down from Rs. 1,314 crore recorded in March, reflecting a decline of about 7%. The slowdown in inflows was primarily led by weakness in hybrid strategies, even as equity long-short strategies saw a sharp pickup.
Equity strategies drive growth
Equity-oriented SIF strategies remained the key contributors to inflows during the month. Total inflows into equity strategies rose sharply by 40.7% to reach Rs. 478 crore in April, compared to Rs. 340 crore in March.
Equity long-short funds saw a significant surge in investor interest. The inflows in this category jumped to Rs. 257 crore from Rs. 93 crore in the previous month, marking a strong rebound as the market performed well in April.
Equity ex-top 100 long-short funds, however, witnessed some moderation, where the inflows declined by 10.37% to Rs. 221 crore from Rs. 247 crore last month. Interestingly, sector rotation long-short funds remained inactive, with no inflows recorded during the month.
On the AUM front, the AUM of equity strategies grew by 17.43% to Rs. 2,821.03 crore compared to Rs. 2,402 crore.
This growth is supported by both inflows and market performance. Notably, Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Funds saw a robust 20.05% rise in AUM compared to 14% in the AUM of equity long-short funds.
|
Equity strategies
|
April inflows
|
March inflows
|
Change
|
% change
|
April AUM
|
March AUM
|
Change
|
% change
|
|
Equity Long-Short Fund
|
257
|
93
|
164
|
176.53
|
1,210
|
1,060
|
150
|
14.12
|
|
Equity Ex-Top 100 Long-Short Fund
|
221
|
247
|
-26
|
-10.37
|
1,611
|
1,342
|
269
|
20.05
|
|
Sector Rotation Long-Short Fund
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
–
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
–
|
|
Total
|
478
|
340
|
138
|
40.74
|
2,821
|
2,402
|
419
|
17.43
|
Source: AMFI
Hybrid strategies see pressure
Hybrid strategies experienced a significant decline in inflows, which weighed on overall SIF inflow trends. Total inflows into hybrid strategies fell by 24% to Rs. 740 crore in April from Rs. 974 crore in March 2026.
Hybrid long-short funds remained the dominant category and attracted Rs. 651 crore but this is 22.89% less compared to the previous month.
The inflows in active asset allocator long-short funds also witnessed a decline of 31.20% to stand at Rs. 90 crore compared to 130 crore last month.
Despite the drop in inflows, hybrid strategies witnessed an 11.84% increase in AUM, which rose to Rs. 8,711.87 crore from Rs. 7,790 crore in March 2026, suggesting a mark-to-market gain in April 2026, which also coincide with the broader market movements.
|
Hybrid strategies
|
April inflows
|
March inflows
|
Change
|
% change
|
April AUM
|
March AUM
|
Change
|
% change
|
|
Active Asset Allocator Long-Short Fund
|
90
|
130
|
-41
|
-31.20
|
168
|
27
|
141
|
521.00
|
|
Hybrid Long-Short Fund
|
651
|
844
|
-193
|
-22.89
|
8,544
|
7,763
|
781
|
10.06
|
|
Total
|
740
|
974
|
-234
|
-24.00
|
8,712
|
7,790
|
922
|
11.84
|
Source: AMFI
Debt strategies yet to take off
Notably, debt-oriented SIF strategies are yet to see any movement as no scheme has been launched under this category.
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