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Latest Market Highlights
Quick updates, market watchlists, and timely learning links from RaiFinServ.
Large, mid and small cap mutual funds see rising inflows in February. Is the shift back to equities underway?
Manish Kothari, CEO & Co-founder, ZFunds told ETMutualFunds that equity mutual fund inflows rose for the first time in three months in February, with a notable sharp pickup specifically in mid-cap and small-cap categories and since it's not an exponential rise we cannot call it a preference shift, it is in line with a rotating market cycle.
Not 9% but Nifty has crashed by 24% notionally in 18 months: Is this one of the biggest falls the best time to buy stocks or do averaging?
Manish Kothari, co-founder and CEO, ZFunds, says the current fall is a stress-driven correction, not a crash. “Nifty is down but economic fundamentals look healthy now. However, we will have to watch out for the crude oil prices and recovery, and correction might take some time.”
Jio BlackRock changes tack, reaches out to mutual fund distributors
“Younger investors prefer tech-led platforms, while wealthier investors need advice. While small amounts can be invested directly, larger sums typically require guidance,” said Manish Kothari, co-founder at Sebi-registered mutual fund distributor ZFunds.
How sharp STT hike will impact your returns from arbitrage funds, SIFs
In Budget 2026, the STT on futures was raised from 0.02% to 0.05%. The tax on option premiums was increased from 0.10% to 0.15%, while the STT on option exercise was also raised from 0.125% to 0.15%, making derivatives trading costlier across the board.
Budget 2026 Overhauls Buyback Tax: Capital Gains For Shareholders, Higher Levy On Promoters
Under the new framework, proceeds from share buybacks will be taxed as capital gains for all categories of shareholders, replacing the earlier treatment of buybacks as dividend income.
Derivatives trading to get costlier: STT on options premium raised to 0.15%
In her Budget speech on Sunday, February 1, Nirmala Sitharaman proposed a hike in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on the derivatives segment, signalling the government’s intent to rein in excessive speculative trading.
Budget 2026 expectations: How tax rules changing investor behaviour
As Budget 2026 approaches, household investors are not looking for dramatic tax cuts or new exemptions. What they want instead is clarity, tax rules that allow them to invest according to their risk profile.
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JioBlackRock Sector Rotation Fund is open for subscription. Should you invest?
Manish Kothari, CEO of ZFunds, told ETMutualFunds that sector rotation funds are actively managed equity funds that shift investments between sectors such as IT, banking, FMCG, or healthcare based on which sectors are expected to perform better in the current economic cycle.
How to invest Rs 5 lakh for 1, 3, 5 and 10 years to maximise returns and save tax
ET Wealth Online spoke to financial experts to figure out the best ways to invest that Rs 5 lakh over 3, 5 and 10 years. The experts shared insights on the financial products best suited for these time frames, how to allocate your assets, what returns to expect and the strategies for saving on taxes.
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Will Budget 2026 simplify tax rules for investors?
Experts say the way investments are taxed plays a big role in how people save their money. Complicated rules and multiple taxes often discourage long-term investing.
Which mutual fund categories caught investors’ attention in 2025
This analysis is not focused on returns or performance. Instead, it examines the distinct factors that made certain mutual fund categories stand out during the year.
Retail Investors Turn Net Sellers In Direct Equities After 5 Years As Money Shifts To Mutual Funds
Data from the NSE annual report shows retail investors recorded net outflows of Rs 8,461 crore in direct equities in 2025 (as of Dec. 19), reversing the steady inflows seen since 2020.
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Rising medical costs? Here’s how people with disabilities can build a strong financial safety net
People with disabilities often navigate a financial landscape that looks very different from that of able-bodied individuals, says Manish Kothari, Co-Founder and CEO of ZFunds. The most fundamental difference is cost structure. “A large part of their expenses is inelastic,” he explains.
Sectoral and thematic funds: Are they worth it for retail investors?
Typically, retail investors enter these segments when a sector has already performed well. However, instead of focusing narrowly on themes, it’s important to remember that opportunities exist across small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap spaces; every sector has its own growth cycle.
Child vs regular mutual funds: Lock-in, tax rules, exit load explained
Investing for a child’s future especially long-term goals like higher education is a top financial priority for most parents. Child mutual funds are often marketed as the ideal solution for goal-based investing with the promise of disciplined savings and long-term growth.
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How to tidy up your mutual fund portfolio and boost returns this Diwali
The Diwali season serves as a timely reminder for investors to declutter their mutual fund portfolios, especially after chasing high-flying themes in a momentum-driven market.
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NFO Insight: Can Groww Multi Asset Allocation Fund add value to your mutual fund portfolio?
The fund is an open-ended scheme investing in Equity, Debt, Commodities and in units of REITs & InvITs.
All about mutual fund distributors and their role in helping investors
A recent survey by ZFunds, which covered more than 500 distributors across 100 cities, highlights how this profession is evolving, particularly with the entry of millennials.
Can AI manage your investment portfolio?
AI is rapidly changing how we invest. From portfolio tracking to fund recommendations, it's already doing the heavy lifting. But can it take full charge of your investments, and, should it?
ZFunds Founders Summit 2025: Industry Leaders Urge MFDs to be Future Ready
New-Age Investors Need New-Age MFDs: Radhika Gupta, Aashish Sommaiyaa at ZFunds Founders Summit 2025
SIP closures reveal divergent trends among B30 direct, regular investors
In smaller towns and rural areas, referred to as B-30 in mutual fund (MF) terminology, SIP closures in direct plans were 2.6 times higher than in regular plans
MFs woo investors with thematic funds, assets jump 42% in 5 months
Manish Kothari, Co-founder & CEO, ZFunds, said thematic funds offer investors an opportunity to invest in emerging industries with potential for high growth.
ZFunds CX Strategy Redefines Wealthtech Engagement
When it comes to wealthtech, trust is non-negotiable. Customers don’t just interact with an app—they trust it with their financial goals. Therefore, timely communication plays a pivotal role.
Fintech AMCs: Groww, Navi, Zerodha diversify revenue with asset management
“Investors look for trust and that gets built by large AUMs or strong distribution. Fintechs will need to build that trust which will take time, or they will have to innovate on distribution and products,” said Manish Kothari, cofounder, ZFunds.
ULIPs, mutual funds or stocks: What's the best for long-term wealth creation?
Mutual funds, ULIPs, and stocks offer different paths to wealth.
Nifty Bank surges 10% in 1 month to hit 52-week high level. Time to shift focus towards banking sector?
The Nifty Bank index has surged nearly 10% in a month, reaching a 52-week high, prompting experts to suggest considering Nifty Bank index funds and ETFs for diversified exposure.
ZFunds gets ₹25 crore in seed funding
Launched in 2019, ZFunds aims to enhance mutual fund investing experience and outcomes for investors by empowering distributors with the right technology and tools.
Wealthtech startup ZFunds raises Rs 25 Cr led by Elevation Capital
The Gurugram-based company claims to serve around 60,000 customers through more than 10,000 agents.
Wealthtech Platform ZFunds Bags INR 25 Cr To Boost Its Tech Stack
The company is looking to deploy the funds into training facilities, technological development, and ramping up its operations
'The RIA model is at a nascent stage in the country and is still evolving'
In an interview with Business Today, Manish Kothari, Co-Founder and CEO of ZFunds, shares his insights on this promising transformation and explains how mutual fund adoption.
In Moneycontrol MF Summit
Mutual Funds are simple products made complex with disclaimers
Meet the national distributor who created over 3000 new MFDs in real Bharat
ZFunds has over 3500 sub distributors in small towns and rural India.
Roti, Kapda, Makaan, SIP: The ZFunds Story
“It’s no longer just roti, kapda, aur makaan - it’s roti, kapda, makaan, aur SIP,” remarks Manish, co-founder of ZFunds, highlighting how deeply mutual funds have become embedded in Indians’ financial planning.
ZFunds secures Rs 25 crore from Elevation Capital, PB Fintech’s Yashish Dahiya
The startup powers offline agents to sell mutual fund products to last-mile Indians and help them compete with new-generation wealth startups which sell mutual fund products directly.
Startups and VCs race to digitize India's growing army of mutual fund distributors
Companies like AssetPlus, ZFunds and Wealthy are building digital tools that streamline operations for MFDs, which help investors choose, buy, and manage mutual fund schemes, while earning a commission from the fund houses.