Investors prefer equities despite market volatility

Gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) continue to lose steam, with investors pulling out ₹280 crore during the April-November period of the current fiscal, preferring to invest in equities despite volatile markets.

In comparison, 14 gold-linked ETFs had witnessed a withdrawal of ₹511 crore in the first eight months of 2017-18, latest data from industry body Amfi showed.

Reduction in AUM

The outflow reduced assets under management (AUMs) of gold funds by 11% to ₹4,385 crore at the end of November, from ₹4,922 crore a year ago. Gold ETF trading has been tepid during the past five financial years. It saw an outflow of ₹835 crore in 2017-18, ₹775 crore in 2016-17, ₹903 crore in 2015-16, ₹1,475 crore in 2014-15 and ₹2,293 crore in 2013-14.

However, the segment had witnessed an infusion of ₹1,414 crore in 2012-13.

Industry experts said positive returns given by the equity market have resulted in Indian investors largely staying away from gold ETFs. In fact, redemptions have been seen in the past five years.

They said Indian investors have traditionally preferred to hold gold in physical form, rather than ETFs which are actually a better form of holding from an investor’s perspective.

On the other hand, equity and equity-linked savings schemes saw an infusion of over ₹82,200 crore in the April-November period of 2018-19 despite volatile equity markets.