AIFs gain currency as fundraise tops ₹5 trn

Funds raised and commitments in AIFs have surged 30% Y-o-Y

- KHUSHBOO TIWARI

Alternative investment funds (AIFs) have crossed ₹5 trillion in terms of funds raised, while the investment commitments have surpassed ₹12 trillion for the first time as of September, according to data released by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

On a year-on-year basis, the funds raised and commitments in AIFs have surged by around 30 per cent each, with wealthy individuals embracing the investment vehicle in search of better returns. AIFs are pooled investment vehicles for the affluent, where investments are drawn in tranches, meaning that funds raised trail the commitment amount. Nearly 70 per cent of these investments are in the unlisted market, where returns can be outsized compared to traditional equity investments in the listed space.

The total investments made by the AIFs have inched closer to ₹4.5 trillion. However, real estate continues to command the highest share of investments, at ₹75,000 crore, or nearly 16.5 per cent of the total investments.