Cash holdings with equity MFs soar for a 5th month

Cash levels in April surged to 7.2%, the highest since May 2021

- ABHISHEK KUMAR

Cash holding in equity mutual fund (MF) schemes went up for the fifth straight month in April as fund managers continued with a restrained approach amid global trade uncertainties. As of April 30, equity schemes from the top-20 fund houses were holding 7.2 per cent of their portfolios in cash, compared to 6.9 per cent in March, and 6.8 per cent in February, according to a report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services. The aggregate cash-holding in April was the highest at least since May 2021.

At the industry level (including all fund houses), the cash-holding was at 6.1 per cent, a report by BNP Paribas said. "Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained slightly cautious, with cash allocation in MFs rising to a multi-year high of 6.1 per cent of assets under management (AUM)," it stated.