Long-short funds: Assess risk before investing

SIFs use risky strategies involving short exposure via derivatives positions in equity, equity-related, debt instruments

- ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU @ New Delhi

The Securities and Exchange Board of India's new specialized investment funds (SIFs) framework has officially come to life with the quant mutual fund receiving regulatory approvals to launch the country's first long-short fund.

SEBI's introduction of SIF framework, effective from April 1, 2025, is designed to bridge the gap between traditional mutual funds and portfolio management services (PMS). SIFs are meant to offer a new, regulated category of investment that provides more flexibility and sophistication. Under this framework, a long-short equity fund must invest a minimum of 80% in equity and can have a maximum of 25% short exposure through unhedged derivative positions.

What is a long-short fund?