Asset management companies (AMCs) are financial institutions that pool investor funds and invest them in a variety of market instruments to generate higher returns. In India, a fund is managed by a company that identifies investments in equities, bonds, loans, etc. AMC’s primary mission is to seek opportunities based on the objectives of investors and to maximize the return on investment. This article is for you if you are seeking the best AMC in India to maximize your returns.
History Of Mutual Funds Industry In India
The beginning of the Mutual Funds in India can be traced back to 1963, when the Unit Trust of India was established by an Act of Parliament. Under the regulatory and administrative oversight of RBI, UTI was established. In 1978, the Reserve Bank of India shifted the regulatory and administrative responsibility of UTI to IDBI (Industrial Development Bank of India). Unit Scheme was the first mutual fund scheme that UTI offered in India (1964). By the end of 1988, UTI had Assets Under Management totaling Rs. 6,700 Crores.
In 1987, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, etc., as well as other non-UTI categories such as General Insurance Corporation of India (GIC) and Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), entered the market and launched public sector mutual funds. The following is a list of the funds introduced by public sector banks as a result of historical progression:
- SBI Mutual Fund
- Punjab National Bank Mutual Fund
- Indian Bank Mutual Fund
- Bank of India Mutual Fund
- Bank of Baroda Mutual Fund
Private sector funds were launched in the mutual fund business beginning in 1993. Mutual Fund Regulations were enacted in India in the same year, mandating registration for all mutual funds except UTI. The Kothari Pioneer Fund was the first private sector mutual fund to be registered; it later merged with Franklin Templeton. The Mutual Fund Regulations were amended in 1996, replacing an older version.
The Unit Trust of India Act 1963 was abolished and split into two different corporations in 2003: the UTI Mutual Fund, sponsored by Punjab National Bank, State Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India, and Bank of Baroda, and the Specified Undertaking of the Unit Trust of India. This split became effective in February 2003.
What is an Asset Management Company (AMC)?
A company known as an asset management company pools the money from its clients and invests it in a range of securities and assets. Stocks, bonds, and other assets are included in these investments. The asset management company hires specialists known as fund managers to oversee the entire investment choice pertaining to the pooled assets in order to manage these funds.
Fund managers are highly skilled individuals with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the stock market and investing. They check to see if the investments are being made in line with the investors’ goals and seize appropriate investment possibilities in the constantly shifting market. Making lucrative investments is, of course, the goal of their investment.
Market risk, the state of the economy, and industrial analysis all play crucial roles in determining whether an investment will yield a profit. To maintain a low risk, the debt-fund, for instance, invests in risk-free government bonds.
Different Types of Asset Management Companies
There are numerous various shapes and arrangements for asset management businesses, including:
- A Hedge fund
- A Mutual fund
- Index Funds
- Exchange-Traded funds
- Private Equity Funds
- Others
Additionally, they make investments on behalf of a range of clients, including
- Institutional investors
- Retail investors
- Private sector
- Public sector (government organizations)
- High-net-worth clients
How Does Asset Management Company Function?
The Asset Management Company oversees the operations and investments of the mutual fund. SEBI approval is necessary for the establishment of the AMC. When an investor invests in an AMC, they are actually acquiring a portfolio of assets that the AMC is offering. After this, the fund manager is responsible for making investment decisions and determining if the investments made would be profitable for the investors.
Investors choose funds managed by well-known AMCs when selecting a fund for investment. Therefore, it is essential to examine the Asset management company market reputation.
Listed below are the actions taken by an AMC:
- Asset Allocation : The AMC invests in diverse stock and debt instruments. The AMC invests in a manner that maintains investor confidence in the AMC. The timing of investment purchases and sales is dependent on the fund manager that handles the investor’s funds.
- Research: The fund manager and his staff conduct a comprehensive market investigation to reach a conclusion and construct a diversified portfolio. This is the most crucial decision made by AMC, as it requires extensive market research and time.
- Performance evaluation: AMCs are accountable to their investors for their investment decisions. Consequently, a periodic evaluation of the fund’s performance takes into account the NAV, asset allocation, etc.
Benefits to Asset Management Companies
There are numerous advantages to pooling capital, including:
- Scalability
Economies of scale are the cost advantages that a company gains by expanding its activities. With expanded operations, operating costs per unit are reduced. For instance, asset management companies can purchase securities in greater amounts and negotiate more advantageous trading commission rates. Additionally, they can invest a substantial amount of capital in a single office, which decreases overhead expenses.
- Access to a diverse asset classes
Access to broad and diverse asset classes enables asset management companies to invest in asset classes that are inaccessible to individual investors. An AMC may, for instance, invest in multibillion-dollar infrastructure projects, such as a power plant or a bridge. The assets are typically inaccessible to individual investors due to their size.
- Specialized Expert
The term ‘specialized expertise’ alludes to the fact that asset management companies employ finance specialists with substantial experience managing investments, a skill that the majority of private investors lack. For instance, an AMC may employ individuals with expertise in specific asset classes, such as real estate, fixed income, sector-specific equities, etc.
Downsides to Asset Management Companies
Asset management companies have a number of disadvantages, including:
- Management fees
The majority of asset managers collect flat fees regardless of their performance. Consequently, the fees might become rather costly for investors over time. Fees are high to compensate for the resources and expertise necessary to operate an AMC and to generate a profit for asset managers.
- Inflexible
Asset managers can grow too large to the point that they are unwieldy and insensitive to the market’s dynamism. Occasionally, managing an excessive quantity of capital causes operational difficulties.
- Risk of underperforming
The performance of AMCs is typically measured relative to a benchmark. A benchmark is a performance comparison standard, typically in the form of a broad market index. There is a possibility that asset managers would underperform the markets, which, when coupled with the management costs discussed previously, can be extremely costly for investors.
On What Basis Should An Investor Choose An AMC?
Before investing, every AMC adheres to the investment objective of the schemes, and you must review the track record and performance history of the investment schemes during market fluctuations.
Before investing your hard-earned money, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the AMC. Ensure the following criteria are met before selecting a fund house.
- Market Reputation: It takes time, regardless of market conditions, to establish a market reputation. Consistent performance, frequent management changes, a spotless track record, etc., all contribute significantly to the organization’s reputation. As for the investors, it becomes essential to maintain track of any relevant AMC-related information. The majority of the information is available on the company’s website.
- Credibility of the Fund Manager: The AMC works in tandem with its fund manager. The performance of AMC is now the performance of the fund manager. Therefore, an investor must evaluate the fund manager’s track record in managing assets and funds.
- Pricing and Value: Prior to selecting a fund, an investor should analyze the fund’s price and the value creation and return it provides.
- Creating a Portfolio: After an analyst has conducted research and analysis and determined asset allocation, the asset manager develops a portfolio based on market results. Here, the asset manager will determine which securities to sell, purchase, or keep for a given time period. The building of a portfolio is based purely on the market skills of specialists, research and analysis, and the investor’s investment objectives.
- Commission and Fees :Few AMCs charge a fixed fee for their services, while others charge a commission on the return generated by the fund. A fixed is preferred over a commission since the investor will always know the amount of the payout in advance.
Governing Bodies for AMC’s Operations
AMC operates under the oversight of the board of directors. SEBI and AMFI govern all Asset Management Companies.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is the Indian Capital Market Regulator responsible for governing and regulating every AMC in India. Mutual fund companies created the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) as a statutory organization.
AMFI was founded with the goal of creating a financially transparent and ethically oriented financial industry. Every AMC must comply with the AMFI-led regulations.
As sponsors, banks are overseen by RBI in addition to SEBI and AMFI. RBI governs all regulatory bodies, including SEBI, AMFI, and RBI. AMC regulations are established by SEBI, AMFI, and RBI
A mutual fund business must adhere to the following rules and guidelines outlined by SEBI, AMFI, and RBI:
- The Chairman of an AMC is ineligible to serve as a Trustee of any mutual fund.
- Every AMC’s key individuals should not have committed or been convicted of any fraudulent or offensive conduct.
- AMC should not serve as a mutual fund’s Trustee.
- An AMC’s net worth must be at least 10 crores of rupees.
- Before investing in any of its schemes, the company must disclose its investment intentions in the offer paperwork.
- A quarterly report on the company’s actions and regulatory compliance must be given to the trustees.
AMC Reliability Compared to Banks
There is a common misconception that mutual fund companies are not as trustworthy as banks, and that the plans given by AMCs are not as secure as a fixed deposit. As with banks, AMCs and mutual fund companies are overseen by the Reserve Bank of India and the Ministry of Finance. Therefore, it is secure to invest with an AMC or mutual fund company.
The sponsor and trustee pick an AMC to manage the pool of funds. The AMC is overseen by trustees who are governed by SEBI and AMFI. This ensures neutrality, openness, and accountability. Therefore, one must invest to maximize their wealth and reduce their tax liability.
List of Top 10 AMC Companies In India Basis Assets Under Management (data as of June, 2022)
| AMC Companies | Total AUM |
| SBI Mutual Fund | INR 64747434.71 Lakhs |
| ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund | INR 46546815.57 Lakhs |
| HDFC Mutual Fund | INR 41530657.84 Lakhs |
| Nippon India Mutual Fund | INR 27943136.70 Lakhs |
| Axis Mutual Fund | INR 260335.18 Lakhs |
| DSP Blackrock Mutual Fund | INR 10668194.05 Lakhs |
| Kotak Mutual Fund | INR 28200166.48 Lakhs |
| TATA Mutual Fund | INR 8836742.34 Lakhs |
| Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund | INR 28152709.99 lakhs |
| L&T Mutual Fund | INR 7157050.52 Lakhs |
- SBI Mutual Fund – India’s Leading AMC
It was launched in 1987 and is wholly owned by the public sector bank SBI. In 2004, SBI divested 37% of its holdings. It is one of India’s oldest and most reputable AMCs.
Total AUM: INR 64747434.71 Lakhs
- ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund
It is one of India’s top mutual fund companies. Since its introduction in 1993, it has amassed a substantial consumer base.
Total AUM: INR 46546815.57 Lakhs
- HDFC Mutual Fund
In India, HDFC Asset management company or HDFC Mutual Fund are actively managed equity mutual funds. It is one of India’s leading asset management firms. This AMC has exhibited encouraging growth by providing encouraging services.
Total AUM: INR 41530657.84 Lakhs
- Nippon India Mutual Fund
It manages accounts, mutual funds, offshore investments, alternative investments, etc. Previously known as Reliance Asset Management Company, it is now a joint venture with Japanese Nippon Life Insurance.
Total AUM: INR 27943136.70 Lakhs
- Axis Mutual Fund
It is one of the leading AMCs, offering equity, debt, and hybrid investing structures. It is one of India’s leading mutual fund companies.
Total AUM: INR 260335.18 Lakhs
- DSP Blackrock Mutual Fund
It is one of the leading investment management companies, offering a range of equities and hybrid investment alternatives.
Total AUM: INR 10668194.05 Lakhs
- Kotak Mutual Fund
It began operations many years ago and has since amassed a large customer base. This AMC provides investors with varied needs.
Total AUM: INR 28200166.48 Lakhs
- TATA Mutual Fund
A portion of the TATA group controls the TATA mutual fund. It was introduced in 1994 with varied investment alternatives based on the financial objectives of investors.
Total AUM: INR 8836742.34 Lakhs
- Aditya Birla Sun Life Mutual Fund
It is a joint venture between an Indian company, Aditya Birla Capital Ltd., and a Canadian company, Sun Life AMC.
Total AUM: INR 28152709.99 lakhs
- L&T Mutual Fund
Since its inception in 1997, it has provided long-term risk-adjusted performance. The options available to investors range from stock to hybrid to ELSS.
Total AUM: INR 7157050.52 Lakhs
Conclusion
AMCs provide investors with a variety of investment possibilities; such organizations are known as money managers. Before investing in a Mutual Fund, it is crucial for investors to conduct thorough research. As the AMC is managed by fund managers, investors must select the top fund managers in India from the top mutual fund firms in India, who can determine the investment target, assess the market risk, and then design the investment strategy. Ensure that you choose the greatest AMC by making the proper choice.
FAQs
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What is the function of AMC?
AMC is responsible for operational, administrative, and management functions; the AMC’s brand reputation is dependent on the mutual fund schemes it manages.
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Who regulates AMC?
SEBI and the Association of Mutual Funds of India govern AMC (AMFI).
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