SEBI Introduces Specialized Investment Funds

The Indian investing landscape is changing as we have a new player in the game. Over the years, mutual funds have given investors reliable investment. For personalized investment options, Indian investors' have Portfolio Management Services, or PMS. However, the problem with PMS was the high minimum investment.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has come up with a Specialized Investment Fund (SIF) to give investors an option somewhere that bridges the gap between mutual funds and PMS. Let us look at the details.

What is SIF?

SIFs are designed for investors who are more informed about the markets and are willing to take higher risks for potentially higher returns. The minimum investment in the scheme is Rs 10 lakh, and they will offer a higher degree of flexibility to the fund managers compared to mutual fund managers. SIFs can have a wider range of investment strategies - equity to debt - and everything in between.

However, this does not mean fund managers will have a completely free hand. There are some restrictions to ensure funds work within a framework and don't go too aggressive with their strategies. Here are guidelines for different instruments:

Debt Instruments: The exposure to a single issuer is capped at 20% of the total assets. However, there will be an option to increase the cap to 25% with approval from the trustees and board of directors. This restriction is intended to limit risk, ensuring that the fund remains diversified and not overly exposed to any one entity. Another exception for debt instruments: the 20% rule does not apply if the strategy invests in government securities and treasury bills.

Equity: SIFs can invest up to 15% of the company's paid-up capital with voting rights. Also, they can only invest up to 10% of their NAV in equity shares of any company. The 15% limit gives an advantage to the SIFs over traditional mutual funds, where the CAP is 10%.

REITs and InvITs: SIFs can allocate up to 20% of their assets to Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs), but they cannot have more than 10% in any single issuer. It gives a level of diversification while still allowing for targeted exposure to real estate and infrastructure sectors.

What is the need for SIFs?

Two popular investment options for investors are mutual funds and PMS. Let us look at the details of each to help you understand the gap better.

Mutual Funds

• Accessibility: Mutual funds are designed for a broad range of investors, including those with limited capital. They typically have low minimum investment requirements, making them accessible to smaller investors.
• Investment Strategy: Mutual funds follow pre-defined investment strategies outlined in their fund prospectus. While this offers diversification and professional management, it provides less flexibility for individual customization.
• Investor Profile: Due to their accessibility and regulated nature, mutual funds are often considered suitable for conservative investors or those with a lower risk appetite.

Portfolio Management Services (PMS)

• Customization: PMS offers tailored investment strategies designed to meet the specific financial goals and risk tolerance of individual investors.
• Investment Threshold: PMS typically requires a significant minimum investment, often making it inaccessible to smaller investors. This higher barrier to entry caters to high-net-worth individuals and institutional investors.
• Investor Profile: PMS is generally more suitable for sophisticated investors with a higher risk appetite and a substantial investment corpus.

To bridge the gap, the SEBI introduced SIF.

What are the advantages of SIFs?

Here are some of the advantages of SIFs:

• Access to Unique Investment Opportunities: SIFs provide access to specialized investment strategies and asset classes that may not be available through traditional investment options.
• Potential for Higher Returns: Due to their focused approach and potentially higher risk profile, SIFs offer the potential for higher returns compared to more conventional investments.
• Portfolio Diversification: SIFs can be used to diversify investment portfolios by adding exposure to uncorrelated asset classes or strategies. 
• Professional Management: SIFs are managed by experienced investment professionals with expertise in their respective areas of focus.

What are the considerations investors should take before investing in SIFs?

Here are some challenges and considerations:

• Higher Risk: SIFs often involve higher risks compared to traditional investments due to their specialized nature and focus on specific sectors or strategies.
• Limited Liquidity: Some SIF investments, such as private equity or real estate, may have limited liquidity, meaning it may be difficult to sell them quickly.
• Higher Fees: SIFs may charge higher fees compared to traditional mutual funds due to the specialized management and research required.

Before you go

SEBI’s introduction of specialized investment funds marks a significant step in the evolution of the Indian investment market. By providing access to specialized investment strategies for sophisticated investors, SIFs offer the potential for higher returns and portfolio diversification.

However, it is crucial for investors to thoroughly understand the risks and complexities involved before investing in SIFs and ensure that these investments align with their individual financial goals and risk tolerance. As the SIF landscape evolves, it is expected to play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of investment in India.