Tightened Norms on Mutual Funds Investments

The markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has tightened norms on investments by mutual funds (MFs).

MF schemes can now invest only in listed debt or equity.
Valuation of securities in debt funds will now be on mark-to-market basis instead of the earlier practice of considering it on an amortisation basis.
Liquid funds can now invest a maximum of 20% of their assets in a single sector as against the current cap of 25%, and must keep aside at least a fifth of their assets in cash equivalents to meet sudden redemption pressures.

Mutual Fund: A mutual fund collects money from investors and invests the money, on their behalf, in securities (debt, equity or both). It charges a small fee for managing the money.

Liquid Funds: These are debt mutual funds that invest in securities up to a maturity of 91 days.