Gold ETFs See Record January Inflows, Outshine Equities
Gold ETFs See Record January Inflows, Outshine Equities
AMFI data shows gold and silver ETFs drawing Rs 33,503 crore in January, with gold alone at Rs 24,040 crore, topping equity mutual funds.
India's mutual fund scene kicked off 2026 with gold and silver ETFs stealing the spotlight. New data from AMFI shows January marked the strongest inflows for the precious metal ETF category in five months, led by gold. Gold ETFs alone attracted Rs 24,040 crore during the month, while the combined gold and silver ETF category drew Rs 33,503 crore, easily eclipsing equity mutual funds that pulled in Rs 24,013 crore.
This surge in metal-backed funds highlights a continued preference for safe‑haven assets as investors navigate a bumpy macro backdrop. The January numbers also contrast with December, when inflows were much lighter, underscoring a renewed appetite for diversification within the debt and equity mix.
Market watchers say the oomph in gold and silver ETFs comes as part of a broader mutual fund trend, where precious-metal exposure appears to offer a hedge against inflation and currency tailwinds. While equities remained a key pillar of portfolios, fund managers noted that metal ETFs provided ballast amid volatility in other segments.
AMFI data for January also showed equity fund inflows at a lower level compared with December, reinforcing the tale of selective rotation rather than a wholesale shift away from stocks. Investors could be allocating more to tangible assets in a climate of rate expectations and global uncertainty, even as equity funds still collected sizable sums overall.
Overall, the January picture paints a cautiously optimistic start to the year for India's mutual funds, with precious metals leading the charge and equities continuing to draw interest in a more measured fashion.
