In July 2024, the cash holdings
across the equity mutual fund industry increased to 5.4%, up from 4.6% in June
2024. Monitoring the cash level of a mutual fund can offer valuable insights
into a fund manager's strategy and help investors make more informed decisions.
The cash level of a mutual fund
represents the proportion of its total assets held in cash or cash equivalents.
This liquidity allows fund managers to handle redemptions and invest in stocks
when market conditions are favourable. Typically, equity mutual funds maintain a
cash level of around 5%, but this can vary. The industry-wide increase in cash
levels in July was attributed to concerns over high valuations and
opportunities in new fund offerings that had yet to be fully invested.
At the individual fund level,
cash levels can differ significantly.
High Cash Holdings
1. Zerodha
MF (69.68%): Displays an exceptionally high cash level, suggesting a highly
conservative approach or a strategy to capitalize on future market
opportunities. This could reflect significant caution or preparations for a
major market shift.
2. Shriram
MF (46.26%): Also shows a very high cash holding, indicating a conservative
stance or preparation for potential market volatility. This might reflect
concerns about market valuations or an imminent strategic move.
3. Trust
MF (12.12%): This fund has a notable cash level compared to most others,
suggesting it might be preparing for market opportunities or has a cautious
investment approach.
Moderate Cash Holdings
1. Invesco
MF (16.45%): Holds a substantial amount of cash, likely reflecting a
cautious strategy or waiting for more attractive investment opportunities.
2. PPFAS
MF (10.76%): Indicates a relatively high cash level, which might be due to
elevated market valuations or upcoming new investment opportunities.
3. Helios
MF (10.89%): Demonstrates a cautious investment strategy, potentially
holding cash to manage market volatility or to prepare for future investments.
4. Quantum
MF (8.59%) and Baroda BNP Paribas (7.02%): Both show
moderate to high cash holdings, possibly reflecting strategic positioning or
concerns about current market conditions.
Typical Cash Holdings
1. Franklin
Templeton MF (5.45%), Groww MF (5.47%), HDFC MF (5.22%), ITI
MF (5.56%), JM MF (5.60%), Mahindra Manulife MF (5.93%), Nippon
India MF (5.28%), and NJ MF (5.01%): These funds maintain cash
levels close to or slightly above the industry average of around 5%, indicating
balanced strategies that align with typical market conditions.
2. DSP
MF (4.42%), ICICI Pru MF (6.62%), Motilal Oswal MF
(6.26%), and Old Bridge MF (4.68%): These funds have varying
cash levels but remain close to the average, showing a standard approach to
liquidity management.
Lower Cash Holdings
1. Mirae
MF (1.68%), Navi MF (1.28%), Kotak MF (2.99%), HSBC
MF (2.90%), LIC MF (2.84%), SBI MF (3.37%), Canara
Robeco MF (3.84%), Bandhan MF (3.59%), and 360 ONE
(1.93%): These funds have relatively low cash levels, indicating a more
aggressive investment strategy with minimal liquidity reserves.
2. Edelweiss
MF (2.98%), Taurus MF (2.79%), UTI MF (1.83%), WhiteOak
Capital MF (4.71%), and Sundaram MF (4.81%): These funds also
maintain lower cash levels, reflecting a focus on fully investing their assets
in equities.
Strategic and Tactical Use of Cash
Fund managers may adjust cash
levels strategically and tactically. Increasing cash holdings during periods of
high volatility can provide a buffer against market declines and allow for
opportunistic buying. However, maintaining high cash levels can also negatively
impact overall returns if market conditions do not align with the manager’s
expectations.
Different Approaches to Cash
Management
Fund managers have varied
approaches to managing cash:
Minimum Cash Policy: Some
managers prefer to keep cash levels minimal, focusing on deploying funds
according to the investment mandate and avoiding duplicating the investor’s
cash holdings.
Tactical Adjustments:
Others may adjust cash levels based on market cycles and trends, using cash as
a tool to navigate volatility or capitalize on market opportunities.
Investment Deployment:
Managers might also increase cash holdings if they struggle to find suitable
investments relative to inflows, often resulting in higher cash levels before
implementing restrictions on new investments (e.g., limiting lump-sum
contributions).
Implications for Investors
Typically, a cash level between
1-5% in an equity mutual fund is considered normal. A cash level between 5-10%
could indicate a tactical approach to buying on dips or managing recent high
inflows. However, prolonged periods of elevated cash levels should prompt a
review to ensure they are not negatively affecting returns.
A cash level exceeding 10% may
signal that the fund manager is concerned about high valuations and anticipates
a market correction. In such cases, investors should evaluate whether it is an
appropriate time to invest further, especially in lump sums.
Should Cash Levels Influence
Your Decision?
Examining a mutual fund's cash
level is a useful tool for understanding a fund manager's strategy and making
informed investment choices.