Source Mint
MUMBAI — In a historic pivot for the Indian investment landscape, January 2026 marked the first time that Gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) attracted more capital than traditional equity mutual funds. According to the latest data released by the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI), the “yellow metal” has officially moved from a peripheral hedge to a primary portfolio driver.
A Watershed Moment for Bullion
For decades, equities have been the undisputed king of monthly inflows in the Indian mutual fund industry. However, January saw a dramatic shift:
Gold ETF Inflows: Surged to ₹24,040 crore, a massive 106% increase from December’s ₹11,647 crore.
Equity Fund Inflows: Slipped for the second consecutive month, falling 14% to ₹24,028 crore.
While the margin is slim, the symbolic weight is heavy. When combined with Silver ETFs, which pulled in ₹9,463 crore, the total appetite for precious metals (over ₹33,500 crore) comfortably eclipsed the entire equity category.
Why the Shift?
Market experts attribute this “gold rush” to a “perfect storm” of geopolitical jitters and cooling equity markets.
Equity Fatigue: The benchmark Sensex and Nifty 50 both dipped by over 3% in January, while small-cap indices took a harder hit, falling more than 6%.
Stellar Returns: While stocks wobbled, gold prices touched all-time highs, crossing ₹1.67 lakh per 10 grams. The asset class delivered nearly 22% returns in January alone, reinforcing its “safe-haven” status.
Passive Preference: Investors are increasingly moving toward passive instruments. Other ETFs and index funds also saw a 50% jump in monthly inflows.
The Silver Lining: SIPs Remain Resilient
Despite the migration toward gold, the bedrock of Indian retail investing—the Systematic Investment Plan (SIP)—showed remarkable grit. Monthly SIP contributions stayed steady at ₹31,002 crore, suggesting that while “lump sum” investors are chasing gold, long-term disciplined savers are sticking to their equity goals.
“Precious metals continue to shine as a portfolio stabilizer. The January data reflects a broadly steady trend in India’s mutual fund industry despite global uncertainties,” noted Venkat Chalasani, CEO of AMFI.
Market Outlook
The surge in gold and silver has pushed the industry’s total Assets Under Management (AUM) to a record ₹81 trillion. However, some analysts warn of “FOMO” (fear of missing out), noting that chasing gold after a massive rally can be as risky as chasing small-cap stocks at their peak.
