The term Assets Under Management (AUM) in mutual funds refers to the total market value of all investments managed by a mutual fund. It indicates the size and success of the fund and is a key measure of its growth and credibility. When understanding what is AUM in mutual funds, it essentially reflects investor confidence and the fund’s ability to attract capital. An increasing mutual fund AUM signals strong performance. Before investing, ensure you open Demat account to buy and hold mutual funds conveniently.
Understanding AUM in Mutual Funds
Assets Under Management (AUM) in mutual funds represent the total market value of the investments that a fund manages on behalf of its investors. It reflects the size and financial health of a fund, as well as the confidence investors have in the fund. A higher AUM in mutual funds can signify better investor inflow, stability and credibility, while a lower AUM might indicate fewer resources under management. Understanding what is AUM in mutual funds and AUM in mutual funds meaning is essential. It serves as a performance metric, allowing investors to gauge a fund's scale and potential returns. AUM in mutual funds fluctuates based on factors such as market performance and investor activity. As the value of the underlying assets in the fund grows or declines, so does the AUM. Therefore, AUM is a key indicator for evaluating a mutual fund's performance, liquidity, and expense ratio. Opening a demat account with Bajaj Broking can be a seamless way to begin investing in funds with promising AUM metrics.
How do AUM in Mutual Funds Work?
The functioning of AUM in mutual funds hinges on the market value of the underlying assets that a fund holds, such as stocks, bonds, or other securities. When the value of these assets rises, the AUM increases, signifying more resources managed by the fund. Conversely, when market performance falters or investors redeem their investments, the AUM decreases. Investors frequently monitor mutual fund AUM to assess its liquidity and fund performance, as larger AUM in mutual funds might provide more stability, but not necessarily higher returns. Fund managers play a crucial role in making investment decisions, and the dynamic nature of the AUM reflects both their strategic choices and market movements. For investors looking to understand what is AUM in mutual funds and the meaning of AUM in mutual funds, it is important to realise that it represents more than just size; it indicates how well a fund might manage resources over time, impacting both the returns and operational efficiency of the fund.
Calculation of AUM in Mutual Funds
The AUM in mutual funds represents the total value of assets managed by the fund. This value is calculated by multiplying the total units or shares held by investors with the prevailing market price per unit or share. This simple formula provides a comprehensive understanding of what is AUM in mutual funds. For example, if a mutual fund AUM consists of 100,000 shares, each valued at ₹50, the total AUM would amount to ₹5,000,000.
The AUM in mutual funds meaning extends beyond the basic formula, as it includes all investments in securities, bank deposits, and any cash reserves. Therefore, while calculating AUM, it is essential to consider these components. For investors interested in accessing mutual funds, it’s crucial to open Demat account to hold and manage these investments effectively.
Calculation of AUM in Mutual Funds
To calculate the AUM in mutual funds, use the formula:
AUM = (Total Units or Shares Held) × (Market Price Per Unit or Share)
For instance, if a fund holds 1,00,000 shares and each share is valued at ₹50, the AUM is calculated as:
AUM = 1,00,000 shares × ₹50 per share = ₹5,000,000
This approach provides a clear picture of the fund's value, offering insights into its scale and investor participation.
Importance of AUM in Mutual Funds
AUM in mutual funds is crucial for several reasons:
Economy of Scale
A higher AUM in mutual funds allows fund managers to distribute operational costs across a larger asset base, reducing individual investor expenses and increasing efficiency, benefiting long-term fund performance.
Impacts Fund Performance
While a larger mutual fund AUM can indicate stability, it doesn't always promise higher returns. Fund performance heavily relies on the expertise and strategies employed by the fund manager.
Indicator of Fund Size and Success
AUM in mutual funds serves as a snapshot of a fund’s size, popularity, and credibility. A larger AUM suggests investor trust and the fund’s overall market success and acceptance.
Liquidity
Funds with higher AUM in mutual funds generally offer better liquidity. This ensures that investors can enter or exit without significantly impacting the fund’s value, ensuring smoother transactions.
Fee Structure
Larger AUM in mutual funds often result in a more competitive fee structure. Funds can spread their expenses across a bigger asset base, potentially reducing costs for individual investors.
Market Impact
Funds with significant AUM in mutual funds can influence market trends, particularly in sectors where they hold substantial positions. This impact arises when they initiate large-scale buying or selling decisions.
Impact of High AUM in Mutual Funds
High AUM in mutual funds can influence costs, liquidity, and performance depending on the fund type. Understanding what is AUM in mutual funds helps in evaluating these impacts. While increased mutual fund AUM may reduce expenses and offer better liquidity, it doesn't guarantee higher returns. Funds with high AUM might face difficulties in identifying suitable investments without affecting market prices due to their scale. This is especially relevant for smaller markets or niche sectors.
Fund Type
| Impact of High AUM
|
Large-Cap Equity Fund
| Greater stability, but returns are not necessarily higher.
|
Small-Cap Equity Fund
| AUM fluctuations are more pronounced due to market volatility.
|
Funds Based On Asset Class
Different asset classes like equities or bonds experience varied impacts of AUM in mutual funds. For example, debt funds often benefit from higher AUM by reducing individual expenses through economies of scale. This expands the AUM in mutual funds meaning beyond simple asset size.
Funds Based On Market Capitalisation
Large-cap funds are less affected by changes in mutual fund AUM, while mid-cap and small-cap funds may face greater impacts due to increased market volatility and liquidity issues with high AUM.
Relation Between AUM and Expense Ratio
The AUM in mutual funds significantly influences the fund’s expense ratio. A larger mutual fund AUM helps fund houses lower the Total Expense Ratio (TER), as the operational costs are spread over a larger asset base. Understanding what is AUM in mutual funds is essential for investors to evaluate the TER, as higher AUM often results in reduced costs for individual investors. SEBI regulations require larger funds to maintain lower TERs, offering a cost advantage to investors.
AUM
| TER for Equity Mutual Funds
| TER for Debt Mutual Funds
|
First ₹500 crores
| 2.25%
| 2.00%
|
Next ₹250 crores
| 2.00%
| 1.75%
|
Next ₹1,250 crores
| 1.75%
| 1.50%
|
Next ₹3,000 crores
| 1.50%
| 1.35%
|
Next ₹5,000 crores
| 1.25%
| 1.25%
|
Above ₹50,000 crores
| 1.05%
| TER reduced by 0.05% for every ₹5,000 crores increase in AUM
|
Larger AUM in mutual funds allows funds to maintain lower TERs, benefiting investors. When deciding to invest, it’s essential to open Demat account for convenient transactions and safe holdings of mutual funds. Understanding the AUM in mutual funds meaning helps assess cost efficiency and fund management quality. Bajaj Broking offers mutual fund options with competitive expense ratios, depending on the AUM.
Difference Between AUM and NAV
When navigating the world of mutual funds, understanding key financial metrics is crucial for making informed investment decisions. Two important concepts to grasp are Assets Under Management (AUM) and Net Asset Value (NAV), as they provide insights into a fund's size, performance, and overall appeal to investors. Here is a table that highlights the key differences between AUM and NAV:
Metric
| AUM (Assets Under Management)
| NAV (Net Asset Value)
|
Definition
| AUM signifies the total market value of all investments managed by the fund, including stocks, bonds, cash, and other securities. It helps define what is AUM in mutual funds.
| NAV represents the per-unit value of a fund, determined by dividing its net assets (total assets minus liabilities) by the total number of outstanding shares.
|
Calculation
| Calculated by summing up the market value of all the investments held in the fund's portfolio.
| Derived using the formula: (Total Assets - Total Liabilities) / Number of Outstanding Shares or Units.
|
Variability
| AUM can fluctuate based on changes in market prices and fund inflows/outflows, making it dynamic in nature.
| NAV is typically recalculated daily to reflect market fluctuations and fund performance.
|
Indicates
| Reflects the size, growth, and attractiveness of the fund, expanding the AUM in mutual funds meaning beyond mere valuation.
| Indicates the per-share value of the fund, offering a measure of performance for investors.
|
Purpose
| Primarily used to evaluate the scale and popularity of a mutual fund, as higher mutual fund AUM can indicate investor trust.
| Helps in assessing the cost of buying or selling individual shares or units of the fund.
|
Impact of Inflows/Outflows
| Influenced by investor contributions and redemptions, which can lead to fluctuations in mutual fund AUM.
| Affected by the underlying market value of securities, with inflows and outflows indirectly impacting NAV.
|
Example
| If a fund holds assets worth ₹7 lakh, its AUM is ₹7 lakh.
| For a fund with 10 lakh units and a net asset value of ₹7 crore, the NAV would be ₹70 per unit.
|
When you invest, remember to open Demat account to securely manage your mutual funds.
Conclusion
Understanding AUM in mutual funds is essential for evaluating the performance and credibility of a fund. While a higher mutual fund AUM can suggest stability and liquidity, it doesn’t necessarily translate to better returns. Factors like the fund manager’s expertise and market conditions play crucial roles. Additionally, a lower expense ratio can be a significant benefit of larger AUM, reducing overall investment costs. Investors looking to enter the market can consider opening a demat account with Bajaj Broking to explore funds that align with their financial goals.