Share of equity mutual funds in portfolio of women investor surge to 32% in 5 years : Report

Synopsis Indian women investors are increasingly shifting from fixed deposits to equity mutual funds, with their portfolio share rising significantly. They are now building goal-mapped portfolios, embracing a more sophisticated understanding of risk, and demonstrating maturity during market downturns. AI is aiding their research, but human judgment remains key in investment decisions. The share of equity mutual funds in the portfolio of women investors have surged from 10% to 32% in the last five years, according to report “Expanding Horizons: Changing Wealth Management Behaviours of Indian Women - Qualitative Analysis of Investor Evolution Across Age and Affluence” by Equirus Wealth. The report further highlights that fixed deposits have seen their share in portfolios drop from 45% to 20% over five years. Alternatives (PMS/AIF) have grown from a negligible 3% to 7%. Also Read | Is six mutual funds too many for monthly SIP of Rs 8,500? Here’s what experts suggest Best MF to invest Looking for the best mutual funds to invest? Here are our recommendations. View Details » Five years ago, the dominant pattern among Indian women investors was familiar: fixed deposits, gold, and property—the classic ‘safety-first’ portfolio. Today, the same cohort has migrated toward allocation-led, goal-mapped portfolios that include equity mutual funds, structured debt products, AIFs, PMS, and in some cases, global equities and private markets, the report further said. While AI tools are entering the investment ecosystem, adoption among women investors remains measured. Live Events The study finds that 35–50% of women investors either do not use AI tools or use them selectively, primarily for learning, monitoring and research insights. Importantly, final portfolio decisions continue to rely on human judgement and advisor guidance rather than automated recommendations. This suggests that AI is emerging as an information and analytics layer within the investment process rather than a substitute for human decision-making. The report further said that investors are increasingly adopting “bucket thinking” — organising portfolios around life goals such as safety, growth, liquidity and legacy rather than individual products — shifting the focus from “Which product should I buy?” to “What role should this asset play in my portfolio?”, with portfolio discipline increasingly guided by allocation frameworks and rules rather than market reactions. Also Read | Sensex slips over 7% this year. Should mutual fund investors continue SIPs or hit pause? Women investors are showing increasing maturity during market cycles. As of now, 75–90% of investors hold or review their investments during market corrections rather than exiting in panic. At the same time, around 55% selectively add capital during market dips, reflecting growing conviction and a longer-term approach to investing. Women investors are also developing a more nuanced understanding of investment risk. Five years ago, risk was largely interpreted as loss of principal. Today it increasingly includes inflation erosion, failure to meet financial goals, portfolio drawdowns and recovery time, as well as governance risks within family wealth structures and this shift reflects growing financial awareness and investment sophistication across investor segments. The report also said that women investors increasingly evaluate advisors based on transparency, proactive strategy, financial education and governance support, rather than simply product access and as a result, the advisor relationship is evolving from product distribution toward strategic partnership in portfolio construction and wealth governance. Also Read | 62% women plan to invest in crypto in next 6–12 months; Bitcoin remains top entry asset: CoinSwitch “Indian women investors are becoming more informed, confident and strategic in shaping their financial futures. Over the past five years we have seen a clear shift from buying individual financial products to building structured portfolios anchored around asset allocation and long-term goals,” said Ankur Punj MD- Business Head, Equirus Wealth. Technology, including AI, is beginning to play a role in the learning and research process,” Punj further said. (Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times) If you have any mutual fund queries, message on ET Mutual Funds on Facebook/Twitter. We will get it answered by our panel of experts. 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