Investor appetite for gold-backed mutual funds surged in June, with Gold Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) attracting net inflows of Rs 2,081 crore, the highest in five months, amid resilient gold prices, market volatility, and geopolitical tensions.According to data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India (Amfi), the June inflows mark a sharp jump from Rs 292 crore in May and reverse the outflow trend seen in March and April. Overall, the category has clocked over Rs 8,000 crore in net inflows in the first half of 2025, PTI reported.The strong inflows pushed the segment’s assets under management (AUM) up by nearly 4% to Rs 64,777 crore in June from Rs 62,453 crore in May.“The robust inflows in June indicate a decisive shift in sentiment, likely supported by resilient gold prices, geopolitical uncertainties, and volatility in equity and fixed income markets, which have revived gold’s appeal as a safe-haven asset,” said Nehal Meshram, Senior Analyst – Manager Research, Morningstar Investment Research India.Investor interest also reflected in rising folio counts, which rose by 2.85 lakh to 76.54 lakh in June from 73.69 lakh in May, indicating growing retail participation in the gold ETF space.Two new gold ETF schemes were launched during the month, collectively mobilising Rs 41 crore. While modest in value, Meshram said the new launches “add to the broader recovery in flows and reflect steady investor interest in the asset class.”Gold ETFs are passive investment vehicles that track domestic physical gold prices and are backed by physical gold of high purity. Each unit typically represents 1 gram of gold, offering a hybrid of gold investment safety and stock-like liquidity.
