Investors should view any correction as an opportunity to participate in India’s growth journey, Jatinderpal Singh, CEO, ITI Mutual Fund, tells Nesil Staney in an interview. Singh also speaks about a host of issues such as investment themes, regulatory reforms and the funds new SIF. Excerpts:
On what basis should a new investor select an SIP?
A new investor should begin with three key considerations: financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon. At ITI Mutual Fund, we encourage investors to view SIPs not as a product, but as a disciplined wealth-building tool. For those uncertain about where to start, diversified equity funds or hybrid categories provide a balanced entry point while instilling long-term investment discipline.
How are regulatory and structural reforms influencing your investment strategy?
Regulatory and structural reforms have been a cornerstone of building greater transparency, accountability and investor trust in capital markets. A particularly exciting development is the introduction of the specialised investment fund (SIF) category, which we believe can be a catalyst to greater product innovation and deeper investor participation aligned with India’s long-term growth story.
By embedding such reforms into our investment process, we are building strategies that are forward looking, disciplined, and resilient — ensuring that we remain aligned with both regulatory vision and aspirations of investors.
What is your directional call on the markets?
Equity markets are trading above long-term valuation averages, but this must be seen in the context of India’s structural growth story. Earnings visibility, policy reforms, demographics, and rising domestic participation continue to provide a strong foundation. At current levels, our directional call is constructive over the medium to long term, while we remain mindful of near-term volatility due to global and macro factors. We believe investors should view any corrections as opportunities to participate in India’s growth journey, with a disciplined focus on quality companies and sectors benefiting from domestic demand, financial deepening, and manufacturing.
Name some sectors which you believe are prospective.
Several sectors are at an inflection point. Beyond defence and manufacturing, we see renewable energy, digital infrastructure, financial services, healthcare, and logistics undergoing structural transitions. These are aligned with India’s policy priorities and consumption trends. Our investment teams continuously evaluate such sectors, identifying businesses that can scale profitably and create long-term value.
On what basis should a new investor select an SIP?
Our fund managers follow a CLEAR philosophy — consistency, long-term orientation, evaluation of quality, active risk management, and responsible investing. We do not chase momentum. Instead, we focus on companies with robust governance, scalable business models, and sustainable earnings visibility. This disciplined framework helps us navigate cycles while aiming to safeguard investor interests.
Will passive products grow more popular like in the US?
Passive products will certainly grow, but the Indian context is different. In the US, passive funds dominate due to deep and mature markets. In India, active managers still create alpha, given market opportunities and evolving sectors. We see a coexistence model emerging: passive products gaining share for cost-conscious or core allocations, while active strategies continue to deliver differentiated value in mid- and small-cap segments.