Women investors in India are shifting toward equity-linked investments, with equity mutual funds accounting for a larger share of their portfolios. A new wealth management report shows a clear decline in fixed deposit allocations as women increasingly favor market-linked products.
A study by Equirus Wealth shows equity mutual funds forming 32% of women’s investment portfolios, up from about 10% five years ago.
The report analyzed data from nearly 55,000 women investors and insights from more than 100 relationship managers. The findings indicate growing participation of women in market-based investments and stronger confidence in equities for long-term wealth creation.
Financial advisors say improved financial literacy, easier access to digital investment platforms, and rising workforce participation are encouraging women to diversify beyond traditional savings instruments.
At the same time, fixed deposits have lost dominance in women’s portfolios. Their share has dropped from 45% earlier to around 20%, according to the report.
Experts attribute the shift to lower returns from traditional instruments and increasing awareness about inflation-adjusted returns. Investors are moving funds to products that offer higher growth potential over the long term.
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The report highlights a rise in allocations to alternative investment products. Investments in Portfolio Management Services (PMS) and Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) increased from about 3% to nearly 7% in recent years.
The study also notes disciplined behaviour among women investors during market volatility. Between 75% and 90% of investors maintain their investment holdings during periods of market downturns.
About 55% of female investors use market downturns as an opportunity to increase their portfolio holdings because this strategy helps them build their investment portfolio over time.
Experts believe that the data demonstrates a complete transformation of women's financial management methods. Women investors today prefer to build their investment portfolios through multiple asset classes that will generate long-term financial growth instead of depending on fixed-income securities.