From April 2025, mutual fund investors can track a new number every day-the Information Ratio (IR). With SEBI’s daily information ratio mandate, you will not only know how much a fund earns but also how consistently it outperforms its benchmark.
What is the Information Ratio?
Let’s start with a simple story. Imagine you and your friend invest ₹1,000 each. You put your money in a fixed deposit and earn ₹50. Your friend puts the same amount into a mutual fund and also earns ₹50. The returns look identical, right? But there is a small difference. You took almost no risk, while your friend took more risk in the stock market.
This is where risk-adjusted returns come in. They help us see not just how much money was made, but also how much risk was taken to make it.
The Information Ratio (IR) is a smart tool that tells us whether a mutual fund manager is adding real value after accounting for risk.
Here is the formula:
IR = (Fund’s Return – Benchmark’s Return) ÷ Tracking Error (Volatility of Excess Returns)
- Fund’s Return- This is how much money the fund actually made.
- Benchmark’s Return- This is how much the benchmark index (like Sensex or Nifty) made.
- Tracking Error- This shows how volatile the fund’s extra returns are compared to the benchmark.
So, why does it matter?
A high IR means the fund manager consistently beats the benchmark without taking wild risks. But a low IR means the fund’s performance might be unstable, even if returns look good sometimes. A negative IR? Then you should be careful – it means the fund is doing worse than the benchmark.
Why Did SEBI Make This Mandatory?
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) wants you to invest smarter, not blindly. Earlier, investors mostly relied on raw returns or occasionally looked at measures like the Sharpe ratio. These numbers showed how much money a fund earned. But they didn’t reveal the real risk behind those returns.
So, SEBI stepped in to change that. By mandating the daily disclosure of the Information Ratio (IR), SEBI ensures that investors get risk-adjusted clarity every single day. Now you can see whether a fund is beating its benchmark and how consistently it is doing so.
Moreover, this helps investors compare funds. Two funds may show the same return, but one might be taking far more risk than the other. Now you will get the clear information – you no longer have to guess.
How Does IR Help Investors?
1) Helps to Spot Consistency in Performance
When the Information Ratio is high, it shows the fund manager is skilled at beating the benchmark regularly, not just by chance.
2) Smarter Comparisons
By balancing both returns and risk, IR enables investors to compare mutual funds on equal terms. So your decisions are based on quality rather than just numbers.
3) Supports Independent Decision-Making
The Information Ratio is useful for investors who like to pick funds on their own. It shows which fund managers deliver steady returns while managing risk carefully.
4) Reduces the Risk of Wrong Choices
Some funds may look exciting with quick short-term gains. But the Information Ratio helps you spot the ones that truly perform well over time.
5) Builds Investor Confidence
A strong Information Ratio shows that the fund regularly beats its benchmark while keeping risks under control. It means the manager isn’t just lucky- they are delivering better returns in a consistent way.
How Will AMCs Report It?
SEBI has laid out a clear reporting process to make sure investors get timely information:
1) Daily Disclosure on AMC Websites
Every Asset Management Company (AMC) must publish the Information Ratio (IR) on its website. The data will also appear in the fund’s fact sheet. So you will get updated numbers whenever you want.
2) Centralized Availability via AMFI
The Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) will also host the IR data. Therefore, you can compare performance across all AMCs from one source.
3) Machine-Readable Format for Analysts
Moreover, the disclosures won’t just be in reports or PDFs. They will be provided in a downloadable, machine-readable format. Analysts and fintech platforms can track fund performance very easily.
Advantages of Daily IR Disclosure
1) Better Transparency
First, daily disclosure ensures you see exactly how a fund performs compared to its benchmark. You no longer need to wait for monthly or quarterly reports.
2) Smarter Decisions
With fresh data in hand, you can evaluate funds more accurately. So, it will be easier to pick funds that suit your risk and return goals.
3) Investor Empowerment
When you have clear, risk-adjusted information, you will feel more confident with your investments. This shift empowers you to invest wisely, not blindly.
Disadvantages of Daily IR Disclosure
1) Too Technical for Retail Investors
The concept of the Information Ratio (IR) can feel complex. Many small investors may struggle to interpret the numbers correctly.
2) Need for Financial Literacy
Because of this, many investors may end up depending too much on advisors. To truly benefit from SEBI’s rule, investors need better financial literacy so they can understand and use IR on their own.
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3) Short-Term Panic
Since IR will be published daily, investors might overreact to short-term fluctuations. Instead of focusing on long-term consistency, they may panic at small dips. This can make them confused and can lead to wrong investment decisions.
Final Words: A Step Toward Smarter Investing
SEBI’s daily information ratio mandate is a big step in the investment world. In the long run, this move can help build stronger trust between investors and the mutual fund industry. So, before you pick your next mutual fund, check the SEBI’s daily information ratio on your AMC’s website. This one number can make a big difference in your financial future.
