SIDE POCKETING IN MUTUAL FUNDS

In simple words, a Side Pocketing in Mutual Funds leads to separation of risky assets from other investments and cash holdings. The purpose is to make sure that money invested in a mutual fund, which is linked to stressed assets, gets locked, until the fund recovers the money from the company or could avoid distress selling of illiquid securities.

The modus operandi is simple. Whenever, the rating of a mutual fund decreases, the fund shifts the illiquid assets into a side pocket so that current shareholders can be benefitted from the liquid assets. Consequently, the Net Asset Value (NAV) of the fund will then reflect the actual value of

the liquid assets.

Side Pocketing is beneficial for those investors who wish to hold on to the units of the main funds for long term. Therefore, the process of Side Pocketing ensures that liquidity is not the problem even in the circumstances of frequent allotments and redemptions.

Side Pocketing is quite common internationally. However, Side Pocketing has also been resorted to bereft the investors of genuine returns.

In India recent fiasco in the Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) has led to many discussions on the concept of side pocketing as IL&FS and its subsidiaries have failed to fulfill its repayments obligations due to severe liquidity crisis.

The Mutual Funds have given negative returns because they have completely written off their exposure to IL&FS instruments.

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