AMC vs Mutual Funds: Key Differences for Investors

When it comes to investing, two terms that often come up are AMC and Mutual Funds. These words are closely related but not the same. In this article, we will discuss AMC vs Mutual Funds and explore the differences between the two.
What is an AMC?
AMC stands for Asset Management Company. It is a firm that manages investments on behalf of investors. These companies pool money from investors and invest in various stocks, bonds, and other assets. Here are some of the top AMCs in India:
- HDFC Asset Management Company
- SBI Mutual Fund
- ICICI Prudential AMC
- Nippon India AMC
Key Feature:
- These AMCs hire financial experts to manage the investments.
- It's conducting research and analysis.
- It's regulated by SEBI and other global financial authorities.
- They offer a wide range of investment vehicles (including mutual funds).
What is a Mutual Fund?
A mutual fund is a pool of money from multiple investors to invests in diversified ways. In simple words, you need to invest in a fund that will be diversified across different shares, which will reduce the risk and increase profitability. You can invest in assets such as stocks, bonds, or a mix of both. As each fund has its own investment objective, return potential, and risk level. The product offered by AMCs:
- Debt Mutual Funds
- Index Funds
- Equity Mutual Funds
- Hybrid Mutual Funds
- ELSS (Tax-saving funds)
Key Feature:
- This fund's performance is measured by Net Asset Value.
- Here, the investors can start with low investment amounts.
- They offer a variety of specific mutual funds such as debt, equity, index, hybrid, and sector.
- You can easily enter and exit by buying and selling the units.
Also, check: ETFs vs Mutual Funds: Understanding the Key Differences
Difference Between AMC vs Mutual Fund
Here are the differences between AMC vs Mutual Funds:
Feature | AMC | Mutual Funds |
Definition | A company that manages all investment schemes | It's an investment product offered by an AMC |
Role | Manager/ Facilitator | Investment vehicle |
Function | Manages multiple mutual fund schemes | Pools investor money for a specific scheme. |
Revenue | Earn through management fees | Investors earn through NAV appreciation |
Example | ICICI Prudential AMC | ICICI Prudential Bluechip Fund |
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding the difference between AMCs and mutual funds is crucial for any investor thinking of AMCs as the chefs and mutual funds as the dishes they prepare. So both are important, but what you invest in are the mutual funds, not the AMC itself, so we hope our blog on AMC vs Mutual funds is helpful.