EPFO invests Rs 3,174 crore in ETFs in Aug-Nov

Retirement fund body EPFO has invested Rs 3,174 crore in Exchange Trade Funds (ETFs) in nearly four months with an objective to maximise earnings, Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

"Investments in ETF started in August 2015 and a total of Rs 3,174 crore has been invested till November 30, 2015," Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha said in a written reply to the Upper House.

As per the approval of the Central Board of Trustees (CBT), the EPFO would invest only up to 5% of its total investment in ETFs during 2015-16 fiscal.

The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has estimated to receive Rs 1.2 lakh crore as incremental deposits during the current fiscal. Thus, it is likely to invest around Rs 6,000 crore in ETFs during 2015-16.

Asked whether the government wants to create a pool of funds to counter volatility, the minister replied:"The CBT (EPFO's apex decision making body) has decided to invest in ETFs only. The purpose of this investment by EPFO is for maximising its earnings on investments."