Investors are concerned about the change in ownership and whether it is linked to the current global crisis and Merrill Lynch's financial woes. It is not. This fund house remains as appealing as ever. DSP Merrill Lynch Asset Management (India) Limited was a joint venture between DSP Merrill Lynch Limited and Merrill Lynch Asset Management L.P. In 2006, the asset management business of Merrill Lynch (Merrill Lynch Investment Managers) was combined with BlackRock. The stake (40%) held by DSP Merrill Lynch Limited in DSP Merrill Lynch Fund Managers Limited, is to be transferred to BlackRock while the balance would continue to be held by the DSP Group (60%). Consequent to the transfer, DSP Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund will be renamed "DSP BlackRock Mutual Fund".
Despite the change in ownership, there is no indication of a shift in strategy - and that's good for investors. Neither is there any change in the fund management team. In fact, this fund house is known to retain its talent, a trait also visible in Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund.
Unlike other fund houses that swelled their assets through a flurry of new fund launches, DSP Merrill Lynch always preferred to stay on the sidelines. But in the last two years, there has been substantial activity on this front. There have been 'institutional option' launches in four equity schemes and four new funds - DSPML Small and Mid Cap, DSPML Micro Cap, DSPML World Gold Fund and DSPML Natural Resources and New Energy.
Over the years, DSP Merrill Lynch has developed into a full range open-ended fund family and one of the better players. Overall, its funds have delivered above average performance. The star performers have been DSPML T.I.G.E.R., DSPML Equity and DSPML Top 100 Equity.
Despite the change in ownership, there is no indication of a shift in strategy - and that's good for investors. Neither is there any change in the fund management team. In fact, this fund house is known to retain its talent, a trait also visible in Franklin Templeton Mutual Fund.
Unlike other fund houses that swelled their assets through a flurry of new fund launches, DSP Merrill Lynch always preferred to stay on the sidelines. But in the last two years, there has been substantial activity on this front. There have been 'institutional option' launches in four equity schemes and four new funds - DSPML Small and Mid Cap, DSPML Micro Cap, DSPML World Gold Fund and DSPML Natural Resources and New Energy.
Over the years, DSP Merrill Lynch has developed into a full range open-ended fund family and one of the better players. Overall, its funds have delivered above average performance. The star performers have been DSPML T.I.G.E.R., DSPML Equity and DSPML Top 100 Equity.
