BSEC urges investors to consider NAV before investing in mutual funds

The Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has urged investors to consider the latest disclosed Net Asset Value (NAV) per unit of a mutual fund before making investment decisions in its units.

The commission made the call in a press release issued today (Monday), BSS reports.

According to the release, a mutual fund is an organised and regulated investment vehicle in which investors’ money is pooled and invested in various financial instruments and assets.

The total value of the fund’s assets is determined based on the market value of those assets.

After deducting liabilities from the total asset value, the resulting amount is the fund’s net asset value (NAV), it said.

The NAV per unit is calculated by dividing the fund’s total net asset value by the total number of units.

The net asset value and other relevant information of mutual funds are regularly disclosed by asset managers in accordance with applicable rules and regulations, the BSEC said.

The commission noted that units of some mutual funds may trade at prices higher than their NAV per unit.

“If there is a significant and abnormal gap between the market price of a unit and its underlying net asset value, investors should exercise particular caution,” the BSEC said.

It also said that if a mutual fund is encashed or liquidated, unit holders would not have the opportunity to receive an amount higher than the fund’s net asset value.

Against this backdrop, the commission advised general investors to verify the latest disclosed NAV per unit and other relevant information of a mutual fund before deciding to invest.

The BSEC also cautioned investors against making investment decisions based solely on information that a unit’s price has risen, rumours, information circulated on social media, or inducements from any individual or group.

The commission advised investors to make informed decisions after considering the fund’s actual asset value, financial condition, tenure, investment pattern or portfolio and other disclosed information.

It urged investors to understand the relevant information properly before investing in mutual funds.

Source: The Business Standard