New Delhi, July 5 -- International mutual funds have emerged among the better-performing mutual fund categories over the past year, helped by a rally in global equities and a weaker rupee. Yet, investors looking to add overseas exposure through mutual funds continue to face a significant hurdle since most international schemes remain closed to fresh investments.

More than four years after the mutual fund industry exhausted the regulatory limit for overseas investments, access to these funds remains restricted. According to Value Research, 54 of the 66 international mutual funds it tracks are currently not accepting fresh investments. Only 12 schemes continue to accept fresh systematic investment plans (SIPs), while just one remains open ...