New Delhi, March 11 -- February data from the Association of Mutual Funds in India signals a rise in equity appetite. Funds investing in them saw an 8% bump-up in inflows from January to Rs.25,977 crore, with mid- and small-cap funds in the lead; inflows into the former rose 26% and those in the latter surged 32%.

Flexi-cap funds, which are quite popular, saw inflows decline, though not by much. Debt and multi-asset funds also saw investor interest flag. On the whole, the preferred investment mix of retail investors seems to have shifted a bit, with high growth-potential stocks proving especially attractive.

Last month's revival of flows into equity funds after January's decline also suggests an easing of anxiety over a flat stock marke...