New Delhi, Oct. 20 -- About 20 mutual fund houses have reportedly halted fresh lump-sum investments, new SIPs (systematic investment plans) and top-ups in gold fund of funds (FoFs) following regulatory directives on 15 and 16 October. The step, as explained by experts, is designed to curb domestic gold import demand and relieve pressure on the rupee during the festive season, without disrupting direct ETF (exchange traded fund) investments.

The fund houses of State Bank of India, Kotak Mahindra, ICICI Prudential, HDFC, Tata and DSP, along with others, have restricted new incremental flows into gold FoFs, though existing active SIPs will continue.

"Fund houses have taken action only in gold fund of funds, not in gold ETFs," clarified Ani...