Infrastructure Benchmark Exchange Traded Scheme (Infra BeES), India?s first Index Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) on Infrastructure sector from Benchmark Asset Management Co. Pvt. Ltd. is being listed on the National Stock Exchange on October 5, 2010. This is the first Infrastructure sector fund which will mirror CNX Infrastructure Index.
The index includes companies belonging to Telecom, Power, Port, Air, Roads, Railways, Shipping and other Utility Services Providers.
Investors can now participate in the rapidly growing Infrastructure sector in India, which hold the key to our country?s fast growing GDP.
As per the 11th Five Year Plan Report of the Planning Commission Government of India, the average GDP growth of 7.7% achieved in the tenth five year plan period has been the highest in any Plan period so far. Further according to the report, the average GDP growth of 9% or above can be achieved and sustained only if infrastructure deficit is overcome.
According to the estimates of the Planning Commission report the Projected Total Infrastructure investment as % of GDP in XIth Five Year Plan is estimated to increase to 7.55% as against 5.08% in Xth Five Year Plan. This roughly translates into an infrastructure investment of Rs. 6 lac crore.
ETFs as a category are gaining popularity amongst investors as they are diversified mutual fund portfolios that trade like stocks on the stock exchange.
Benchmark Asset Management Company Pvt. Ltd. is the first asset management company in India to focus on Indexing. It has launched first ETF in India in 2001 and has also given concept of Gold ETF to the world. It is always making conscientious effort to bring new and innovative products in India. Its current assets under management as on September 30, 2010 are Rs. 2608.53 crore.