Unitech, DLF, Indiabulls Real Estate surge after Sebi permits mutual funds to invest in REITs

NEW DELHI: Shares of real estate companies hogged limelight in the morning trade on Monday after the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Saturday permitted mutual funds to invest their money in real estate investment trusts (REITs) and infrastructure investment trusts (InvITs).

All the 10 components in the BSE Realty index were trading in the green with DLF surging the most 4.47 per cent around 11.10 am (IST), followed by HDIL (up 3.36 per cent), Sobha (up 3 per cent), Indabulls Real Estate (up 2.79 per cent) and Unitech (up 1.35 per cent).

Other real estate majors such as Godrej Properties, Omaxe, Prestige Estates and Phoenix were also trading higher by 0.92 per cent, 0.69 per cent, 0.64 per cent and 0.33 per cent, respectively.

The BSE Realty index was trading over 2 per cent up at 1,381 around 10.50 am.

Mutual funds have been allowed to invest in REITs and InvITs that have been classified as hybrid instruments.

A mutual fund can invest up to 5 per cent of its net asset value in units of a single issuer of REITs and InvITs while the cap will not be applicable in the case of index fund or sector or industry-specific scheme.

The overall limit will be 10 per cent of its NAV in units of REITs and InvITs.