The CAMS window to funds
by Aarati Krishnan

COMPUTER Age Management Services' (CAMS) website:

www.camsonline.com is a website worth visiting for those interested in mutual funds. CAMS is the registrar and transfer agent for ten of the mutual funds that currently operate schemes in India.

Funds covered:

The site offers information on ten mutual funds. Alliance Capital MF, Kotak Mahindra MF, Prudential ICICI MF, Sundaram MF, DBS Chola MF, DSP Merrill Lynch MF and SBI MF are the funds covered by the website.

Tapping NAV information:

The NAV information module allows both existing and prospective investors to access information on schemes through three options: On the site itself by clicking on the icon of the fund of their choice, using the links to access the mutual fund websites or choose to receive NAV updates by e- mail.

The NAVs on the CAMS site relate to those for the previous working day; it could be slightly outdated for certain funds.

Uplinking from CAMS:

Investors might be better off using the links to access the mutual funds websites, which provide information on the performance of the schemes vis-a-vis benchmarks, their investment philosophy and the latest disclosed portfolios of the schemes, and updated NAVs - a must for investors trying to choose between fund offerings.

Historical NAVs:

For investors looking for historical NAV information and regular NAV updates (available even for those not owning units), CAMS offers a free e-mail subscription service.

Checking your account:

Investors in existing schemes serviced by CAMS can use the account information module to get information on the current balances outstanding in their accounts, for the units in schemes held by them. Investors can either check account information on the site itself, by punching in an identification number or by contacting the CAMS service centres listed on the site (Local Services page) to obtain their latest account statement.

However, CAMS has not been authorised to offer these facilities in respect of all the schemes that it services. Alliance Capital, Kotak Mahindra MF and Prudential ICICI MF have authorised CAMS to offer this service to investors.

If you want to invest:

The site also offers a form download facility which enables investors to download and print out forms for making fresh purchases, and redemption and switchover requests in respect of some of the schemes. However, both these services are limited to a few schemes and would be more useful if expanded to cover more funds.

Portfolio valuation:

The portfolio valuation service offered by CAMS would be a useful service for unit-owners in one or a few of the CAMS-serviced schemes. By subscribing to the free portfolio valuation service, investors can request an aggregated portfolio valuation from CAMS through e-mail at a frequency of their choice.

The portfolio valuation service computes the aggregate value of the portfolio of mutual fund units held by an investor on a particular date and sets out the cost, the current value and appreciation in the value of the portfolio of mutual fund units vis-a-vis the cost. The NAV and portfolio valuation subscription services may be useful to investors without Internet access.