V Srivatsa (UTI Asset Management Company) noted that domestic mutual fund inflows have remained strong, even amid heavy foreign institutional investor selling. This trend reflects a significant shift in investor behavior, where individuals are now more disciplined and willing to invest during market downturns. Srivatsa emphasized that this maturity helps stabilize market volatility, which is crucial given the current global uncertainties and rising crude oil prices. He observed that while midcap and smallcap stocks are trading at a premium compared to largecaps, a balanced investment approach is advisable. He recommends allocating around 50% of a portfolio to equities, focusing on largecaps and flexicap funds, while the other 50% should be in hybrid and asset allocation categories. Additionally, he suggests a 5% exposure to gold as a hedge against uncertainty. Despite potential risks from fluctuating crude oil prices, Srivatsa remains optimistic about future earnings growth assuming stabilization in oil prices.