India’s equity markets saw renewed foreign interest in the first half of November, with foreign portfolio investors sharply raising their exposure despite cautious selling by foreign institutional investors. Data released by the National Securities Depository Limited showed that FPIs’ assets under custody climbed to Rs 81.53 trillion during the first fifteen days of the month, marking the highest level since September 2024. This increase reflects not only stronger market performance but also shifting global sentiment in favour of emerging markets, particularly India, which continues to demonstrate economic resilience.
Of the total assets held by FPIs, Rs 74.28 trillion were parked in Indian equities, reaffirming long-term confidence in India’s corporate and earnings outlook. The remaining holdings flowed into debt and hybrid instruments, indicating a broader diversification strategy by overseas investors. This rise in overall exposure coincided with a steady upward movement in Indian markets, driven by robust macro data, rising consumption trends and stable inflation levels.
The stock market’s performance during this period helped amplify the optimism. Both the Sensex and the Nifty registered nearly 1.5 percent gains in the first half of November, extending the sharp rebound seen in October when both benchmarks had surged 4.5 percent each. The market momentum was not restricted to frontline indices. Broader markets also displayed strength in October, with the BSE MidCap index rising 4.7 percent and the SmallCap index climbing 3.2 percent. This broad-based rally created an attractive entry point for foreign investors seeking value and growth opportunities across sectors.
However, despite the rise in cumulative holdings, FIIs maintained a cautious stance during November. They sold equities worth around Rs 3,166 crore in the first half of the month. Their strategy appears to reflect profit booking following the strong October rally, rather than a structural shift in sentiment. Interestingly, FIIs increased their presence in the Indian debt market, purchasing debt worth nearly Rs 2,693 crore during the same period. This mixed behaviour is consistent with global investment patterns in times of shifting interest rate expectations and evolving risk appetite.
The shift in flows is more pronounced when compared to October, a month that saw strong foreign inflows. FIIs then had infused over Rs 10,285 crore into Indian equities and Rs 16,124 crore into debt. This sharp contrast between the two months highlights the volatility in foreign flows and the influence of global monetary cues, geopolitical events and currency movements on investor decisions.
Sector-wise data offered deeper insight into the evolving preferences of foreign investors. Information technology stocks saw the sharpest pullback, with FIIs withdrawing Rs 4,873 crore from the sector. Analysts attribute this to uncertainty around global tech spending and the impact of slower project ramps in key markets such as the United States and Europe. Consumer services also recorded sizeable withdrawals of nearly Rs 2,918 crore, reflecting concerns over discretionary spending in a high-inflation environment. Healthcare and power sectors each witnessed outflows of about Rs 2,500 crore, indicating selective profit booking across defensive and utility-driven industries.
Other key sectors, including FMCG and financial services, faced withdrawals close to Rs 2,000 crore each. Smaller outflows were recorded in consumer durables, automobiles, services and chemicals. The pattern suggests that FIIs are recalibrating their portfolios, reducing exposure in high-valued segments and awaiting clearer global signals before resuming aggressive buying.
Even as FIIs showed restraint, analysts believe the Indian equity market is finding fresh structural support from multiple domestic and global factors. Expectations of easing India-US trade tensions, improving global supply chains and a more predictable trade environment have contributed to greater investor comfort. On the domestic front, stronger-than-expected corporate earnings across banking, capital goods, automobiles and manufacturing have boosted the market’s fundamental outlook.
India’s macroeconomic environment also appears to be stabilising. The government’s recent policy measures have improved global confidence, particularly the GST rate cuts on essential items, the sharp repo rate cut in June aimed at stimulating credit flow and S&P’s upgrade of India’s sovereign rating. Together, these actions have bolstered the sentiment of long-term investors who view India as a stable and high-growth destination.
With inflation showing signs of easing, manufacturing expanding steadily under the PMI index and private consumption rebounding during the festive period, analysts anticipate that FII selling may ease in the coming weeks. Moreover, the increased participation of FPIs in debt instruments suggests sustained confidence in India’s economic fundamentals and fiscal stability.
Notably, while foreign flows may remain choppy in the short term due to global uncertainties, India’s long-term growth prospects remain firmly intact. The ongoing reforms in taxation, banking, infrastructure and investment policies continue to shape India into a reliable global investment hub. As global central banks begin signalling a softer interest rate trajectory, emerging markets like India are expected to attract greater foreign inflows.
The sharp rise in FPIs’ total holdings in November, therefore, marks more than a statistical milestone. It underscores a broader shift in global investor sentiment towards India, driven by structural strength, resilient markets and proactive policy support.
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