FPIs pump ₹13,347 crore in Indian equities, debt flows reduce in April so far: Will inflows continue in FY25?
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have reduced their momentum of buying in Indian equities since the onset of the new fiscal 2024-25 (FY25) after reporting solid inflows in the previous fiscal. FPIs started the year on a strong note and have so far extended the buying streak in Indian markets. However, experts are doubtful if the inflows will continue in near-term due to the India-Mauritius tax treaty.
FPIs have bought ₹13,347 crore worth of Indian equities and the total inflow stands at ₹15,706 crore as of April 12, taking into account debt, hybrid, debt-VRR, and equities, according to National Securities Depository Ltd (NSDL) data. The total debt inflows stand at ₹1,522 crore so far this month.
“There is slight deceleration in debt flows which stood at ₹1,521 crore. Friday witnessed big FPI selling to the tune of ₹8,027 crore on fears of changes in India-Mauritius tax treaty. This will weigh on FPI inflows in the near-term till clarity emerges on details of the new treaty,” said Dr. V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services.
FPI activity in Indian markets
FPIs pumped ₹35,098 crore in Indian equities during March – the highest inflows recorded in the first three months of 2024. FPI outflow initially declined in February until they were net buyers by the end of the month, despite high US bond yields. The inflow into Indian equities stood at ₹1,539 crore and the debt market investment rose to ₹22,419 crore in February on top of the ₹19,836 crore bought in January.
The inclusion of government bonds to JPMorgan and Bloomberg debt indices especially triggered foreign fund inflows into debt markets. FPIs turned massive sellers in January 2024 snapping their buying streak as investments saw a sharp uptick in December 2023 after they reversed their three-month selling streak in November 2023.
However, inflow intensified in December on strong global cues after the US Federal Reserve signalled the end of its tightening cycle and raised expectations of a rate cut in March 2024. This led to a crash in US bond yields and triggered foreign fund inflows into emerging markets like India.
For the entire calendar year 2023, FPIs bought ₹1.71 lakh crore in Indian equities and the total inflow stands at ₹2.37 lakh crore taking into account debt, hybrid, debt-VRR, and equities, according to NSDL data. FPIs’ net investment in Indian debt market stands at ₹68,663 crore during 2023.
Overall, only four months in 2023–January, February, September, and October- saw net FPI outflows from Indian equities. May, June, and July each recorded FPI inflows above ₹43,800 crore.
Disclaimer: The views and recommendations made above are those of individual analysts or broking companies, and not of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.
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Published: 13 Apr 2024, 05:02 PM IST
Ganesh
http://ganesh@finplay.inFinance enthusiast, Mutual fund expert.