Foreign Portfolio Investors Inject Rs 22,615 Crore into Indian Equities in February, Marking 17-Month High
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Mumbai, March 1 (NationPress) In a remarkable turn of events, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have re-entered the Indian equity market with an investment of Rs 22,615 crore in February. This influx represents the largest monthly capital injection witnessed in the last 17 months, following a challenging three-month streak of substantial withdrawals.
The renewed investment interest was bolstered by several positive factors, including the interim India-US trade agreement, a correction in domestic market valuations, and robust third-quarter results from various corporations. This resurgence of confidence effectively overturned the recent trend of capital outflows.
According to data sourced from depositories, FPIs had previously withdrawn Rs 35,962 crore in January, Rs 22,611 crore in December, and Rs 3,765 crore in November.
Despite the positive inflow in February, foreign investors have still withdrawn a net total of Rs 1.66 trillion (approximately $18.9 billion) from Indian equities since the beginning of 2025, marking one of the most challenging periods for foreign capital in recent times.
The previous outflows were influenced by fluctuating currency rates, ongoing global trade disputes, concerns regarding potential US tariffs, and elevated equity valuations.
February's influx is the highest since September 2024, when FPIs invested Rs 57,724 crore into Indian markets.
A report from Emkay Global Financial Services indicated that foreign inflows into Indian equities were anticipated to rebound once currency volatility subsided. The brokerage emphasized that the current weakness of the rupee is a temporary situation and affirmed that the long-term outlook for Indian markets remains promising.
The report also underscored that domestic institutional investors (DIIs) have been crucial in stabilizing the market amid FPI sell-offs. It noted that DIIs currently hold a greater share in Indian equities compared to FPIs, serving as a buffer against market fluctuations.
Furthermore, the report highlighted that the long-term trend of domestic savings shifting towards equities is still very much intact. It predicts an increase in the share of equities within household savings over the next decade, buoyed by consistent domestic inflows.
Interestingly, despite a recent uptick in gold's share of household savings, there has been minimal impact on new equity investments.