In January 2025, International Portfolio Traders (FPIs) continued to withdraw from Indian fairness markets, leading to internet outflows of Rs 78,027 crore. Indian shares are at present experiencing a four-month downward pattern, marking their worst efficiency in 23 years. This decline may be attributed to components akin to poor earnings, overseas capital outflows, and financial uncertainty, all of which have dampened the market’s earlier file highs.
The latest surge within the US greenback and rising US bond yields, following Donald Trump’s re-election, have made American property extra interesting to buyers. In consequence, capital has been shifting away from Indian equities. Whereas FPIs had been internet patrons of Rs 15,448 crore in December 2024, they’ve since bought off Rs 94,017 crore in October and Rs 21,612 crore in November, additional contributing to the outflow of capital from Indian markets.
Noting the sell-off, Deepak Shenoy, CEO of asset administration firm Capitalmind Monetary Providers, mentioned that in February thus far, FPIs have bought Rs 2,600 crore fairness, however purchased Rs 13,400 crore debt. He added that huge debt shopping for is happening.
“In February thus far, FPIs have bought 2600 cr. fairness – purchased 13,400 cr. debt. Yesterday’s knowledge not included, so simply the primary two buying and selling days (Saturday, FPIs did not commerce). Mainly huge debt shopping for occurring. Rupee is weakening principally speculative, flows are optimistic,” Shenoy wrote on a submit on social media platform X.
What’s behind FPI outflows?
The strengthening of the US greenback and the rise in US bond yields following Donald Trump’s return to the presidency have resulted in a shift of capital from Indian equities to extra engaging US property.
Regardless of experiencing important promoting in January, International Portfolio Traders (FPIs) reversed this pattern in December 2024, turning into internet patrons of Rs 15,448 crore. In distinction, FPIs had offloaded Rs 94,017 crore and Rs 21,612 crore in October and November, respectively.
The stronger greenback, elevated US yields, tariff worries, sluggish home financial progress and excessive inventory valuations will solely drive extra FPIs away, mentioned Sanjeev Hota, vp and head of analysis of wealth administration at Mirae Asset Sharekhan.
In accordance with VK Vijayakumar, Chief Funding Strategist at Geojit Monetary Providers, the primary motive for the latest FPI pullout is the spectacular efficiency of the US economic system and company earnings, which have exceeded India’s latest progress and earnings trajectory.
Vijayakumar famous that whereas the Funds has had a optimistic impression on sentiment, the uncertainty brought on by President Trump’s tariff insurance policies has created disruption within the international financial panorama.
“The Funds has improved sentiment, and with progress and earnings restoration anticipated, the pattern may reverse. Nevertheless, Trump’s tariff insurance policies have injected uncertainty into the worldwide financial panorama.”
FPI vs DII
As overseas portfolio buyers (FPIs) proceed to withdraw funds from Indian shares with no indicators of slowing down, home establishments have stepped in to soak up the promoting strain by injecting billions into the market. They bought shares totaling ₹86,591 crore, almost balancing out the FPI sell-off and stopping a big market downturn.
Each the Nifty 50 and Sensex noticed declines of over 0.5% on the finish of January, marking the fourth consecutive month of losses for the indices. That is the primary occasion within the final 23 years the place the important thing indices have skilled 4 consecutive months within the pink.
The mid- and small-cap shares confronted substantial declines throughout the month, with the Nifty Small Cap 100 index dropping by 10%, marking the biggest month-to-month decline since February 2022. Moreover, the Nifty Midcap 100 index additionally noticed a decline of 6.10%.
FPIs and govt bonds
In accordance with the Financial Survey 2025 launched on January 31, FPIs have invested Rs 62,431 crore in authorities bonds since their inclusion within the JP Morgan index. The survey additionally highlighted a surge in FPI debt phase exercise, with cumulative flows amounting to Rs 1.1 lakh crore from October 2023 to June 2024, following the announcement of inclusion of Indian Authorities Bonds (IGB) within the JP Morgan index in October 2023.
On June 28, JP Morgan added 29 authorities securities underneath the Totally Accessible Route (FAR) in its rising market index. India at present holds a 1 % weight within the index, with deliberate incremental will increase every month as much as March 2025. FAR permits non-residents to put money into specified authorities of India securities with none funding limits.
In FY25, the inclusion resulted in a internet influx of greater than $3 billion in Indian FAR bonds, with property underneath custody standing at $28 billion as of December 15, 2024, the Eco Survey doc confirmed.
