FPIs open fund floodgates for Indian markets

New Delhi: Ignoring negative sentiments around falling GDP growth rate and some policy roadblocks, foreign portfolio investors seem to have flocked to the Indian capital market in a big way in 2019 with a net inflow of over Rs 1.3 lakh crore, including Rs 97,250 crore in equities - the highest in last six years.

As the year draws to a close, the debt market has seen a net inflow of nearly Rs 27,000 crore by FPIs, while a further amount of Rs 9,000 crore found its way to the hybrid instruments, shows the capital market data compiled by depositories.

Experts believe the positive trend may continue in 2020 as well, but downside risks might arise in form of the US-China trade war and any further deterioration in the domestic credit market conditions.

The potential positives include favourable global interest rates, continuing fund infusion by central banks and an expected revival in domestic corporate earnings, Bajaj Capital Head Research and Advisory Alok Agarwala said.

However, negative developments surrounding the US-China trade war, a sharp rise in crude oil prices and a continuing credit crisis in Indian non-banking finance companies (NBFCs) can spoil the show, he added.

As of now, the foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have made a net investment of Rs 1.33 lakh crore (nearly $19 billion) in the Indian markets so far in 2019, while a few days of trading is yet to take place.

While FPIs have made gross purchases worth over Rs 18 lakh crore so far this year, they have sold securities worth Rs 16.7 lakh crore across equities, debt and hybrid instruments.

This is the second highest inflow in the last five years and follows a net outflow of close to Rs 81,000 crore in 2018.

In 2017, the net inflow into Indian capital markets had crossed Rs 2 lakh crore after a net outflow of over Rs 23,000 crore in 2006.

The 2015 saw a net inflow of over Rs 63,000 crore, while it was over Rs 2.5 lakh crore in 2014. For equities only, the year passing-by has already seen a net inflow of Rs 97,250 crore - the highest in six years.

While the year 2018 saw a net outflow of over Rs 33,000 crore by FPIs in equities, there was a net inflow of Rs 51,000 crore in 2017, of Rs 20,500 crore in 2016, of Rs 17,800 crore in 2015 and of Rs 97,054 crore in 2014.

Prior to that, the net inflow in equities alone had reached Rs 1.13 lakh crore in 2013 and even higher at Rs 1.28 lakh crore in 2012.

Like equities, the debt market has also seen FPIs turning net buyers in 2019, after they pulled out a net amount of about Rs 48,000 crore in 2018.

Market experts attributed the staggering inflow in the capital markets this year, after massive outflows in 2018, to a host of global and domestic factors including change in the US monetary policy stance, expectation of positive outcome of the US-China trade deal and corporate tax rate cuts back home.

"The recovery in FPI flows in this year was led by a change in US monetary policy stance and interest rate cuts of 75 basis points in the second half, supported by hopes of a positive outcome from the US-China trade agreement, which bolstered the risk-on sentiments among foreign investors who diverted huge investments towards emerging markets, with India too receiving its share," said Himanshu Srivastava, Senior Research Analyst, Manager Research at Morningstar.