Pharma and NBFCs surge as mutual funds pivot to defensive bets in April

Semaglutide expiry may be driving pharma buying

In April, Indian fund managers leaned into defensive stocks, with pharmaceuticals drawing fresh inflows tied to potential upside from the semaglutide patent expiry. Mutual funds also increased focus on NBFCs and asset management companies, adding PNB Housing Finance as money tilted toward retail lending. The broader shift points to worries over oil prices and West Asian geopolitical risks.