Foreign investors have cut Indian equity holdings by about $53 billion since late 2024, leaving the market lagging emerging peers. As FIIs reduce risk, domestic institutions have stepped in and grown their ownership to a record 18.6%, helping “domesticate” market sentiment. Jefferies highlights seven stocks that could better withstand this FII pressure.
Foreign investors have sharply trimmed their holdings in Indian equities, citing slower earnings growth, a tech-led AI surge in South Korea and Taiwan, and a costly mix of higher oil prices with a weakening rupee. The result has been heavy outflows. While strategists expect selling to ease, they warn India may not quickly regain its former appeal.
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Foreign portfolio investors have sold over Rs 2 lakh crore of Indian equities in 2026, continuing a streak of net selling for the third month. Domestic investors are stepping in to buy, but stocks are still falling. Analysts say India is not pulling in enough foreign capital, hitting large companies hardest, while smaller firms find more support from local funds.
Indian markets ended higher as election trends lifted overall sentiment, setting off sharp stock moves. Valor Estate, BHEL, and Vedanta stood out among gainers, while Sun TV, Avenue Supermarts, and Kotak Bank fell. The day highlighted how quickly political cues can reshape trading momentum across sectors.
Foreign investors have withdrawn more than $20 billion from Indian equities in just the first four months of 2026, already surpassing the total record exit seen last year. The pullback is linked to worsening sentiment after Iran war-related disruptions pushed oil prices higher, adding pressure to India, a major crude importer, and dimming investor appetite for Asian risk.
JPMorgan has downgraded Indian equities to Neutral from Overweight, warning that the Nifty could fall to 20,500 in a bear-case scenario, suggesting around 15% downside. The bank says the long-term outlook is intact, but near-term pressure could come from elevated valuations, Iran-related uncertainty, energy disruption risk, and emerging earnings concerns as FY27 estimates are cut.
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