Foreign investment in Indian equities has crossed $3 billion since January, with $2 billion coming in just the last five trading sessions. Data from the Securities and Exchange Board of India shows $3.15 billion has flowed into the market between January 1st and May 21st. The heaviest buying happened on May 20th, when foreign institutional investors purchased $1.06 billion, and May 14th with $828 million invested. However, an equity head from SMC Capitals noted that while foreign confidence may be returning, absorption capacity is a concern as relatively small investments are resulting in large market rallies.

1. Foreign funds investment crosses $3-bn mark
Thu, May 21 05:14 PM
Mumbai, May 21 (IANS) Foreign inflow of money into Indian equities markets has crossed the
$3-billion mark since January, with as much as $2 billion coming in the last five trading sessions,
data with the market regulator shows.
Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) data showed foreign funds infused about $3.15
billion ($3,153.9 million) between January 1 and May 21.
The last five trading sessions starting May 14 brought in over $2.03 billion ($2,033.9 million)
with the biggest infusion made May 20 ($1,062.3 million) and May 14 ($828 million).
When markets went into a frenzy Monday with two key indices moving up 17 percent each,
foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought $201.9 million during the couple of minutes when
trading was possible.
Markets had pulled down shutters around noon Monday following the key indices breaching the
upper circuit twice.
'Confidence among foreign investors seems to be returning but what is important to note is that
there are not many options left for foreign funds to invest,' said SMC Capitals equity head
Jagannadham Thunuguntla.
'But the absorption capacity of Indian markets is a concern, relatively not-so-huge infusions are
resulting in big rallies,' added Thunuguntla.
FIIs had disposed of shares worth $11.83 billion last fiscal, turning net sellers for the first time
since 1998-99, as per SEBI data.
Indo Asian News Service