FPIs pull out Rs 34,843 cr from equities in Oct; turn net buyers last week

Foreign portfolio investors recorded a substantial withdrawal from equities in October, taking their net outflow for the month to Rs 34,843 crore. The monthly figure highlights a period of selling by overseas investors in the equity market.

However, the trend changed during the final week referenced in the data. FPIs turned net buyers, indicating that purchases exceeded sales during that period.

October marked by net selling

The Rs 34,843 crore outflow represents the overall movement of foreign portfolio investment from equities during October. It captures the difference between the value of equity purchases and sales by FPIs over the month.

For the equity market, the figure provides a measure of overseas investor activity during the period. The outflow also shows that selling remained stronger than buying across the month as a whole.

Buying returns in the last week

The shift to net buying in the last week created a different pattern from the broader monthly trend. While FPIs remained net sellers for October overall, their activity at the end of the month moved in favour of equity purchases.

The available information does not specify the reason for the monthly outflow or the later change in direction. It does, however, establish two clear movements: a Rs 34,843 crore withdrawal over October and a return to net buying in the last week.

Key points

• FPIs withdrew Rs 34,843 crore from equities in October.
• The October flow was negative overall.
• FPIs became net buyers in the last week.
• Late-month buying differed from the broader monthly trend.
• The available information does not identify the reasons for either movement.