NEW DELHI, Feb 23: Foreign investors have poured almost Rs 11,000 crore into the Indian debt market so far this month after being net sellers of bonds in 2013.
The inflows followed a net investment of Rs 12,609 crore in the preceding month.
According to market experts, FII inflows into debt are returning on account of the stability observed in foreign exchange and interest rates.
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) were gross buyers of debt securities worth Rs 21,210 crore and sellers of bonds to the tune of Rs 10,219 crore till February 21, resulting in a net inflow of Rs 10,991 crore (USD 1.77 billion), according to data from the Securities and Exchange Board of India.
During this period, FIIs pulled out Rs 549 crore from the equity market.
In 2013, overseas investors withdrew Rs 50,847 crore (USD 8 billion) from the bond market and infused Rs 1.13 lakh crore (USD 20.1 billion) in equities.
They started pulling out from the Indian debt market after the US Federal Reserve first indicated in May that it would taper its stimulus programme, raising concerns that funds available for investing in emerging markets may be reduced.
The Fed subsequently started reducing its bond purchases in January.
The rupee, which touched an all-time low of 68.85 in August, has recovered and closed at 62.12 against the dollar on Friday.
As of February 21, there were 1,726 registered FIIs in the country and 6,367 sub-accounts. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel