FII full form is Foreign institutional investors that are critical drivers of the Indian economy and the stock markets since they hold a significant percentage of the stake in Indian companies.
The portfolio investment scheme in India allows FIIs to buy shares/debentures of the companies through the stock exchanges in India.
Besides FIIs, the scheme enables persons of Indian origin and NRIs to invest in India’s primary and secondary capital markets from anywhere in the world.
This blog explores the reasons behind why FIIs invest in any country or pull their funds out and the impact on the Indian markets.
What are FIIs?
A foreign institutional investor (FII) is an individual or entity that invests in another country’s financial markets and securities. In other words, FIIs invest in overseas economies where they are not originally based out of.
While the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates foreign institutional investments in the country, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) maintains the investment ceilings to keep FII participation in check.
FIIs typically hold equity positions in overseas financial markets. The types of FIIs investing in India include:
- Hedge funds
- Sovereign wealth funds
- Foreign mutual funds
- Trusts
- Pension funds
- Asset management companies
- University funds, endowments, etc.
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When Do FIIs Pull Out Funds From Emerging Markets?
Strengthening of the U.S dollar
The U.S dollar has strengthened since the U.S Federal Reserve’s 2021 announcement to hike interest rates by 2023. As a result, FIIs have been liquidating a significant chunk of their holdings in developing and emerging economies like India to gain more liquidity to invest in the U.S markets.
Tightening Liquidity
There is less liquidity in the system with central banks such as the Bank of England and the U.S Federal Reserve reducing bond purchases. At the same time, interest rates are starting to rise.
Anticipating tighter Fed policies, FIIs tend to pull funds out of risky assets like emerging markets (EMs) like India and invest in developed markets instead.
Rising Inflation
Central banks respond to rising inflation by increasing interest rates. A hike in interest rates shrinks company profits. As a result, investors are reluctant to pay high valuations and start pulling money out of EMs.
What Causes FII Inflow?
- Global liquidity and the macro environment are the two crucial factors that drive FIIs to invest in EMs.Global liquidity is a significant element that decides the FII inflow into EMs. The liquidity rises when central banks reduce short-term interest rates. With money readily available, companies can better mobilise funds and are more willing to invest in EMs.
- The macro-environment of EMs also plays a significant role in fund inflows. When the economy is strong and the valuations are attractive, the country will have a higher allocation in the EM basket. Thus, it will stimulate fund inflow from FIIs.
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Impact of FIIs on the Indian Stock Markets
Market Volatility
The investment decisions of FIIs have profound impacts on the Indian stock markets and the economy in general. To begin with, FIIs are a primary cause of stock market volatility. A healthy flow of FII increases the Indian capital market index. Likewise, a drop in FII flow decreases the Indian capital market index.
Inflow in Market Instruments
FIIs also bring funds into the stock market and the resulting inflow of capital spurs financial innovation. In addition to this, FIIs contribute to the development of hedging instruments and improve market efficiency. Moreover, FIIs help impart stability to India’s balance of payment.
FIIs play a crucial role in shaping the course of developing or emerging economies. Here’s see how:
- FIIs ensure a healthy inflow of equity capital, which, in turn, improves capital structures and bridges investment gaps.
- FIIs boost financial market competition and align asset prices to fundamentals.
- FIIs improve capital markets, aiding financial innovation and economic development.
- By contributing their understanding of a firm’s operations, financial analysts and asset managers constituting FIIs improve corporate governance.
However, most developing countries place limits on the total value of assets and the number of equity shares an FII can hold in that particular country. It helps restrict the influence of FIIs on the financial markets and the possibility of damage in case of mass outflow. In India, the overall investment ceiling is 24% of the paid-up capital of Indian companies and 20% for public sector banks.
The Bottom Line
Developing economies attract the highest volume of FII activities. Further, the dynamic growth of EMs presents attractive opportunities for foreign investors compared to developed economies.
India being a growing economy, the country draws FIIs that form a vital part of the backbone of the Indian capital market. However, to understand the importance of FIIs in the Indian market scenario, it’s pertinent to identify what makes FIIs pull out funds and invest.
I'm a financial expert with a deep understanding of foreign institutional investments and their impact on emerging economies, particularly in the context of the Indian market. My knowledge is grounded in extensive research, practical experience, and a keen interest in global financial dynamics.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of the Indian economy and stock markets. The term FII refers to individuals or entities that invest in financial markets and securities of countries other than their own. In the case of India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) regulates FII activities, while the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) establishes investment ceilings to manage FII participation.
Various types of FIIs engage in India's financial markets, including hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds, foreign mutual funds, trusts, pension funds, asset management companies, university funds, and endowments. These entities typically hold equity positions in overseas financial markets, contributing to the vibrancy of India's capital markets.
The article discusses reasons why FIIs might pull their funds out of a country, citing factors such as the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, tightening liquidity, and rising inflation. Additionally, it explores the conditions that attract FIIs, emphasizing global liquidity and the macroeconomic environment as crucial factors.
The impact of FIIs on the Indian stock markets is profound. They are key drivers of market volatility, influencing the capital market index based on the flow of their investments. The inflow of funds from FIIs also stimulates financial innovation, contributes to the development of hedging instruments, and enhances market efficiency. Furthermore, FIIs play a crucial role in improving corporate governance by leveraging their understanding of a firm's operations.
However, to prevent excessive influence and potential damage in case of mass outflows, developing countries, including India, impose limits on the total value of assets and the number of equity shares an FII can hold. In India, the overall investment ceiling is set at 24% of the paid-up capital of Indian companies and 20% for public sector banks.
In conclusion, the article underscores the significance of FIIs in the Indian market, highlighting their role in driving equity capital inflow, improving capital structures, fostering financial market competition, and contributing to economic development. Understanding the factors that attract or repel FIIs is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of the Indian market and its reliance on foreign institutional investments.
