What is NSE IFSC & How It Helps in US Stocks Investing (2024)

Investing in international stocks has emerged as a popular way for Indian investors to diversify their investment portfolio. Earlier you only had 2 options to invest in US equities – through a US-registered broker or through International Mutual Funds that invest in foreign companies. Now you have a third option – investing in top US stocks on the NSE IFSC (International Financial Service Centre) Exchange. The NSE IFSC exchange operates out of GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tech City), Gandhinagar, and from March 3, 2022 onwards, Indian retail investors can trade in US stocks on the exchange.

In this blog, we will discuss what the NSE IFSC exchange is, how you can buy and sell US stocks on the new exchange, and some key things you must keep in mind before you start trading.

What is the NSE IFSC Exchange?

The NSE IFSC (International Financial Service Centre) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange (NSE). This NSE subsidiary operates an international stock exchange in GIFT City, Gandhinagar which was set up to help NRIs and foreign investors easily trade in Indian equities. Now retail investors in India can also buy US-listed stocks on the NSE IFSC exchange.

The NSE IFSC exchange in GIFT City is an international exchange where all trades are conducted in a foreign currency i.e., US dollars. As investments outside India in foreign exchange are done under the LRS (Liberalized Remittance Scheme), your investments in NSE IFSC US stocks will also be done under this scheme. As per LRS rules, you are allowed to invest a maximum of US$ 2.5 lakh during a financial year. So, this will qualify as the upper limit when it comes to investing in US stocks listed on NSE IFSC.

How To Buy US Stocks on the NSE IFSC Exchange

At present you can buy 8 US stocks on the NSE IFSC Exchange. These are Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Meta Platforms (Facebook), Netflix, Apple, Walmart, Tesla, and Microsoft. This number will be increased to 50 US stocks that will be introduced on the exchange in a phased manner. The trading time on the exchange will be as per those of the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange). So NSE IFSC trading hours will 8 pm IST to 2:30 pm IST.

To trade or buy these stocks, you will need a new demat account. Your existing demat account for trading domestic shares will not be enough and you will have to open a special demat account. That’s why, you have to do the following:

  • Open a trading and demat account with an IFSC-registered broker. If your current broker is already registered with NSE IFSC, reach out to them to know about any formalities you have to complete before you can start trading in US stocks on the international exchange. You can get the updated list of IFSC-registered brokers and their contact details here.
  • Transfer funds from your Indian bank account to the account of the IFSC-registered broker. Since NSE IFSC trades are conducted in US dollars and not Indian rupees, currency conversion is mandatory to make investments in NSE IFSC US stocks. You can start trading in US stocks listed on the exchange once your funds have been transferred to the account of the IFSC-registered broker.

Things You Should Know Before Trading On NSE IFSC

1. You Get Depository Receipts Not Shares

Investors don’t get to buy actual US stocks of the company through the NSE IFSC exchange. Instead, you will be issued depository receipts. Depository receipts(DR) are financial instruments that represent an equity stock listed on a foreign exchange. DRs allow investors to hold equity shares of foreign companies without the need to trade directly on a foreign stock exchange.

NSE IFSC depository receipts are issued by the GIFT City-based HDFC Bank IFSC Banking Unit (HDFC IBU) which buys and holds the actual US stocks on behalf of the investors of the NSE IFSC exchange. HDFC IBU will purchase the underlying stock of the US company from an international exchange such as NASDAQ or NYSE and hold them on the behalf of investors.

2. You Can Buy US Stocks In Fractions

Unlike direct equity transactions on an international stock exchange, you can purchase US stocks in fractions using DRs. This increases affordability as the cost of actual US stocks runs into hundreds and thousands of dollars. Under current guidelines, the following is the number of DRs HDFC IBU will issue for the 8 US stocks currently available on the exchange :

Stock NameNo. of Depository Receipts / Equity Share
Amazon200
Alphabet200
Tesla100
Meta Platforms50
Microsoft50
Netflix50
Apple25
Walmart25

The price of each NSE IFSC depository receipt will change in real-time based on the value of the equity stock it represents on the foreign exchange.

The main benefit of this system is that as the underlying US equity stock is held by HDFC IBU on behalf of the investors, so, there is no broker risk. This is not the case if you are directly investing in US equities through a US-registered broker. In the latter case, the shares are held by the broker on your behalf which puts your investment at additional risk.

Costs To Consider When Buying US Stocks On NSE IFSC

Before you start trading in US stocks on this international exchange, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

  1. NSE IFSC Transaction Fees: Currently the NSE IFSC exchange charges 12 cents for every US$100 of stocks traded. So 0.12% of the transaction value is charged as transaction fees by the exchange. However, there is no additional Securities Transaction Tax (STT) or stamp duty for these transactions.
  2. Brokerage and Demat Account Charges: Purchasing or selling US stocks on the NSE IFSC exchange also features brokerage and demat charges that can vary from one broker to another.
  3. Currency Conversion Charges: Since you have to complete your transactions using US dollars, you will be charged a currency conversion fee by the bank. This fee can also vary from one bank to another.
  4. Taxation of Gains: There is currently some confusion if DR of US stocks will be taxed as per the rules similar to gains from direct international equity investments. If the rules are the same, you have to stay invested for 2 years or longer prior to redemption in order to qualify for long-term capital gains (LTCG). Currently, short-term capital gains (STCG) on US stocks held for less than 2 years prior to redemption are taxed as per the slab rate of the investor. LTCG rate for these US stocks is 20% with indexation.

Bottom Line

The introduction of the NSE IFSC exchange will make it significantly easier for retail investors in India to invest in top US stocks and introduce geographical diversification in their existing investment portfolio. While the list of stocks currently available for trade on the new exchange is short, the planned introduction of additional US stocks would definitely help a larger number of Indian investors benefit from investments in top US companies.

But, investing in individual US stocks directly comes with unique risks and you will need to research each stock carefully before investing. In case an investor lacks the time or knowledge to research each investment, it is better to invest in Mutual Funds that invest in foreign equities to diversify the investment portfolio. Currently, a number of international funds in India offer investors an opportunity to gain exposure to not just US stocks but also other developed and developing countries/regions like Japan, China, European Union, etc.

We hope you found this article useful. If you did, please share it with your friends and family and help us reach more people. If you have any questions or you need clarification on what we have written in this blog, do ask us in the comment section below, and we will respond.

What is NSE IFSC & How It Helps in US Stocks Investing (2024)

FAQs

How to invest in US stocks through NSE IFSC? ›

How To Buy US Stocks on the NSE IFSC Exchange
  1. Open a trading and demat account with an IFSC-registered broker. ...
  2. Transfer funds from your Indian bank account to the account of the IFSC-registered broker.
Mar 24, 2023

How does NSE IFSC works? ›

NSE IFSC Limited (NSE IFSC) is a fully owned subsidiary company of National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) and applied to the SEBI for in-principle approval to establish an international exchange in Gujarat International Finance Tech City - International Financial Service Centre.

How to invest in US stocks from India ICICI Direct? ›

How to get started?
  1. Login to your ICICI Direct account. You need to be existing ICICI Direct Customer to get access to ICICI Direct Global.
  2. Subscribe to a plan of your choice. Choose the plan which works best for you.
  3. Upload your Scanned Documents. ...
  4. Get access to ICICI Direct Global Investment Platform.

What is the difference between NSE IFSC and INDmoney? ›

On NSE-IFSC, there is a T+3 settlement lag after buying. This means that the Depository receipt once bought will get credited after 3 days to your demat account. On the other hand, on INDmoney the stocks get credited into your broker account immediately after buying.

Which Indian broker is best for US stocks? ›

The first option for Indian investors to invest in US stocks is by opening an overseas trading account with a domestic broker. Indian investors can open an overseas trading account with a domestic broker like HDFC Securities, ICICI Direct, or Kotak Securities.

Can you directly invest in US stocks from India? ›

Yes, Indians can invest in the US stock market. There is more than one way to buy and hold US stocks in your portfolio. Direct equities, ETFs, and mutual funds are just one of the few popular options. You can invest in US stocks in two ways from India – indirect and direct.

Is it safe to share IFSC? ›

Is it secure to give out my bank account info and IFSC code? IFSC codes are given to each bank and branch to conduct transactions securely. In this way, dishonesty and theft are completely ruled out. With IFSC Codes in place, a security breach is unlikely to occur.

What is the purpose of IFSC? ›

IFSC helps in carrying out fund transfer transactions electronically by sending or routing messages to the specific branches of any particular bank. Along with that, IFSC is used by fund transferring systems to acknowledge both the branches involved in a transfer process.

What are the benefits of IFSC in India? ›

Units in IFSC:
  • 100% tax exemption for 10 consecutive years out of 15 years.
  • MAT / AMT @ 9% of book profits applies to Company / others setup as a unit in IFSC. ...
  • From 01 April 2020, dividend income distributed by Company in IFSC to be taxed in the hands of the shareholder.

What if I invest in US stocks from India? ›

If you're wondering, Can I Invest in the US Stock Market or how to invest in US stocks from India, the answer is, yes you easily can! There are two distinct ways of investing in the US stock market from India: Direct investment in stocks. Indirect investment in stocks via mutual funds or ETFs.

Can USA NRI invest in Indian stocks? ›

While trading in equities can be down through NRE or NRO accounts, F&O trading can be done by NRIs only through NRO accounts that are non-Repatriable. Also, NRIs will have to get a Custodial Participant (CP) code before trading in F&O. NRIs can only trade on delivery basis in Indian equities.

Which app is best to invest in US stocks from India? ›

INDmoney makes it easy for anyone wanting to start investing in US stocks from India. Our zero-cost structure allows you to start trading without any account opening fees or commission on buying and selling. It takes less than 3 minutes to open a US stocks account with INDmoney.

Which broker allows buying US stocks? ›

You can opt for foreign brokers like Ameritrade, Charles Schwab and others that have an Indian presence to start directly investing in the US stock market. NSE IFSC - You can also trade US stocks through the NSE IFSC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Which broker is best for NSE IFSC? ›

NSE IFSC Member List
  • Edelweiss Securities (IFSC) Limited.
  • Mansukh IFSC Broking Private Limited.
  • Divya Portfolio (IFSC) Private Limited.
  • Excel Broking (IFSC) Private Limited.
  • Synergy Dealcom (IFSC) Private Limited.
  • GRD Securities IFSC Limited.
  • Gogia Capital IFSC Private Limited.
  • ESTEE IFSC Private Limited.
Feb 16, 2023

How many exchanges are there in IFSC? ›

BSE IFSC allows investors to buy foreign shares directly from more than 130 stock exchanges across more than 31 countries, while NSE IFSC currently only has US stock investing options.

How are US stocks taxed in India? ›

Indian investors are subject to a flat tax rate of 25% on earnings from dividends of US stocks, which is comparatively lower than the tax treatment for other foreign investors due to the US-India tax treaty.

Who is the famous Indian investor in USA? ›

Mohnish Pabrai is an Indian-American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He was born in Bombay (Mumbai), India, on June 12, 1964.

Which is more profitable US stocks or Indian stocks? ›

With the US stock market, this is done in USD naturally. The USD is the global currency by default and is a stronger currency than the INR. Hence, any investments made with the USD in play will bear higher returns. This spells more profit for the investors who invest in US markets.

Can I keep my US stocks after moving back to India? ›

A. Yes, you can continue to reinvest your dividends and capital gains.

Who is the richest option trader in India? ›

Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, also known as "The Big Bull," is among the top 10 traders in India of Indian stock market investors who has amassed a significant fortune through intraday trading and investing.

What is the total demat account in the US? ›

Total demat accounts at the end of fiscal 2020 stood at 40.8 million, up from 35.9 million on 31 March 2019.

Is IFSC code only for India? ›

The Indian IFSC Code is needed for RTGS, NEFT, and IMPS transactions involving a bank account. Using the IFSC code is only necessary for domestic bank transfers inside the country's borders.

Can someone withdraw money with my account number and IFSC code? ›

Simple Answer is NO! Your Account Number is just for the sake of Information. Even someone knows your Account number, its IFSC code & your name, they can only deposit money to your account. With all these 2 information, no one can actually take out money from your account.

Can anyone hack bank account with account number and IFSC code? ›

It is not feasible to withdraw money from a bank account if the only information known is the account number, the IFSC code, and the bank location. In today's world, for every financial activity, any banking firm will provide you with a One-Time Password to verify the transaction.

What is IFSC regulated? ›

The IFSCA is a unified authority for the development and regulation of financial products, financial services and financial institutions in the International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) in India.

What is called IFSC? ›

The Indian Financial System Code is an 11-digit alpha-numeric code that is unique for bank branches that offer online money transfer options. The code is used to identify the bank branch on the National Electronics Funds Transfer (NEFT) network.

What is IFSC unit in India? ›

IFSC Unit has the flexibility to select any 10 years out of 15 years block
  • Interest income paid to non-residents on:- Monies lent to IFSC units not taxable. ...
  • Transfer of specified securities* listed on IFSC exchanges by a non-resident not treated as transfer - Gains accruing thereon not chargeable to tax in India.

What bank details are safe to share? ›

There are some legitimate situations in which someone will require your banking details. In most cases, it's safe to share your bank account number with: Tax filing services to pay for or receive annual tax credits. Your employer to set up direct deposit for recurring paychecks.

What are the benefits of green banking in India? ›

4.2 Benefits of Green Banking Major benefits of green banking are listed below:- • Green banking avoids paper work and makes use of online transactions such as Internet banking, SMS banking and ATM banking. Paperless banking helps in controlling deforestation.

How much tax do I pay on US shares? ›

Long-term capital gains tax rates are 0%, 15% or 20% depending on your taxable income and filing status. Long-term capital gains tax rates are usually lower than those on short-term capital gains. That can mean paying lower taxes on stock sales.

Do I pay tax on US stocks? ›

As with all investments, international investors in the US stock market are subject to taxes on any capital gains or dividends they receive.

What is the maximum limit to invest in US stocks from India? ›

As mandated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Indian mutual funds registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) are allowed to invest overseas with an overall cap of $7 billion. Investments in overseas exchange traded funds (ETFs) have a separate limit of $1 billion.

Which income of NRI is taxable in India? ›

NRI or not, any individual whose income exceeds Rs 2,50,000 is required to file an income tax return in India.

What happens to my stocks if I become NRI? ›

There is no restriction on NRIs investing in Indian mutual fund schemes. Are there any formalities you need to complete on becoming an NRI? As a first step, the investor must get his residency status updated in the KYC (Know Your Customer) records from a 'resident' to a 'non-resident'.

How much NRI can invest in Indian stocks? ›

The limit for NRIs and PIOs stock investments is 10% of an Indian company's paid-up capital. NRIs can also only participate in delivery-based trading. Hence, they cannot participate in intraday and commodity and currency trading but are allowed to trade in F&O.

Which US stock is best to buy now? ›

Best US Stocks
Stock NameTickerMarket Cap
Microsoft CorporationMSFT1.705 T
Amazon.com Inc.AMZN1.089 T
Tesla, Inc.TSLA642.330 B
Johnson & JohnsonJNJ432.395 B
16 more rows

Can I buy US stocks from Zerodha? ›

At present, Zerodha does not facilitate investments in stocks listed on foreign stock exchanges. Still need help?

Which is best international stock market app? ›

The Best Stock Trading Apps
  • Charles Schwab: Best overall.
  • Thinkorswim: Best for active traders.
  • SoFi Invest: Best for beginners.
  • Vanguard: Best for no commission fees.
  • Fidelity Investments: Best for long-term investing.
  • Interactive Brokers: Best for expert traders.
  • Ally Invest: Best for banking and stock trading.
Jun 1, 2023

Can Americans trade on the NSE? ›

To have access to the Indian stock market from the US, you will have to either open an account with an international brokerage firm regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or open an account with a SEBI-registered Indian stockbroker.

Can I trade in NSE from USA? ›

Non Resident Indian (NRIs) can purchase/sell shares/convertible debentures of Indian companies on Stock Exchanges under Portfolio Investment Scheme. For this purpose, the NRI/PIO has to apply to a designated branch of a bank, which deals in Portfolio Investment.

How can I buy stock online without a broker in USA? ›

It is possible to buy stocks without a broker. In fact, there are three alternatives to using a full-service broker: opening an online brokerage account, investing in a dividend reinvestment plan, and investing in a direct stock purchase plan. So, the short answer is yes, you can buy stocks without a broker.

How does NSE IFSC work? ›

NSE IFSC Limited (NSE IFSC) is a fully owned subsidiary company of National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) and applied to the SEBI for in-principle approval to establish an international exchange in Gujarat International Finance Tech City - International Financial Service Centre.

Who is the CEO of NSE IFSC? ›

Zee Business Video Team | Updated: May 24, 2023 09:20 am

SGX NIFTY will be called GIFT NIFTY, says V Balasubramaniam, MD & CEO, NSE IFSC. Watch Anil Singhvi's exclusive interview with V Balasubramaniam, MD & CEO, NSE IFSC.

Who are the directors of NSE IFSC? ›

Directors of Nse Ifsc Clearing Corporation Limited are Kumar Kanakasabapathy, Mukesh Agarwal, Kapil Deepak Seth, Kamalakar Karlapalem, . Nse Ifsc Clearing Corporation Limited's Corporate Identification Number is (CIN) U65990GJ2016PLC094545 and its registration number is 94545.

Which broker is best for US stocks in India? ›

Foreign brokers like TD Ameritrade, Charles Schwab, and Interactive Brokers allow Indian investors to open trading accounts and invest in US stocks. Opening an overseas trading account with a foreign broker may involve more paperwork and verification than opening an account with a domestic broker.

What companies are in the IFSC? ›

  • Company. Category. ...
  • A&L Goodbody LLP. Legal Services. ...
  • Abbey Capital Ltd. Asset Management. ...
  • AGF International Advisors Co Ltd. Asset Management. ...
  • Airbus Financial Services Limited. Finance & Leasing. ...
  • Airbus Helicopters International Services Ltd. Finance & Leasing. ...
  • Amundi Asset Management. Asset Management. ...
  • ANIMA Asset Management Ltd.

How do I open an IFSC? ›

Stepwise Process
  1. Register with an IFSCA registered Trading Member – Anand Rathi International Ventures (IFSC) Pvt Limited and complete the KYC requirements.
  2. Complete documentation for Liberalized Remittance Scheme (LRS) with the bank.

Which brokers allow NSE IFSC? ›

Anand Rathi International Ventures, Edelweiss Securities, Emkay Financial Services, HDFC Securities, Motilal Oswal, and SMC Global are some of the top brokers that have registered themselves with NSE IFSC.

Which brokers support NSE IFSC? ›

NSE IFSC Registered Brokers
Member NameMembership Category*
SGX INDIA CONNECT IFSC PRIVATE LIMITEDTM-SCM
SHARE INDIA SECURITIES (IFSC) PRIVATE LIMITEDTM
SIHL GLOBAL INVESTMENTS (IFSC) PRIVATE LIMITEDTM
SMC GLOBAL IFSC PRIVATE LIMITEDTM-CM
36 more rows
Nov 21, 2022

Is Upstox a NSE IFSC broker? ›

NSE IFSC: Gateway to top US stocks for Indian investors - Upstox.

How to invest in US stocks from India and charges? ›

Opening an Overseas Trading Account with a Foreign Broker

You can also open an overseas trading account directly with a foreign broker with a presence in India. Some such brokerages are Charles Schwab, Ameritrade, Interactive Brokers, etc. Ensure that you understand the fees and charges before opening the account.

Can I buy US stocks through Zerodha? ›

At present, Zerodha does not facilitate investments in stocks listed on foreign stock exchanges. Still need help?

Who is the issuer of NSE IFSC receipts? ›

The NSE IFSC Receipts will be issued and created by the NSE IFSC Receipts Custodian based on the deposit of Underlying Shares received by the U.S. Custodian. The U.S. Custodian will hold the Underlying Shares at the instructions of the NSE IFSC Receipts Custodian.

Can I buy US stocks from Motilal Oswal? ›

The online trading platform of Motilal Oswal allows you to dip your toes in the US stock market.

What is the currency of IFSC? ›

An IFSC is a jurisdiction that provides financial services to non-residents and residents, to the extent permissible under the current regulations, in any currency except Indian Rupee.

How to buy stocks in USA? ›

How To Buy Stocks
  1. Open an Online Brokerage Account to Buy Stock. ...
  2. Research Which Stocks You'd Like to Buy. ...
  3. Execute Trades in Your Account. ...
  4. Use Dollar-Cost Averaging to Buy Stock Over Time. ...
  5. Think Carefully About When to Sell Your Stock.
Apr 6, 2023

Can we transfer money without IFSC? ›

Without the IFSC code, money transfers in and out of India are impossible. It's the equivalent of attempting to send a letter via the mail without a postal code; the message never reaches its destination.

Is HDFC Securities registered with NSE IFSC? ›

NSE International Exchange (NSE IFSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Stock Exchange of India Ltd (NSE), in association with HDFC Bank, has launched trading in India's first Unsponsored Depository Receipts (NSE IFSC Receipts) under the regulatory sandbox framework prescribed by the IFSCA, which will offer ...

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