Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Overseas Investment Exits Hit a Record High

This month, foreign portfolio investors have sold Indian stocks and bonds the most in two years after a declining rupee made US assets more attractive, and rising global interest rates rendered the carry trade unviable.

Total bond and stock net sales by overseas funds touched a high of Rs 31,984 crore so far this month, show data from National Securities Depository.

“There is a flight to safety amid the improving US economy and rising global rates,” said Ashutosh Khajuria, CFO, Federal Bank. “Pressure has been mounting on the emerging markets. If India demonstrates better performance on macroeconomic indicators like inflation, current account and fiscal deficit, those investors would come back again.”

This year, overseas investors have net sold Rs 93,481 crore of financial assets in India, the highest ever sale at least since 2002, data showed.

US unemployment, a key economic metric for the world’s biggest economy, fell to levels last seen about five decades ago, signaling a strong labour market and rising wages. That would mean the US policymakers would continue to raise headline lending rates.

“Rising US yields along with improving global economies have triggered investment exits from emerging markets,” said Sanjiv Bhasin, Executive VP-Markets, IIFL Securities. Softer oil prices and a stable rupee should reverse the market trend, he said.

“The debt market is going through uncertainties in the non-banking sector. Once it is settled, investors should regain confidence,” Bhasin said.

Two weeks ago, the US benchmark yield climbed to 3.23%, its highest level since May 2011. High US yields are prompting dollar funds to return to US assets that carry no currency risks...

- Source, Economic Times, Read More Here