In April alone, they snapped up shares worth Rs 19,664 crore, recording their biggest buy since October 2024.
Fixed deposits from nationalised banks delivered higher returns than equities, outperforming both inflation and stock market benchmarks.
Amidst a sharp run-up in gold and silver prices, investors are advised to rebalance their portfolios by booking partial profits in precious metals and reallocating to domestic equities and debt, according to financial experts.
The global artificial intelligence (AI) boom has significantly reshaped equity markets, with Taiwan surpassing India to become the world's fifth-largest stock market. India has seen its market capitalisation decline by 7% year-to-date, while AI-linked economies like Taiwan and South Korea have surged.
Net investments into equity mutual fund schemes in India remained elevated at approximately 38,440 crore in April, despite a slight dip from March's high and a 3% month-on-month decline in Systematic Investment Plan (SIP) inflows.
Preferential equity listings in India reached an unprecedented 1,307 in FY26, marking a 33% increase from the previous year and reflecting a strategic choice for companies during market volatility.
Indian equity markets, including the Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant downturn for the second consecutive day, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia and persistent foreign fund outflows.
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have withdrawn Rs 27,048 crore from Indian equities so far in May, bringing the total outflows for 2026 to Rs 2.2 lakh crore, driven by global macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties.
'In India's case, an extended earnings slowdown accompanied by rich valuations have dimmed returns since late 2024.'
Indian equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty surged nearly 1 per cent, driven by strong earnings reports from FMCG and auto sectors, alongside a rally in Asian markets and signs of de-escalation in geopolitical tensions.
Indian mutual funds have significantly reduced their exposure to the information technology (IT) sector, with holdings now at an eight-year low of 6.7% in April 2026, driven by weak earnings growth, global demand slowdown, and concerns over AI-led disruption.
Indian equities are experiencing their sharpest rebound in years, with the BSE 500 index rallying 12.1 per cent so far this month, echoing Covid-era recoveries despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and earnings risks.
The Indian rupee gained 2 paise to settle at 93.33 against the US dollar, driven by positive sentiment in domestic equity markets and renewed hopes for US-Iran talks, despite rising WPI and CPI inflation.
Indian companies recorded their highest profit margins in 21 quarters during Q4FY26, reaching 11.3 per cent, primarily due to significant savings from lower employee costs and reduced interest payments, which offset rising raw material prices.
Net inflows into equity mutual fund schemes moderated in FY26, falling by 27 per cent to about 3 trillion till February, as choppy markets and global uncertainties prompted investors to shift towards safer options like hybrid funds and gold ETFs.
Trent reported a 20 per cent revenue rebound in Q4FY26, driven by a recovery in like-for-like growth and significant store additions. The company's board has approved raising up to 2,500 crore in equity to fund investments in store network upgrades, new brands, supply chain automation, and Star Bazaar expansion, alongside a 1:2 bonus issue and a 6 dividend.
Indian insurance companies are bracing for reduced profitability in Q4FY26, primarily due to the rationalisation of GST on retail life and health policies, leading to a loss of input tax credit, coupled with volatility in equity markets impacting investment income.
'In my entire career, whenever friends, relatives, or associates have sought my counsel, I have told them consistently: Stay away from equities. Buy gold. Place funds in fixed deposits. Acquire some raw land.' 'That is all one genuinely needs to build meaningful, enduring wealth, without the attendant anxiety of equity market participation.'
India's mutual fund industry has significantly increased its share of public trading in the stock market, widening its lead over the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) for the fifth consecutive year. While LIC's share of free-float listed shares has fallen to 7.42% as of March 2026, the mutual fund industry's share has surged to 22.92% from 7.06% in 2012.
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed marginally lower due to profit-taking, following the Reserve Bank of India's decision to keep the repo rate unchanged while lowering its growth expectations for the current fiscal year and forecasting higher inflation.
Indian equities trading activity saw a moderation in FY26, with cash market turnover declining and derivatives growth remaining subdued due to regulatory tightening and weak market performance. Further impacts are expected from new RBI norms and a hike in Securities Transaction Tax (STT).
Listed capital market companies in India delivered strong fourth-quarter earnings growth, with a universe of 12 firms posting 30 per cent year-on-year revenue growth and 19 per cent earnings growth in Q4FY26, despite mark-to-market (MTM) losses impacting headline profitability for some.
LAMF allows investors to access liquidity while staying invested.
Indian equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant tumble in early trade, with the Sensex tanking nearly 700 points, driven by uncertainty surrounding US-Iran negotiations, a fresh spike in crude oil prices, and persistent foreign fund outflows.
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) withdrew nearly Rs 33,000 crore from Indian equities in May, bringing the total outflow for 2026 to Rs 2.25 lakh crore, driven by weak earnings growth, rupee depreciation, and more attractive opportunities in other global markets.
Most actively-managed equity mutual fund schemes outperformed their benchmarks despite volatility across domestic equity markets during the past year.
Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar's annual compensation increased by 28 per cent to $21.5 million in 2025, while CFO Jatin Dalal's compensation dropped by 30 per cent to $7.08 million, according to a recent proxy statement.
Earlier, most investors counted on traditional options like fixed deposits, gold, or property. But in 2026, you will have access to a much wider range of opportunities across different markets and sectors.
Indian IT stocks experienced a significant downturn following OpenAI's acquisition of consulting firm Tomoro, intensifying fears that global AI companies are encroaching on traditional IT service models through end-to-end consulting and implementation services.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) announced a significant 23 per cent increase in its net profit for the March quarter, reaching Rs 23,420 crore, alongside a rise in total income and premium collections.
Lalit Modi claimed Shashi Tharoor warned him not to question Sunanda Pushkar and threatened government action if he proceeded.
RIS Steady Life Cycle begins with an equity allocation of 35 per cent at age 60, which gradually reduces. Between ages 75 and 85, it remains constant at 10 per cent.
The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of a stake in AI acceleration cloud provider Neysa Networks by Blackstone-backed private equity funds and other investors, following Neysa's announcement of a USD 1.2 billion capital raise.
Hybrid mutual fund schemes attracted significant inflows of Rs 1.55 lakh crore in FY26, a 29 per cent increase, as investors increasingly opted for diversified investment strategies to navigate volatile market conditions and geopolitical tensions.
The highlight in January, with no surprise, has been flows into gold and silver ETFs.
Nomura has increased its March 2027 target for the Nifty 50 to 25,900, driven by strong corporate earnings and attractive market valuations, even as risks from the West Asia conflict and high oil prices persist.
Overseas travel spending by Indians, including holiday trips, decreased by $212.43 million to $1.09 billion in March compared to February, according to the Reserve Bank of India's latest data.
Trade deals ease risks for Indian equities, but weak demand and stretched valuations raise questions over whether optimism -- especially in smallcaps -- can turn into a sustained bull run, points out Debashis Basu.
Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, saw gains in early trade, driven by strong performance in banking shares and positive sentiment from Asian markets, alongside optimism surrounding the ongoing US-China Summit.
The Indian rupee depreciated 16 paise to settle at a fresh lifetime low of 96.86 against the US dollar, marking its ninth consecutive session of decline, driven by elevated global crude prices and a strong dollar.
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