FIIs turns net buyers in debt markets after six months

Foreign institutional investors (FII) have turned net buyers in the debt market for the first time in the last six months investing net Rs 594 crore in debt instruments so far this year.

FIIs, so far in 2009, bought debt instruments worth Rs 77,161 crore, while sold instruments valued at Rs 76,566 crore, resulting in a net buy of Rs 594 crore, as per data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi).

FIIs remained net investors  in the debt segment in the first two months (January and February) of this year, but in March they were net sellers.

Heavy buying trend resumed in September and FIIs turned net buyer in the debt segment.

"FIIs are looking for investment in emerging markets and India is preferred choice. In coming days also, overseas firms will continue their investment strategy," Delhi-based Unicon Financial Intermediaries Chief Executive Gajendra Nagpal said.

In equity segment also, foreign fund inflow has witnessed significant rise in recent time. In first nine-months of this calendar year, overseas inflow in domestic stock markets has crossed a whopping $11 billion (Rs 54,000 crore) mark.