Hindalco, ITC and Avenue Supermarts most bought stocks by mutual funds

On the other hand, shares of Reliance Industries were the most liquidated

Net inflows into equity mutual funds were strong at more than Rs 8,200 crore in March despite a sharp rebound in the market from the demonetisation lows in December last year. Most-bought and most-sold shares by money managers make an interesting read, given the sharp run-up in stock prices and lofty valuations. Aluminum manufacturer Hindalco Industries emerged as the most-bought stock, with equity MFs pumping in Rs 1,941 crore in it. Consumer-oriented stocks such as ITC and Avenue Supermarts too saw healthy buying. Other top picks included Indian Oil, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and State Bank of India. 

On the other hand, shares of Reliance Industries, which had jumped nearly 40 per cent in the past few weeks, were the most liquidated. Fund managers released about 3.8 million shares of the oil-to-telecom major from their portfolios. Axis Bank was second on their selling list. Apart from this, IT stocks were largely given the sell call during March. 

According to fund managers, given the global uncertainties and uncomfortable valuations in the mid- and small-cap space, it's large-cap ones which they prefer. The sudden increase in FII inflows into large-cap stocks also forced them to rush to buy those shares, the said. Large-cap stocks would continue to be preferred, they say.  Large-cap stocks in the financial sector, oil, metals, FMCG and auto offer a good buying opportunity even at current prices.