Stocks attract $7.62 billion foreign funds this year

Overseas investors bought a net Rs 208 crore ($43.7 million) of Indian stocks yesterday, taking their total investments in equities this year to $7.62 billion, the nation’s market regulator said on Thursday.

Funds purchased Rs 2,781 crore of shares and sold shares worth Rs 2,574 crore, the Securities & Exchange Board of India said. They bought a net Rs 2,681 crore of bonds.

Global investors have purchased a net Rs 36,840 crore of stocks since January 1, fueling a 65 per cent gain in the benchmark Sensitive Index this year. They withdrew a record Rs 53,000 crore in 2008, triggering the biggest annual drop.

Overseas investors sold a net Rs 934 crore of debt this year, compared with Rs 11,800 crore of purchases in 2008.

Foreign investors have bought $62.8 billion of stocks since they were allowed into India in 1993.

Domestic mutual funds bought a net Rs 25.4 crore of shares and Rs 216 crore of bonds yesterday.

The regulator provides data on shares bought and sold by big investors, including trades in the primary and secondary markets, with a delay of at least a day.