Foreign investors sold Indian stocks heavily for most of 2026. Then, in the first week of July, they bought $1.3 billion in four days and added another $272 million on Friday. What changed? A stable currency, lower oil prices, and resilient growth made India look attractive again.
This was set to be the biggest weekly buying spree since at least June of the previous year.
The buying spree followed months of selling. Analysts say the reason is simple: India's outlook improved. The rupee stayed stable.
Oil prices dropped. The domestic economy kept growing. Corporate earnings expectations also got better.
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The shift in foreign sentiment reflects a broader reversal in macroeconomic conditions. Earlier in 2026, a depreciating rupee, elevated oil prices, and global monetary tightening had driven more than $27 billion in outflows. Now, with the rupee stabilizing, Brent crude falling from highs, and domestic growth staying resilient, the factors that prompted selling have turned into tailwinds. Foreign funds, which had become significantly underweight Indian equities, are now rebalancing.
Several macroeconomic tailwinds converged to spark the renewed interest. After falling earlier in the year, the rupee stabilized versus the U.S. dollar, which diminished foreign exchange risk for international funds. Additionally, Brent crude oil prices fell from highs, lowering India's import costs and inflation.
The domestic economy posted resilient growth figures, and corporate earnings forecasts for the second quarter held up well. Combined with the fact that foreign funds were significantly underweight Indian equities, the conditions were ripe for a rebound in buying.
The heavy selling that preceded this surge was driven by similar factors moving in the opposite direction earlier in the year. A depreciating rupee, elevated oil prices, and global monetary tightening had prompted foreign investors to pull out more than $27 billion from Indian equities by mid-2026. That prolonged exodus left foreign portfolios heavily underweight, creating a setup where even modest positive catalysts could trigger a sharp reversal.
Goldman Sachs predicted that more money will flow into Indian equities. In a note dated July 11, strategist Amorita Goel said, "With ultra-light foreign positioning, we see ample room for flows to return." Citigroup noted that Indian stocks offer a favorable risk-reward balance, as valuation levels are still moderate and profit forecasts have remained solid.
Investors are now watching whether this buying can keep going. But with foreign funds still underweight Indian stocks, many analysts think the rally has more room.
The big question is whether foreign buying can sustain the recovery in the Nifty 50. Goldman Sachs expects more inflows. Citigroup points to attractive valuations as earnings forecasts have held up.
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