Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) are investors or entities seeking to invest in the financial markets of a country other than their own. FIIs are important to emerging economies because they bring funds and capital to businesses in developing countries.
In the context of India, this can be particularly relevant because the nation is home to a vibrant and growing financial market.
What are Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)?
A Foreign Institutional Investor (FII) can be an investment fund or investor who invests in a foreign country. The foreign country refers to a country where the investor is not headquartered or registered. FII is officially and popularly used in India to describe a category of foreign investors who are invested in the country’s financial markets.
Key points to understand about FIIs
- Investment in overseas economies: FII investments are typically made with the aim of earning profits, diversifying their portfolios, and capitalising on growth opportunities in foreign economies.
- Regulation in India: SEBI is responsible for regulating and supervising foreign institutional investments in the Indian financial markets. The regulation ensures that FIIs adhere to the prescribed rules and guidelines for investing in India.
- Investment ceilings: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plays a crucial role in controlling the level of FII participation in the Indian markets. RBI sets investment ceilings or limits to regulate the amount of foreign investments in various financial instruments. This is done to prevent excessive foreign influence on the Indian financial system and to maintain stability.
- Types of FIIs: FIIs encompass a wide array of institutional investors. In the context of India, the following types of entities are commonly categorised as FIIs:
- Hedge funds
- Sovereign wealth funds
- Foreign mutual funds
- Trusts
- Pension funds
- Asset Management Companies
- University funds and endowments
These entities often bring diverse investment strategies and financial expertise to the Indian market, contributing to its overall dynamism and liquidity.
How FIIs work?
FIIs must be registered with SEBI to be eligible to invest in the Indian financial market. Specific investment prerequisites may still vary based on the type of FIIs. In India, FIIs can also invest in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and the secondary markets. In addition, FIIs can also invest in various forms of government securities, including non-convertible bonds, credit-enhanced bonds, commercial papers, and units of schemes.
Types of Foreign Institutional Investors
Now that the meaning of FIIs is clear, let us take a look at the different types of foreign institutional investors described below:
Sovereign wealth fund
This refers to a government-owned investment fund that manages a nation’s surplus wealth and reserves. Its main goal is to fund national projects or to grow and protect the country’s wealth for future generations.
Foreign government agencies
This refers to entities controlled or directly owned by foreign governments. They are tasked with investing in other countries' financial markets. They aim to bring stability to their foreign exchange reserves, generate returns, or enhance economic or diplomatic relations.
International multilateral organisations
These organisations, which have representation from multiple countries, are set up to tackle financial and economic challenges around the globe. They promote development, extend financial assistance, and propagate overall economic stability among nations.
Foreign central banks
These are the central monetary institutions of other countries. Central banks are responsible for holding foreign exchange reserves, which stabilise currency exchange rates and promote international trade and stability.
FII example
Imagine a large Canadian pension fund. They decide to invest a substantial amount of money in a group of Indian companies involved in renewable energy projects. These companies are listed on the Indian stock exchange.
The Canadian pension fund takes a significant stake in these companies, showing their confidence in the future of renewable energy in India. By doing this, they not only potentially benefit from the growth of these Indian companies but also contribute to India's green energy initiatives.
Now, individual Canadians who are part of this pension fund, from teachers to government workers, indirectly participate in this investment. They might not have the time or expertise to pick Indian stocks themselves, but by being part of the pension fund, they share in the rewards of India's renewable energy boom.
In India, the role of foreign institutional investors (FIIs) can be as diverse as supporting green initiatives, like in this case, or investing in various sectors to boost the overall financial market. FIIs like this Canadian pension fund help drive investment, contribute to specific industries, and provide opportunities for people far from India to be part of its economic growth.
What are the benefits of FIIs?
When FIIs invest in Indian financial assets such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, it contributes to the liquidity and depth of the Indian capital markets. This liquidity can enhance market efficiency and reduce volatility, making the financial markets more attractive to domestic as well as foreign investors.
Another benefit of FIIs is the diversification they bring to the Indian market. By investing in Indian securities, FIIs offer domestic investors exposure to foreign markets and investment opportunities they might not have otherwise accessed. This diversification can help investors manage risk and potentially improve their investment returns.
Role and functions of Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)
Foreign institutional investors enjoy considerable sway in the country's financial market. They directly contribute to the globalisation of a market. We have highlighted the most prominent functions of FIIs below:
Inflow of capital
With FIIs, foreign capital starts flowing into the financial market. For the host nation, this can lead to economic prosperity as businesses can secure funds to fuel research and development, expansion, and job creation.
Market liquidity
As FIIs frequently buy and sell assets, they help improve the financial market's liquidity. This also improves market efficiency, as a balance is maintained between the bears and bulls.
Influence over asset prices
FIIs can substantially impact asset prices in emerging markets. Excessive buying puts upward movement pressure on the price, while substantial market exits can cause the prices to drop significantly.
Market information
Typically, FIIs enter a foreign financial market only after conducting robust research and engaging in a thorough analysis. These insights, made available in the market, improve the overall awareness among traders.
Advocating for enhanced corporate governance
FIIs are big proponents of bringing about improvements in corporate governance practices. This also nudges companies in the right direction to improve their processes.
Influencing economic indicators
Economic indicators like inflation and interest rates, GDP growth, etc., are impacted by FIIs and their investment decisions.
The impact of FIIs on the Indian stock markets
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) play a significant role in shaping the dynamics of the Indian stock markets and have a broad impact on the country's economy. Here are the ways in which FIIs influence the Indian stock markets:
1.Market volatility:
- FIIs are a major driver of stock market volatility in India. When FIIs increase their investments in Indian stocks, it often leads to a rise in the Indian capital market index. Conversely, a decrease in FII investments can result in a decline in the market index. This sensitivity to FII flows can cause fluctuations in stock prices and overall market sentiment.
2.Inflow in market instruments:
- FIIs contribute to the Indian stock market by bringing in significant funds. This influx of capital has several positive effects:
- It encourages financial innovation as new investment opportunities and instruments are developed to accommodate the increased capital.
- FIIs help develop hedging instruments, which can be used to manage risks and provide stability in the financial markets.
- The presence of FIIs can lead to improvements in market efficiency, as their participation often aligns asset prices with economic fundamentals.
- FIIs also contribute to the stability of India's balance of payments by injecting foreign capital into the country.
3.Economic development:
- FIIs play a crucial role in shaping the course of developing or emerging economies like India. They bring several advantages:
- FIIs facilitate a healthy inflow of equity capital, which strengthens the capital structure of Indian companies and helps bridge investment gaps.
- They promote financial market competition, which, in turn, aligns asset prices with underlying economic fundamentals.
- FIIs contribute to economic development by improving capital markets and promoting financial innovation, which can spur economic growth.
However, it is important to note that most developing countries, including India, implement regulatory measures to limit the influence of FIIs and mitigate potential risks. These measures include:
- Setting investment ceilings, such as the 24% limit on the paid-up capital of Indian companies and the 20% limit for public sector banks in India.
- These limits are in place to control the extent of FII influence on financial markets and to prevent excessive damage in the event of a massive outflow of foreign investments.
Additional read: Stock market vs commodity market
Where can foreign institutional investors invest in India?
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have several investment opportunities in India. They can invest in various financial instruments and assets, as outlined in the reference content. Here is an explanation of where FIIs can invest in India:
1.Primary and secondary market securities
- FIIs can invest in primary market securities, such as shares, debentures, or company warrants issued by Indian companies.This involves directly participating in initial public offerings (IPOs) and other new issuances.
- They can also invest in secondary market securities, which include shares and other financial instruments traded on recognised stock exchanges in India.
2.Units of domestic fund house schemes
- FIIs can invest in units of schemes offered by domestic fund houses, including entities like the Unit Trust of India. These units represent participation in various mutual fund schemes.
- These unit schemes can be both listed and unlisted on recognised stock exchanges.
3.Units of collective investment schemes
- FIIs can explore investment opportunities in units of collective investment schemes. These schemes are designed to pool funds from multiple investors and invest them in various assets.
4.Derivatives trading
- FIIs can participate inderivatives trading on recognised stock exchanges in India. Derivatives include financial contracts based on underlying assets like stocks, indices, or commodities.
5.Government securities and commercial papers
- FIIs can invest in Dated Government Securities issued by the Indian government.
- They can also invest in commercial papers issued by Indian establishments, corporations, organisations, or firms, which are short-term debt instruments.
6.Credit enhanced rupee-denominated bonds
- FIIs can consider investing in credit-enhanced bonds denominated in Indian rupees. These bonds are backed by credit enhancements or guarantees to mitigate credit risk.
7.Indian depository receipts (IDRs) and security receipts
- FIIs can invest in Indian depository receipts, which are financial instruments representing ownership in shares of foreign companies that are listed on Indian stock exchanges.
- Security receipts are another option, representing interests in assets converted into marketable securities by financial institutions.
8.Non-convertible bonds (NCBs) in the infrastructure sector:
- FIIs can invest in both listed and unlisted non-convertible bonds or debentures issued by Indian companies operating in the infrastructure sector. The classification of "infrastructure" follows the guidelines for External Commercial Borrowings (ECB).
9.Non-convertible bonds (NCBs) in the NBFC sector:
- FIIs can invest in NCBs or debentures issued by companies belonging to the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFC) sector. The Reserve Bank of India categorizes some of these companies as Infrastructure Finance Companies (IFCs).
10.Rupee-denominated bonds by infrastructure debt funds:
- FIIs have the opportunity to invest in rupee-denominated bonds issued by infrastructure debt funds. These funds focus on financing infrastructure projects in India.
Additional read: How to invest in US stocks from India
Differences Between FDI And FII
Foreign Institutional Investment (FII) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) both bring funds into a country’s financial market from foreign countries. However, there are significant differences between the two inflows. Let us examine these from the table below:
Aspect | FII | FDI |
Definition | Foreign organisations or entities investing in a country’s financial market.
| Refers to investment made by a foreign organisation or entity in a business of the host country. This covers acquiring stakes in foreign companies. |
Approach | Purchasing stocks of foreign companies without seeking control. | Establishing subsidiaries, joint ventures, or engaging in M&As as the primary goal is to gain control of a business. |
Duration | Short-term, involving buying and selling securities based on goals. | Long-term commitment, such as opening a subsidiary. |
Motivation | Benefiting from capital appreciation and portfolio diversification. | Establishing a strong foothold in the host country. |
Risk | Primarily concerned with market risks. | Subject to business, company, and market risks. |
The bottom line
In conclusion, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) play a pivotal role in the Indian financial markets, providing a crucial link between global capital and India's economic growth. This not only benefits these foreign institutions but also opens up opportunities for private investors abroad to access India's growth potential. Moreover, the presence of FIIs contributes to market volatility, financial innovation, and overall market efficiency.
