FIIs reverse selling trend, turn net buyers at ₹1,182 crore; DIIs add ₹2,493 crore

Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) turned net buyers in Indian equities on Monday, purchasing shares worth ₹1,181.66 crore on a provisional basis, according to exchange data.

FIIs purchased securities worth ₹12,332.64 crore and sold ₹11,150.98 crore.

Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) also remained net buyers, adding equities worth ₹2,493.41 crore during the session.

DIIs purchased securities worth ₹15,337.18 crore during the session, while their sales stood at ₹12,843.77 crore.

The combined figures indicate total net institutional buying of approximately ₹3,675.07 crore for the day, with domestic investors accounting for the larger share of the inflows.

The shift in FII flows comes after two consecutive sessions of net selling. FIIs had sold equities worth ₹542.71 crore on a net basis on August 21, compared with ₹583.36 crore of net selling on August 20.

DIIs, meanwhile, have continued to provide buying support. They bought equities worth ₹2,124.14 crore on August 21, although the figure was lower than their ₹3,537.71 crore purchase on the previous session.

Separately Indian equity benchmarks failed to hold their opening gains and ended lower on Monday, with financial stocks emerging as a major drag on the market. The Nifty managed to hold above the 24,200 mark, supported by gains in metal stocks, while midcaps relatively outperformed.

The Sensex fell 172 points to 77,369, while the Nifty declined 33 points to 24,219. The Nifty Bank slipped 236 points to 57,526, whereas the Nifty Midcap index gained 82 points to 63,817. Market breadth was broadly neutral, with 20 Nifty stocks closing higher.

Hindalco, JSW Steel and Dr Reddy's Laboratories were among the top Nifty gainers. On the other hand, SBI Life, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv and Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles were among the biggest losers.

Financials remained under pressure, with PSU banks among the top losing sectors. Most PSU bank stocks ended lower, led by Bank of Baroda and Canara Bank. Defence stocks saw a mixed session, with Cochin Shipyard rising while Hindustan Aeronautics ended lower.

Among individual stocks, Vishal Mega Mart surged 10% after its CEO was re-appointed for five years. Urban Company gained 6% following another positive brokerage note, while Shanti Gears extended its gains, rising 50% over two sessions after the promoter raised its stake.

Gold financiers such as Muthoot Finance and Manappuram Finance rose 2-6% as gold prices surged. Siemens, SAIL and Glenmark Pharma were among the notable midcap gainers.

BLS Services fell 11% amid a widening Schengen visa probe, while the company refuted the allegation. Sugar stocks saw profit booking, with most stocks ending lower and Balrampur Chini Mills falling 5% after recent gains.

Indian Hotels gained after announcing plans to merge Oriental Hotels with itself, while Oriental Hotels rose 2%.

Also Read: FIIs pull out ₹543 crore on Friday as DIIs pump ₹2,124 crore into stocks