Foreign investors have pulled out more than Rs 5,500 crore from capital markets so far this month due to global trade war worries coupled with hawkish commentary by the US Federal Reserve.

This comes following a net outflow of over Rs 45,000 crore from capital markets (equity and debt) in the last two months. Prior to that, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) had pumped in Rs 2,600 crore in March.

According to latest data available with depositories, FPIs withdrew Rs 831 crore from equities and Rs 4,683 crore from debt markets during June 1-15, resulting in a total outflow of Rs 5,514 crore.

“Investors were concerned as it was reported that the US President Donald Trump had approved tariffs on about $50 billion of Chinese goods,” said Abhijeet Dey, Senior Fund Manager — Equities at BNP Paribas Mutual Fund.

“Further, the sentiments were dampened due to rate hike and the hawkish commentary by the US Federal Reserve,” said Jayant Manglik President at Religare Broking Ltd.

“We believe one should remain cautious in the market due to global sentiments, movement of Indian Rupee against the US dollar and crude oil prices,” he added.

However, Indian equities had seen some buying from FPIs in the first week of June 2018 on the back of easing of global oil prices from their recent highs.

The easing was premised on expectations that global crude output will increase by at least 1 million barrels per day post June 22 meeting between OPEC members (led by Saudi Arabia) and Russia, said Ajay Bodke CEO and Chief Portfolio Manager at PMS Prabhudas Lilladher.

Further, Bodke had said that the just concluded fourth quarterly results pointed to a revival in corporate earnings (baring corporate focused public and private sector banks) with volume growth in double digits in many sectors such as FMCG, retail, autos among others.

So far this year, FPIs have invested over Rs 2,400 crore in equities and pulled out more than Rs 35,000 crore from the debt market.

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