FPIs stay in buying mode, consumer services lead sectoral inflows in first half of July

Mumbai: Overseas investors remained net buyers across sectors in the first half of July, marking a second consecutive fortnight of inflows and the strongest purchase since early February, according to NSDL data.Consumer services, including e-commerce and hotels, attracted the highest foreign buying during the period, followed by metals and mining and healthcare.

In contrast, automobiles and auto components, capital goods and telecom witnessed the highest outflows.

Of the 24 sectors tracked, 15, including banks and IT, got flows, while eight saw outflows.

132549053"The biggest highlight of this period is that after months of consistent selling in IT, FIIs have turned marginal buyers this fortnight, suggesting the sector may have bottomed out," said Apurva Sheth, head of research, Samco Securities.

"Metals and mining remain a long-term structural theme despite recent underperformance, making it an attractive buying opportunity for both FIIs and domestic investors."Read more: FPIs stage strong comeback in financials with record fortnightly inflows in 2026In IT, they were moderate buyers worth ₹60 crore after pulling out over ₹34,000 crore from these shares in 2026 till June, the second-highest selling in a sector after banks.

Banks received flows worth ₹1,975 crore in the first half of July after getting ₹3,371 crore in June.

So far in 2026, they have sold bank shares worth over ₹1 lakh crore.Foreign investors net bought shares worth ₹15,560 crore across sectors during July 1-15, after pumping over ₹14,000 crore in the second half of June as well, according to NSDL data."Foreign investors have turned buyers following the decline in energy prices after the Middle East ceasefire eased geopolitical concerns," said Pankaj Pandey, head of fundamental research, ICICI Direct.

"We have also seen short covering in index heavyweights ahead of the earnings season, while the strong buying in metal stocks has come as a surprise given their recent underperformance." ...