Strong poll outcome drives inflows into India-focused funds

“Asia ex-Japan Equity Funds again posted the biggest inflows among the four major emerging markets equity fund groups, in dollar terms, taking in US$ 933 million for the week ending May 20,” international fund tracking firm EPFR Global said in a report.

Investors across the world have put in about US$ 6.9 billion in Asia equity funds so far this year, it added.

At the country level, equity funds focused on India, China and Brazil witnessed strong inflows by global investors in the past week.  “India Equity Funds had their second best week year-to-date as voters gave the ruling Congress Party-led coalition a fresh mandate while leaving it less beholden to various Communist parties.”

Shift in investor’s focus

Funds geared for China posted inflows for the eighth consecutive week, while investors shifted some of their focus to markets that supply China with raw materials, committing considerable amount to Brazil Equity Funds.  “Overall all emerging markets equity funds soaked up another US$ 2.46 billion during the third week of May as India’s lengthy election produced the result investors were hoping for, Chinese officials reiterated their determination to lift GDP growth to at least 8 per cent and commodity prices rallied,” the report stated.

The other emerging markets tracked by the firm are, Latin America Equity Funds which absorbed US$ 587 million and diversified Global Emerging Markets (GEM) Equity Funds saw inflows worth US$ 898 million.