Finance

IT and Pharmaceutical Sectors Primed for FII Influx Post Rate Hike Cycle

Published December 16, 2023

The information technology (IT) and pharmaceutical sectors are posited to be the primary beneficiaries of foreign institutional investor (FII) inflows in the wake of the interest rate hike cycle. Notably, in companies like Wipro WIPRO.NS, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) TCS.NS, LTIMindtree LTIM.NS, and Infosys INFY.NS, FII stakes have registered a decrease of 2 to 3 percentage points from their peak holdings during the rate hike cycle. In the case of Tech Mahindra TECHM.NS, this gap is even more pronounced, amounting to a 9 percentage point difference. The anticipation is that, with a turn in the rate cycle, there will be a resurgence of significant deal wins from large clients in these sectors.

Resilience of the IT Sector

The IT sector, a potent mix of established players and burgeoning enterprises, has historically demonstrated robustness in the face of economic headwinds. FII's inclination towards these stocks, despite a reduction from peak holdings, signals a potential strategic positioning for the upcoming period of rate deceleration. The undulating performances of the aforementioned companies in stock markets could translate to enhanced FII engagement and an ensuing upturn in investment flows.

Pharmaceuticals - A Sector of Sustained Growth

Similarly, the pharmaceutical sector has exhibited continual progress, majorly attributed to perpetual innovation and an expansive global market. The impending interest rate dip presents a valuable opening for FIIs to allocate funds into a sphere that could offer consistent returns, underscored by a possibly healthier global economic landscape and revitalized consumer spending.

Overall, as the rate hike cycle reaches its inflection point, forward-thought investing in resilient sectors like IT and pharmaceuticals becomes paramount. Tapping into these flows may herald a period of amplified market activity and potentially lucrative investments in proven companies that are now, more than ever, on the radar of shrewd international investors.

IT, pharma, FII