Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) vs. Domestic Institutional Investors (DII)
- Tushar Sewaiwar
- 4 min read
- 01 Jan 2024
What are FII and DII?
FII (Foreign Institutional Investors):
- FIIs are investors that invest in financial assets of a country in which they do not reside.
- They can be mutual funds, insurance companies, or any other institutional investors from a foreign country.
- FIIs are required to register with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to conduct their operations in India.
- They are also referred to as Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs).
- Due to currency fluctuations, FIIs can either gain or incur significant losses in their investments.
DII (Domestic Institutional Investors):
DIIs are Indian entities that invest in the country’s financial instruments and securities.
Their investments span across the stock market, insurance companies, mutual funds, and other financial instruments.
– Their investment decisions are influenced by both political and economic factors.
– DIIs play a pivotal role in stabilizing the stock market, especially when FIIs are net sellers.
| Investor Type | Definition | Examples | Regulatory Framework |
| FII (Foreign Institutional Investor) | An investor or fund registered outside India but invests in the Indian markets. | Foreign mutual funds, insurance companies | Must register with SEBI |
| DII (Domestic Institutional Investor) | An institution based in and investing within India. | Indian mutual funds, insurance companies, banks | Governed by Indian regulations |
Comparative Analysis: FII vs. DII
- Origin: FIIs invest from outside the country, whereas DIIs are based within the country they are investing in.
- Investment Restrictions: FIIs are restricted to invest up to 24% of a company’s total paid-in capital. DIIs face no such limitation.
- Market Share: FIIs have ownership in approximately 21% of the companies in the Nifty 500, compared to DIIs, who own about 14%.
- Investment Horizon: FIIs typically look for short to medium-term investments, while DIIs tend to have a longer-term investment horizon.
| Criteria | FIIs | DIIs |
| Origins | Foreign countries | India |
| Investment Restrictions | Up to 24% of a company’s total paid-in capital | No specific restrictions |
| Market Presence in Nifty 500 | ~21% | ~14% |
| Duration of Investments | Short to medium-term | Long-term |
4. Significance of FIIs and DIIs
| Investor’s Impact | Significance |
| FIIs | – Bring foreign capital into India. Often influence short-term market movements. |
| DIIs | – Provide depth and stability to the market. Channel domestic savings into investments. |
Types of FIIs and DIIs:
FIIs Include:
1. Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF):
These are state-managed investment funds sourced mainly from the country’s reserves. SWFs benefit the nation’s economy and its people.
2. Foreign Agencies:
Authorized foreign entities engaged in welfare activities as mandated by the laws of their home countries.
3. Multilateral Organizations:
Groups where multiple countries collaborate to address mutual concerns. These organizations ensure equal representation and legality in global affairs.
4. Foreign Central Banks:
These are the chief monetary authorities in a foreign country, holding the currency reserves and implementing monetary policy.
DIIs Include:
1. Insurance Companies:
Their prominence has grown significantly in India, offering financial security against severe illnesses or unexpected deaths.
2. Mutual Funds:
A prevalent investment vehicle in India, mutual funds pool funds and invest based on individual risk appetites.
3. Banks & Other Financial Institutions:
These entities provide diverse services such as loans and insurance. They also invest their earnings in equity markets.
| Investor Classification | FIIs | DIIs |
| Funds & Banks | – Sovereign Wealth Funds Foreign Central Banks | – Insurance Companies Banks & Other Financial Institutions |
| Agencies & Organizations | – Foreign Agencies Multilateral Organizations | – Mutual Funds |
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, both FIIs and DIIs have distinct roles and impacts on the Indian financial market. While FIIs bring foreign capital and can influence market movements substantially, DIIs provide stability and depth to the market. Both are integral to the robustness and growth of India’s economy.
FAQs
FII refers to Foreign Institutional Investor, and DII denotes Domestic Institutional Investor. While FIIs operate from outside India, DIIs are based within the country. Both invest in the Indian stock market, but their investment goals and tactics differ.
FII investments introduce foreign capital to the Indian stock market, enhancing its liquidity and expansion. Moreover, FIIs often possess a deeper understanding of investments compared to local investors, leading to improved market price determination.
FIIs can exhibit investment volatility, implying they might rapidly pull out from the Indian market upon detecting potential issues. Such actions can drastically reduce the market’s worth. Furthermore, FIIs aren’t bound by the regulations that govern domestic investors, potentially giving them an undue edge.
DIIs tend to adopt a long-term investment approach, offering the Indian stock market more consistency. Their familiarity with the Indian market dynamics and associated risks means they’re less prone to hasty selling during market fluctuations.
DIIs might lack the extensive resources available to FIIs, hindering their ability to conduct thorough stock research. They might also be more influenced by India’s political and economic scenarios, affecting their investment choices.
Generally, FIIs might appeal to those seeking short-term profits and ready to embrace higher risks. On the other hand, DIIs might be suitable for those aiming for sustained growth and a steadier investment. Both play an important role in markets and it cannot be truly said that one is better than the other.
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