Amid geopolitical concerns and the potential of a rate hike by the US Federal Reserve, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) have withdrawn out a net Rs 18,856 crore from Indian markets so far in February.

According to depositories statistics, overseas investors withdrew Rs 15,342 crore from the stock market and Rs 3,629 crore from the bond market between February 1 and 18. They also invested Rs 115 crore in hybrid instruments at the same time. This corresponds to a net outflow of Rs 18,856 crore for the month, making February the sixth month in a row that foreign funds have left the country.

FPI withdrawals from Indian equities markets have recently been motivated by geopolitical tensions and the possibility of a rate hike by the US Federal Reserve. They accelerated their selling once the US Federal Reserve signalled that the ultra-loose monetary policy environment was coming to an end.

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