Foreign investors bought Indian shares, derivatives worth $1 billion

Foreign funds bought Indian cash shares and derivatives worth $1 billion on Monday when Indian shares rose to a record high after the main opposition party, widely seen by investors as being more business friendly, swept recent state elections.

Foreign investors were buyers of Rs 2,473 crore in Indian equities on Monday, their biggest single day buying since September 19, regulatory and exchange data show.

Overseas investors also bought Indian equity derivatives worth Rs 3,737 crore on Monday, exchange data shows.

Foreign investors have bought Rs 1 trillion so far this year in shares, making these capital flows vital for India's current account balance.

Going forward, the focus of the market would shift to the FOMC meeting on December 17-18 and expectations about the Fed tapering.

Consumer inflation data due on Thursday would be the key to gauge if the central bank will tighten its monetary policy on December 18.

Copyright Thomson Reuters 2013