Definition
FIIs (also called FPIs — Foreign Portfolio Investors) are overseas funds, hedge funds, and pension funds that invest in Indian equities. DIIs include Indian mutual funds, insurance companies (LIC), and pension funds (EPFO).
Every trading day, NSE and SEBI publish the aggregate buy value, sell value, and net value for both categories. A "net positive" FII flow means foreign institutions bought more than they sold that day.
Why it matters
FIIs and DIIs collectively hold roughly 35–40% of NSE-listed company ownership. When they buy or sell aggressively, it moves markets. A sustained FII sell-off of ₹3,000–5,000 crore per day typically correlates with Nifty declines.
The FII–DII dynamic is critical. In 2022–23, FIIs sold over ₹1.5 lakh crore but DIIs absorbed most of it with strong mutual fund inflows. That DII support prevented a larger correction.
For individual investors, flow data provides context. If a stock is falling but DIIs are buying, the move may be temporary. If both FIIs and DIIs are selling, caution is warranted.
How to use the data
Look at cumulative flows over 5–10 day windows rather than single days. One day of FII selling means little; ten consecutive days of selling is a trend.
Compare flow direction with market breadth. If FIIs are selling but advance/decline ratios remain positive, the selling is likely concentrated in a few large-caps and the broader market is healthy.
aftermarkets shows both daily and cumulative FII/DII data with trend visualization, making it easy to spot regime changes in institutional behavior.