2024 to see unprecedented foreign inflows: Khemka

India has historically traded at a premium compared to the rest of the emerging markets (EMs), and Prashant Khemka, founder, WhiteOak Capital Management, as he breaks the myth on why India might be in a sweet spot going ahead, too.

- Dipti Sharma

The market veteran believes the months that follow could see a massive influx of foreign money in India dedicated funds, and “if simultaneously the broader EM basket were to see a positive turn, India could attract unprecedented foreign investment".

Although Khemka claims to be sector agnostic, structurally he tends to find more attractive investment opportunities in certain sectors like private sector financials, consumption—staples as well as discretionary, IT, and healthcare. Amid worries over a severe global recession, the market maven expects demand in the IT sector to stabilize and pick up next year. Edited excerpts:

To begin with, after strong buying by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and domestic institutional investors (DIIs) in 2023, how do you see inflows from them in 2024?

India is experiencing a positive trend, this is despite the fact that overall emerging markets as an asset class have seen choppy flows. FII interest in India has been rising recently, and going by the number of enquiries coming in, ensuing months could see a massive influx of foreign money in India dedicated funds. If simultaneously the broader EM basket were to see a positive turn, India could attract unprecedented foreign investment. DIIs have been investing at a very robust pace in the last several years. And this is expected to continue if the market remains stable to upwards or there is no massive correction or pullbacks.

Could the election be a bump in the road for inflows?