A steady decline in the value of the Indian rupee, combined with a strong appetite for portfolio diversification, is pushing a growing number of Indian investors to seek opportunities in international stock markets. Data reveals a significant surge in capital flowing from India to global exchanges, with iconic US technology firms becoming the preferred assets for these investors.
The Numbers Behind the Global Shift
According to a recent report from global investing platform Vested Finance, Indian investors deployed a substantial $1.6 billion into global markets during the fiscal year 2025. This marks a dramatic increase from just $400 million recorded a few years ago, highlighting a rapidly accelerating trend. The investor base is notably young and widespread, with participants hailing from over 145 cities across India and nearly half being under the age of 35.
The report, released on Monday, December 16, 2025, notes that the average Indian investor in global markets holds a portfolio of 11 international securities, which includes stocks and Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). A key driver behind this strategic move is the persistent depreciation of the Indian currency. The rupee has been weakening against the US dollar at an average rate of roughly 3% per year for over a decade, making overseas assets increasingly attractive as a hedge.
Building High-Conviction Global Portfolios
Indian investors are not making casual bets but are deliberately constructing long-term, high-conviction portfolios. On average, each investor holds eight individual stocks, focusing on companies perceived as market and technology leaders. The top stock holdings, in order of preference, are a who's who of global tech: Tesla, Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Meta Platforms, Google-parent Alphabet, AMD, and Broadcom.
"Most of the money goes into stocks, usually the companies people recognise and believe in," the Vested report stated, analyzing how Indians invest their first $100 abroad. To balance these stock picks, a significant portion of funds is allocated to ETFs, which provide stability and diversification with less effort. A small cash reserve is also maintained to manage timing or currency fluctuations.
From Curiosity to Strategic Conviction
The investment behavior indicates a maturation of intent. "Global investing for Indians has moved from curiosity to conviction," said Viram Shah, Founder & CEO of Vested Finance. He emphasized that the data shows not just higher participation but greater strategic thinking, with investors focusing on asset allocation, diversification, and securing long-term global exposure rather than placing one-off speculative bets.
While systematic investment plans (SIPs) in global stocks are still nascent at a 2% adoption rate, the practice is slowly gaining traction. Furthermore, the investment scope is broadening beyond single stocks to include US equities, index and thematic ETFs, private market opportunities, and funds domiciled in GIFT City.
An interesting reverse trend is also emerging, where global Indians are using international platforms to invest back into Indian markets. This underscores the platform's role in facilitating seamless cross-border capital movement for a new generation of financially savvy Indians.
