India’s stock market and related exchange traded funds are garnering more attention as investors look at the country’s rising middle class, relatively stable economic and political environment and cheaper rupee.
For instance, foreign institutional investments funneled $20 billion into India’s markets over 2012, the second highest calendar year inflow since 1993, writes Nathaniel Matherson for The Motley Fool. Global quantitative easing measures helped push more money into the emerging markets, and with continued quantitative easing, institutional investments may not end anytime soon. [India ETFs Lead Emerging Markets in Early 2013]
Investors who are interested in gaining access to India can take a look at a number of India related ETFs.
The EGShares India Infrastructure Fund (NYSEArca: INXX) is an interesting play as India is expected to spend $1 trillion in infrastructure projects over the next five years. INXX tries to reflect the performance of the Indxx India Infrastructure Index. Sub-sector allocations include industrials 36.3%, utilities 26.2%, basic materials 13.6%, telecom 10.1%, financials 7.3%, oil & gas 5.0% and consumer services 1.5%.
The EGShares India Consumer Fund (NYSEArca: INCO) offers exposure to India’s consumer sector. Potential investors should be aware that India’s annual consumer price inflation is above 10% and food prices are rising, which would pressure middle class spending. Nevertheless, income growth should help the sector in the years to come. INCO’s sub-sector allocations include personal goods 21.2%, food producers 18.1%, beverages 13.6%, mdia 13.2%, industrial engineering 8.9%, automobiles 8.5%, travel & leisure 7.6%, tobacco 5.4%, leisure goods 1.6%, general retalers 1.0% and household goods/construction 1.0%.