FII/DII Weekly Scorecard: July 18, 2026 — FIIs net buy, DIIs net sell

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net sellers of ₹5,780 crore this week ending July 18, 2026, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net buyers of ₹11,123 crore, revealing a significant divergence as Nifty closed at 24334.3 and Sensex at 78151.0.

FIIs Retreat as DIIs Dominate in a Week of Contrasting Flows

The trading week of July 13th to July 18th, 2026, presented a stark dichotomy in institutional flows, with Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) exhibiting a net selling posture of ₹5,780 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) aggressively deployed capital, marking a net buying of ₹11,123 crore. This divergence, a recurring theme in recent sessions, saw FIIs withdraw from Indian equities across four out of the five trading days, only to be comprehensively countered by robust DII accumulation. The Nifty 50 index concluded the week at 24334.3, reflecting a market grappling with foreign outflows but supported by strong domestic conviction. The Sensex ended the week at 78151.0, mirroring the Nifty’s performance. This week’s activity underscores the persistent concerns of foreign investors, likely attributed to global macroeconomic uncertainties and a re-evaluation of emerging market valuations, while domestic institutions continue to see long-term value in Indian equities, particularly in sectors poised for structural growth.

Thursday’s FII Exodus Overshadows Weekly Activity

While the week was characterized by consistent FII selling, Thursday, July 16th, 2026, stood out as a particularly brutal session for foreign investors, who offloaded a staggering ₹4,206 crore. This significant outflow on a single day contributed substantially to the week’s overall FII net sell figure of ₹5,780 crore. In contrast, DIIs demonstrated unwavering support, stepping in to absorb the selling pressure by purchasing ₹2,986 crore on the same Thursday. This aggressive buying from domestic institutions on a day of heavy foreign outflows highlights their confidence in the Indian market’s underlying strength and their willingness to capitalize on any price dips. The contrast in flows on July 16th was the most pronounced of the week, indicating a strong conviction from domestic players to defend market levels against foreign selling pressure.

Monday’s Reversal Sets a Hopeful Tone, Quickly Erased

The week commenced with a promising surge in FII inflows on Monday, July 13th, 2026, with foreign investors net buying ₹2,604 crore. This positive start was further bolstered by DIIs, who also showed strong buying interest with ₹2,020 crore. This alignment in buying sentiment between FIIs and DIIs on Monday suggested a potential shift in foreign investor sentiment. However, this optimism was short-lived. The subsequent days saw a dramatic reversal, with FIIs turning net sellers, culminating in the significant outflows observed on Thursday. This early-week buying by FIIs, followed by sustained selling, is a pattern that warrants close observation, as it can sometimes precede a period of consolidation or a more significant correction if the selling pressure intensifies.

DII Accumulation Continues Amidst FII Caution

The dominant narrative of the week was the relentless buying by Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs), who accumulated a substantial net of ₹11,123 crore. This consistent inflow from DIIs, seen across all five trading days, underscores their deep-seated belief in the long-term prospects of the Indian economy and its equity markets. DIIs have been instrumental in providing a floor to the market, absorbing the selling pressure from FIIs. Their strategy appears to be focused on accumulating quality assets at attractive valuations, anticipating future growth. This sustained domestic buying is a crucial anchor for the market, providing stability and resilience in the face of global headwinds that are influencing foreign investor sentiment. The divergence between FII selling and DII buying of ₹16,903 crore this week is one of the largest seen in recent months.

Sectoral Signals: Financials and Industrials Draw DII Favour

Analyzing the flow patterns, DIIs appear to be strategically allocating capital towards sectors that are poised for sustained growth and benefit from domestic economic expansion. Specifically, the banking and financial services sector likely saw significant DII inflows, driven by expectations of stable earnings growth and improving asset quality. Furthermore, capital goods and industrial sectors, which are beneficiaries of government infrastructure spending and a pick-up in manufacturing, also appear to have attracted considerable DII attention. This is evidenced by the robust DII net buying of ₹11,123 crore for the week. Conversely, FII selling pressure, while broad-based, may have been more pronounced in sectors sensitive to global liquidity conditions or those that have experienced significant run-ups. Without specific sector-level data for FIIs, it’s difficult to pinpoint their exact areas of exit, but the overall selling suggests a cautious approach across the board.

The Monday Setup: Navigating the FII/DII Divide

The prevailing FII selling pressure and DII buying support sets up a critical scenario for Monday, July 21st, 2026. We present three potential outcomes:

• Scenario 1: FII Buying Resumes (Bullish): If FIIs reverse their trend and turn net buyers, even with a modest ₹500 crore, coupled with continued DII strength, we could see the Nifty test immediate resistance. Key levels to watch would be the 24550 mark, followed by 24700. This would indicate a capitulation of short-sellers and a renewed bullish sentiment.
• Scenario 2: FII Selling Persists (Bearish): If FIIs continue their selling spree, with outflows exceeding ₹1500 crore, and DII buying moderates to around ₹1000 crore, the Nifty could break below key support. Initial support would be at 24200, with a more significant psychological level at 24000. A breach of 24000 could trigger further downside.
• Scenario 3: Range-Bound Consolidation (Neutral): A scenario where FII flows remain muted, perhaps net buying or selling less than ₹500 crore, while DII buying continues at a moderate pace of ₹1500 crore, would likely lead to range-bound trading. The Nifty would then oscillate between immediate support at 24250 and resistance around 24400.

Key Levels to Watch: Nifty’s 24000 Lifeline

The most critical level to monitor heading into the next trading week for the Nifty 50 is the psychological mark of 24000. This level has historically acted as a significant support zone. Given the persistent FII selling pressure, a breach below 24000 would signal a potential acceleration of outflows and could lead to a sharper correction, potentially testing levels around 23800. Conversely, if DII buying momentum continues and FIIs show signs of returning, the Nifty would aim to reclaim immediate resistance at 24400, with a decisive move above this potentially paving the way for a test of 24550. The interplay between FII selling and DII buying around the 24000-24200 zone will be crucial in determining the market’s direction.

Comparative Flows: Week-on-Week Escalation of FII Outflows

Comparing this week’s activity to the previous week ending July 11th, 2026, reveals an escalation in FII selling. Last week, FIIs were net sellers of ₹2,100 crore, a figure significantly lower than this week’s ₹5,780 crore outflow. This indicates a clear acceleration in the pace of foreign investor exits from Indian equities. While DIIs were also net buyers last week to the tune of ₹8,500 crore, their buying this week at ₹11,123 crore shows a sustained, if not intensified, commitment to supporting the market. The widening gap between FII selling and DII buying this week, compared to last week, suggests that foreign investor concerns are deepening, while domestic institutions remain steadfast in their conviction. This trend of increasing FII outflows and strong DII inflows is a key dynamic to track.

FII/DII Data Breakdown: July 13th – July 18th, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What did FIIs sell on July 16th, 2026?

On July 16th, 2026, FIIs were net sellers of ₹4,206 crore.

What did DIIs buy on July 15th, 2026?

On July 15th, 2026, DIIs were net buyers of ₹2,928 crore.

Is FII buying or selling in July 2026?

In July 2026, FIIs have predominantly been net sellers, with a cumulative outflow of ₹5,780 crore for the week ending July 18th, 2026, indicating a cautious stance.

Key Levels to Watch

Nifty Support: The critical support level to watch is 24000. A break below this could see the index test 23800. Immediate support is seen at 24200.

Nifty Resistance: Immediate resistance is at 24400. A decisive move above this could propel the index towards 24550 and then 24700.

Bottom Line

The week ending July 18th, 2026, was defined by a significant divergence, with FIIs offloading ₹5,780 crore and DIIs aggressively buying ₹11,123 crore. Thursday, July 16th, witnessed the largest FII outflow of ₹4,206 crore, which was largely absorbed by domestic institutions. This trend of escalating FII selling and robust DII buying suggests underlying domestic strength battling global investor caution. The Nifty’s ability to hold the 24000 level will be paramount in the coming week.