MSCI index rejig may result in $1.4b inflows into stocks

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

MSCI has added eight Indian stocks to its Global Standard Index and removed one as part of its quarterly index review. The changes will likely result in an inflow of nearly $1.4 billion from foreign passive funds when the actual changes take place on August 31. A release by MSCI on Friday said it had added HDFC Asset Management, IDFC First Bank, Ashok Leyland, Astral, Cummins India Kirloskar, REC, Power Finance Corporation, and Supreme Industries to its Global Standard Index and removed ACC.

According to an estimate by IIFL Alternate Research, IDFC First Bank, Power Finance Corporation, and Ashok Leyland are expected to see inflows of above $200 million each from the passive funds, while the other five stocks could see buying between $ 150 million and $190 million when funds rejig their portfolio on August 31. Global passive funds such as exchange-traded funds (ETFs) structure their portfolios based on these indices. As a result, any inclusion or exclusion and change in composition lead to these funds adjusting their allocations.

Exclusion of ACC from the Global Standard Index may result in outflows of $98 million, IIFL said. MSCI added 40 stocks to its Global Smallcap Index and removed 11. India has seen the maximum addition of stocks in the Global Smallcap Index within the Asia-Pacific region.