The capital market is showing signs of revival, which is visible in the increasing interest and confidence of both the domestic and foreign institutional investors, the Economic Survey for the year 2008-09 said.
"It is a matter of satisfaction that the performance of the capital market has lately shown signs of revival of investor interest and confidence, both domestic and foreign institutional investors," the Survey which was tabled in the Parliament on Thursday said.
The investment by FIIs in equity instruments amounted to $5.4 billion during April-May 2009, while a turnaround has been noticed in the performance of mutual fund industry that had remained subdued during 2008, the survey stated.
The mutual fund investments (net) in equity markets turned positive in March 2009 and were Rs 2,320 crore (Rs 23.2 billion) during April-May 2009, the survey said, adding they invested Rs 36,791 crore (Rs 367.91 billion) in debt instruments during the same period.
The survey also stated that there was scope for expansion of the mutual fund industry as only 7.7 per cent of total financial saving was allocated to mutual funds in 2007-08.
"The retail investor participation, which is presently estimated at 15 per cent, is expected to increase in the years to come as availability of products and investor education improve and the industry takes steps towards transparency and sound corporate governance practices to generate investor confidence," the survey stated.
The survey said the secondary capital market had begun 2008 on a bullish note, with the BSE and NSE indices touching new peaks of 20,873 and 6,288 point respectively on January 8, 2008.
But it was affected adversely thereafter reflecting the impact of global financial crisis.
"The movement in equity prices in Indian capital market was in tandem with trends in major international equity markets," it stated.
The market had weakened further during September-December 2008 after a sharp decline in stock markets across the globe and perceptible shift in investor preferences.
The primary capital market received a setback in 2008 after recording strong growth during 2006 and 2007, the survey said. Total amount of capital raised through equity issues during 2008 was Rs 49,485 crore (Rs 494.85 billion), a decline of 15.7 per cent as compared to the level in 2007.
