Overseas investors poured in over 26,000 crore rupees in Indian markets last month. This is the highest net investment by Foreign Institutional Investors, FIIs, in stocks and bonds since September 2010.As per data compiled by the market regulator Sebi, FIIs purchased equities and debt securities worth a gross amount of 76,548 crore rupees in January, while their gross sales for the month were worth 50,219 crore rupees, translating into a net inflow of 26,329 crore. Market experts say that strengthening of rupee and easing concerns over inflation led to the foreign investors stepping up their stock purchases during the month.

FIIs had mostly stayed away from Indian equities last year but made a net investment worth 10,358 crore rupees in stocks in the first month of 2012. However, they appeared more bullish on the debt market, where they made a net inflow of 15,971 crore rupees. In terms of equity investment, foreign funds have poured in maximum money in infrastructure and pharma stocks.