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How FIIs Use Commodities to Hedge Risks in Indian Markets: A Complete Guide

Writer
Nidhi Thakur
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September 18, 2025
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Quick Highlights

  • FIIs hedge equity risk in India by trading in commodities like gold, crude oil, and metals.
  • Commodity derivatives on MCX and NCDEX provide efficient hedging tools.
  • Hedging protects FIIs from currency fluctuations, inflation, and global volatility.
  • FIIs’ strategies directly influence market liquidity and retail participation.
  • Swastika Investmart offers research-driven insights and seamless commodity trading.

Why FIIs Matter in Indian Markets

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) play a pivotal role in India’s capital markets. Their inflows and outflows often decide the short-term direction of indices like Nifty and Sensex. However, investing in an emerging economy like India also exposes FIIs to risks such as:

  • Currency volatility (INR vs USD)
  • Commodity-driven inflation (crude oil, metals, agri-commodities)
  • Global macro shocks (Fed rate decisions, geopolitical tensions)

To manage these risks, FIIs actively use commodities as a hedging tool.

How Commodities Work as a Hedge for FIIs

1. Gold – The Classic Safe Haven

When FIIs expect volatility in equities, they often take positions in gold futures on MCX.

  • Example: During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, FIIs increased exposure to gold to offset equity risks.
  • Impact: Higher demand for gold derivatives boosts volumes on Indian exchanges.

2. Crude Oil – Hedging Against Inflation

India imports over 80% of its crude requirements. Rising crude prices mean inflationary pressures, which hurt equity markets. FIIs hedge this by:

  • Going long in crude oil futures to offset inflation risks.
  • Using Brent-linked contracts to manage global exposure.

3. Base Metals – Linked to Industrial Demand

Metals like copper, aluminium, and zinc are highly cyclical.

  • FIIs hedge equity bets in industrial and infrastructure stocks by balancing exposure through base metals.
  • For instance, in 2023–24, rising Chinese demand concerns saw FIIs turn defensive in equities while using copper futures as a hedge.

4. Agricultural Commodities – Inflation Hedge

Though not as liquid as metals or energy, agri-commodities on NCDEX provide FIIs a tool to manage inflation-linked risks. Rising food inflation can hurt consumer companies, so FIIs hedge through contracts in commodities like soybean or chana.

Tools FIIs Use in India

FIIs use regulated platforms like:

  • MCX (Multi Commodity Exchange) – India’s largest commodity derivatives exchange.
  • NCDEX (National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange) – Focused on agri-commodities.

With SEBI oversight, these platforms ensure transparency and liquidity for hedging activities.

Real-World Impact on Indian Markets

When FIIs hedge via commodities:

  • Liquidity in commodity derivatives increases, benefitting Indian retail traders.
  • Price discovery improves, as global players bring in sophisticated trading strategies.
  • Market correlation rises – sudden moves in crude or gold often reflect in equity trends.

For example, in August 2025, FII outflows of nearly ₹47,000 crore from equities coincided with higher participation in gold and crude futures, showing how hedging balances exposure.

Benefits of Commodity Hedging for FIIs

  • Currency Risk Management – INR depreciation against USD can be offset with crude and gold exposure.
  • Diversification – Commodities often move inversely to equities.
  • Inflation Protection – Rising commodity prices can hurt equity margins, but hedges balance the risk.
  • Liquidity Play – Commodity derivatives offer intraday and positional opportunities.

Swastika’s Edge in Commodity Trading

While FIIs use sophisticated hedging models, retail and HNI investors can also benefit from commodity diversification. With Swastika Investmart, you get:

  • SEBI-registered broker trust
  • Access to MCX & NCDEX trading
  • Research-backed commodity strategies
  • AI-enabled platforms for real-time updates
  • Investor education to simplify hedging for individuals

👉 Open your commodity enabled Demat & Trading account with Swastika Investmart today.

FAQs

Q1. Why do FIIs use commodities for hedging in India?
To balance risks from currency fluctuations, inflation, and global volatility while maintaining equity exposure.

Q2. Which commodities are most preferred by FIIs?
Gold, crude oil, and base metals like copper and aluminium are most widely used.

Q3. Do FIIs trade directly on Indian commodity exchanges?
Yes, through SEBI-regulated platforms like MCX and NCDEX, often via sub-accounts or participatory notes.

Q4. How does FII hedging impact retail investors?
It improves market liquidity, price discovery, and offers new opportunities for retail traders.

Q5. Can Indian investors also use commodities for hedging?
Yes, investors can diversify portfolios using commodities to reduce equity-linked risks.

Conclusion

FIIs are not just equity players—they are active risk managers who use commodities to stabilize their India exposure. By trading in gold, crude, metals, and agri-commodities, they hedge against inflation, currency moves, and global shocks, ensuring long-term portfolio balance.

For Indian investors, understanding these FII strategies can unlock smarter ways to invest.

👉 Experience AI-powered commodity trading with Swastika Investmart and step into the future of diversified investing.

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