Here's Why 2026 Could Be a Breakout Year for India ETFs

Market Performance - India's NIFTY 50 index has experienced a decline of approximately 0.47% month-to-date but has shown signs of recovery with a 0.18% gain over the past five sessions and a 0.57% increase on Friday alone [1] - The NIFTY 50 has achieved a year-to-date gain of 10.19% and a 6.43% rise over the past six months, indicating a positive economic outlook [2] Investment Opportunities - Global fund houses are increasingly attracted to India's $3.3 trillion potential, with multinational companies listing their India units, enhancing the primary market and creating more investment opportunities [3] - The shift of household savings into financial assets is accelerating market inflows, benefiting asset managers and creating opportunities for fund houses as more retail investors enter the market [4] Mutual Fund Industry Growth - Bain & Company projects that retail investor-driven assets in India's mutual fund industry will grow from 45 trillion rupees in fiscal year 2025 to 300 trillion rupees ($3.3 trillion) by 2035, highlighting significant growth potential [5] Big Tech Investments - Major tech companies are investing billions in India, with Microsoft and Amazon pledging over $50 billion for cloud and AI infrastructure [6] - Microsoft plans to invest $17.5 billion over the next four years, while Amazon has announced an additional $35 billion investment, building on a previous $40 billion investment [7] Data Center Market Potential - India aims to leverage its IT expertise to develop enterprise-level AI applications, presenting substantial opportunities for Big Tech, with favorable conditions for large-scale data center development [8] - The convergence of global cloud providers, AI innovators, and domestic digitalization positions India as one of the world's most promising data center markets [9] Future Equity Outlook - Jefferies forecasts that India's equities will outperform broader emerging-market economies in 2026, with the NIFTY 50 expected to reach 28,300, representing an upside of about 8.65% from current levels [10] Investment Vehicles - Several India ETFs are highlighted for investors looking to capitalize on the country's optimistic outlook, including iShares MSCI India ETF (INDA), WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (EPI), and others [11][13] - INDA has the largest asset base of $9.44 billion and is the most liquid option, making it suitable for active trading strategies [14]