Apple, Nvidia, Tesla dominate as Indian investors quietly build global portfolios

Indian investors are steadily expanding their exposure to overseas markets, with US-listed technology giants emerging as the dominant choice. New data shows that Indians investing globally now hold an average of eight stocks, alongside exchange-traded funds, signalling a shift from tentative experimentation to long-term portfolio construction.

Over the past six years, Indian investment into global equities has grown fourfold, rising from about $400 million to more than $1.6 billion. The trend reflects both a desire for diversification and a recognition that no single market consistently leads global returns year after year.

Global investing moves beyond metros

A study titled How India Invests Globally 2025 Edition by Vested Finance shows that global investing is no longer confined to India’s major cities. Investors from more than 145 cities are now allocating money overseas, with 47% coming from Tier-II and Tier-III locations.

Nearly half of global investors are under 35 years of age, while about 38% began with investments of less than $500, indicating low entry barriers and growing comfort with international platforms. The median portfolio size stands at $10,465, while the average investor holds 11 global securities, including ETFs.

“Global investing for Indians has moved from curiosity to conviction,” said Viram Shah, Founder and CEO of Vested Finance. He noted that investors are increasingly thinking in terms of asset allocation, diversification and long-term exposure rather than chasing one-off opportunities.

Big Tech stocks anchor portfolios

An analysis of allocation patterns shows that 68% of Indian global portfolios are invested in stocks, 24% in ETFs, 7% held as cash and just 1% in international funds. The preference for a relatively small number of stocks suggests high-conviction investing rather than broad speculation.

US technology leaders dominate these holdings. Nvidia, Tesla, Apple, Meta Platforms, Alphabet and Microsoft feature among the most widely held stocks. Other popular names include Amazon, Palantir, Broadcom and AMD, reflecting investor interest in companies that shape technology, supply chains and entire industries.

ETFs also play a central role. Around 80% of investors hold ETFs, with 27% of ETF allocation directed towards index funds. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF and Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF are among the most common choices, alongside sector-focused funds tracking semiconductors and technology.

What may shape the next phase

According to Vested Finance, the next phase of global investing by Indians is likely to be driven less by short-term headlines and more by practical shifts in financial planning. These include clearer asset-allocation strategies, greater use of ETFs for diversification, a longer investment horizon and a growing comfort with global risk management.

As Indian investors increasingly look beyond domestic markets, global portfolios anchored by US equities and diversified through ETFs appear set to become a mainstream feature of household investing rather than a niche pursuit.