National, September 09, 2026: The case for Indian investors to look beyond domestic markets has never been stronger and the numbers now prove it. HDFC Securities’ global investing platform, accessible via InvestRight and HDFC SKY, has crossed 30,000 active customers in just two years, while nearly 2 lakh additional investors have registered their interest in going global. Together, they represent one of the clearest signals, yet that international diversification has moved from a niche strategy to a mainstream wealth-building necessity for Indian investors.
Since its launch on InvestRight in August 2024 and on HDFC SKY in September 2025, the platform has seen assets under management cross USD 250 million (approximately INR 2,500 crore) as of August 2026, a scale that underscores how quickly Indian investors are embracing global markets once access barriers are removed.
The case for going global
“Investing across global markets offers Indian investors a unique opportunity to diversify their portfolios, access new avenues for growth, and hedge against domestic economic uncertainties. In today’s increasingly interconnected world, international investments are no longer just an option, they are becoming an essential component of a well-rounded, long term wealth strategy,” said Dhiraj Relli, MD & CEO, HDFC Securities.
“For Indian investors, a prudent approach is to allocate around 10-15% of their portfolio to global equity markets. This range can provide meaningful diversification and open doors to international growth opportunities. However, the ideal allocation varies depending on individual risk appetite, financial goals, and investment horizons,” Relli added.
HDFC Securities has partnered with Vested Finance, which provides the underlying infrastructure for international investing, while HDFC Securities handles the brokerage interface and client experience making global markets accessible and seamless for Indian investors, wherever they are.
Global Investing has reached every corner of India
Perhaps the most compelling evidence that global investing is now for every Indian investor, not just the metro elite, comes from where these investors live: over 50% hail from Tier-II and Tier-III cities such as Nagpur and Coimbatore.
“The number that stands out is the location split. More than half of these investors are from outside the top eight cities. A few years ago, global investing was mostly something people in Mumbai and Bengaluru did. Today someone in Nagpur or Coimbatore can open an account, send money abroad, and buy a US-listed ETF in the same week. That is a real solid change,” said Viram Shah, Co-founder & CEO, Vested Finance.
Investors aren’t just dabbling – they are building real global portfolios
The behavioral data tells an equally compelling story about why global investing works, and why investors are sticking with it:
- 76% of funded investors have invested in international stocks, 35% have added ETFs, and 14% have gone further with managed or thematic portfolios, with significant overlap, showing investors building layered, diversified exposure rather than one-off bets.
- 27% of new investors are choosing to start their global journey with ETFs rather than single stocks, opting for diversification from day one.
- The average investor now holds around 15 securities, up from 11 last year, a clear trend toward broader, more resilient global portfolios.
- 70% of investors make multiple deposits, and 76% increase their deposit sizes within the first year, signaling growing conviction rather than one-time curiosity.
- SIP participation has grown to 8.67% of investors (up from 8.03% in 2025), with a median deposit of USD 546, showing that disciplined, systematic global investing is gaining ground.
“About three-quarters of funded investors have bought stocks. A third have also bought ETFs. One in seven has used a managed portfolio. So, this is not just people buying one or two US names they read about somewhere. A good number is building proper diversified exposure,” Shah added.
Who’s investing – and why it matters
The platform’s investor base spans a broad cross-section of India: primarily aged 25-45 (75.5% combined), with average age of 37; income levels ranging from under INR 1 lakh to over INR 1 crore annually; and occupations spanning entrepreneurs (the largest segment), salaried professionals, students, and retirees. Women currently make up 17.3% of investors, a segment HDFC Securities sees as a key growth opportunity going forward.
Top traded names include organisations like NVIDIA, Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, and Amazon and this reflects strong investor conviction in global technology and consumer leadership, while ETF activity across the S&P 500, Nasdaq-100, precious metals, US treasuries, and semiconductor funds shows investors are also thinking in terms of asset allocation, not just stock-picking. Managed portfolios themed around innovation, blockchain, AI, and balanced multi-asset strategies are seeing high engagement, pointing to appetite for expert-curated global exposure as well as self-directed investing.
Making Global Investing effortless
HDFC Securities has built a platform to remove friction at every step: simplified USD transfers via HDFC Bank, fractional investing starting at just $1, recurring investment options, curated US baskets, extended trading hours, and comprehensive research tools, all designed so that going global is as easy as investing at home.
The Road Ahead
With nearly 2 lakh investors already expressing interest, HDFC Securities sees this as just the beginning. The company remains committed to deepening access to global markets, extending its reach further into India’s regional towns, and helping an even broader spectrum of Indian investors participate in the growth of the world’s leading economies.
As Mr. Relli puts it, global markets are no longer a diversification option for Indian investors to consider, they are becoming a core pillar of how long-term wealth should be built.
About HDFC securities:
HDFC Securities, a subsidiary of HDFC Bank, is one of India’s leading stockbrokers, with 26 years of expertise in the Indian equity market. Serving around 6 million customers in over 100 cities, the company operates a robust network of more than 120 branches. HDFC Securities provides a comprehensive range of investment products and trading services tailored to meet diverse financial needs. Over its 26-year history, HDFC Securities has played a crucial role in empowering investors with more than 30 distinct financial solutions. These offerings include equities, gold, mutual funds, currency derivatives, non-convertible debentures (NCDs), fixed deposits, bonds, basket investing, global investing, and acts as a distributor of the National Pension System (NPS), each designed to align with various investment goals. Dedicated to providing seamless and future-ready trading experiences, HDFC Securities features cutting-edge platforms such as InvestRight and HDFC SKY (discount broking), along with mobile apps, a user-friendly website, Integrated Trading Solutions (ITS), and ProTerminal. In addition, HSL Prime Research offers best-in-class investment opportunities, backed by comprehensive fundamental and technical analysis conducted by a team of seasoned analysts, many of whom have been with HDFC Securities for over a decade. The company has also launched its investment advisory service, HDFC TRU, focusing on high-net-worth individuals
(HNIs), ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNIs), family offices, and treasury clients. HDFC Securities also maintains a strong social media presence, proactively sharing market updates and educational content to promote financial literacy. The company engages with its audience through platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. For more information, visit https://www.hdfcsec.com/article/disclaimer-1795 .
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About Vested Finance
Vested, the Global Investing Specialist for Indian investors, is a platform providing easy access to global equities and funds. With a focus on transparency, education, and regulatory compliance, Vested is trusted by thousands of Indian investors across the world, building sustainable wealth by diversifying globally. Through its platform, investors can access a wide range of asset classes, including US stocks and ETFs, Global Funds, Private Markets, and Managed Global Portfolios. As of August 2026, Vested has facilitated over INR 70,000 crore in trading volume, manages more than INR 14,000 crore in assets under administration, and has helped launch 400,000+ global portfolios.
