# India becomes Asia’s least-preferred stock market in BofA survey 2026-08-19T11:33:23+00:00 | Business & Economy | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets India has replaced Indonesia as Asia's least-preferred stock market in a Bank of America survey of 98 fund managers managing $272 billion in assets, with 32% of respondents net underweight on Indian equities. The survey, conducted between August 7 and August 13, cited a lack of clear AI exposure as the top concern, followed by weak economic growth, elevated valuations, and a perceived lack of reforms. The BofA survey found that investor sentiment towards Indonesia improved, with 27% of fund managers net underweight, down from 32% in July. Taiwan and Japan remained the most preferred markets. The findings come despite Indian corporate earnings improving, with Nifty 50 earnings rising 18% year-on-year, ahead of Motilal Oswal's estimate of 10% growth, and global funds buying over $4 billion of Indian stocks this quarter after record outflows in the first half. The Nifty 50 has recovered 8% from its March low but remains down 8% for the year, on track to end a 10-year streak of annual gains. Rising crude oil prices linked to the US-Iran conflict are adding to investor caution. The survey results signal a disconnect between improving fundamentals and persistent concerns over valuations and global themes. ## Indian Opinion Analysis All three outlets reported the BofA survey as a factual market event, with no discernible political or ideological slant. Times of India and India Today led with the least-preferred status and the AI-exposure concern, while Livemint framed the story around India's broader market weakness and the US-Iran conflict. The coverage is uniform straight reporting, the key takeaway is that fund managers are weighing strong earnings and returning foreign flows against high valuations and a lack of AI exposure. The tension between fundamentals and sentiment will likely define near-term market direction, with the Nifty 50's annual performance and energy price developments being the key numbers to watch. ## Coverage Coverage: 3 sources, 3 neutral - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Straight reporting of survey results, market data, and cited concerns without editorial framing - livemint.com (neutral report) Factual report on survey findings with added context on market performance and crude oil - indiatoday.in (neutral report) Straight reporting focused on survey data, fund manager views, and market context This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above. Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources. Last updated 2026-08-19T11:52:01+00:00. Tags: Bank of America, Indian stock market, Motilal Oswal, Nifty 50 Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/india-becomes-asias-least-preferred-stock-market-in-bofa-survey/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/india-becomes-asias-least-preferred-stock-market-in-bofa-survey/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/