US stock trading is becoming more accessible to Indian retail investors as investment platform Groww rolls out a service and rival Zerodha tests its own offering. Groww’s feature launched in October 2026, while Zerodha said it planned to launch in a few weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • Groww says its service offers access to more than 10,000 US stocks and exchange-traded funds, as well as fractional share ownership.
  • Zerodha is beta testing US stock access; its wider launch remains planned rather than completed.
  • Indian residents sent more than $321 million overseas for equity and debt investment in August, up 111% from a year earlier.

US stock trading reaches more investors

Groww co-founder and chief operating officer Harsh Jain said the platform introduced its US equity trading feature earlier in October. Early users have shown interest in companies including Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Amazon, Micron and Meta, he said.

Groww accounts for more than 29% of India’s 46 million active investors across stock brokerages. Zerodha, which has a 15% share of active clients, said its US stock service was in beta testing. Previously, access to US markets and exchange-traded funds was largely limited to wealthier Indians using global banks and wealth management firms.

Overseas demand rises as Indian shares lag

Somnath Mukherjee, Zerodha’s vice president of corporate development, said Indian market underperformance and a lack of local artificial intelligence champions were contributing to demand for US offerings. He also said the rupee’s depreciation against the dollar was encouraging investors to hold part of their portfolios in another currency.

As of October 28, India’s Nifty 50 had fallen nearly 13% since the start of 2026, while the S&P 500 had gained more than 12%. Foreign investors had withdrawn a record $32.5 billion from Indian direct equities since January, based on National Securities Depository data.

Indian central bank data showed that residents sent more than $321 million abroad for equity and debt investment in August, up 111% from a year earlier. Such outward remittances totaled $2.6 billion in the financial year ended March 2026.

Currency pressure remains a concern

Tanvi Kanchan of Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers said retail outflows were a small fraction of India’s currency reserves, but could amplify pressure when the rupee is weak and US markets are strong. She said investment accounted for about 11.7% of total outward remittances, compared with 5.8% a year earlier.

Nitin Jain, chief executive and director at Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Singapore, cautioned that the Indian regulator could reconsider retail access to US markets as participation grows. That is a concern he raised, not an announced regulatory change.

Next milestone

The next confirmed milestone to watch is Zerodha’s planned launch following its beta test.

Read More News

More FinanceVelix news

Disclaimer

This FinanceVelix article provides general information, not personalized financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Market prices, interest rates and economic conditions can change; investments carry a risk of loss. Facts reflect the material available when published and may change. Check important information independently and consult a qualified professional when needed. Mentioning an asset, company, or service is not an endorsement.