Explained on 26 October 2026. This is an educational answer drawn from the dated article below; examples are hypothetical unless a specific source observation is identified.
How it works
The purchase and sale totals should come from the same definition and observation window. A net number can hide substantial gross trading on both sides. Comparing a category’s net position with a total turnover figure also mixes different measures unless the distinction is made explicit.
A simple example
A hypothetical institutional category buys ₹1,000 crore and sells ₹850 crore in a session. Net buying is ₹150 crore, while total purchases are still ₹1,000 crore. Calling the net figure the category’s complete traded volume would lose important information.
What to check
- Subtract sales from purchases on the same basis.
- Keep gross activity and net activity separate.
- Do not infer portfolio holdings from one net row.
Read the full event and evidence
FII Selling, DII Buying: Why October’s Net Flow Is Not a Market Price Floor explains the original event, its dates and the supporting documents. Event context: Cash-segment data through 23 October 2026.