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Among the various type of investment strategies currently available in India, direct investment has steadily been getting more attention. Direct investing involved putting money straight into a company without the aid of a middle-man to get a major control over its operations. These investments can be done domestically or internationally. ...Read More
Trust of 20+ Years in Industry
Written bySumit Narula
Investment Writer
Published 18th February 2026
Reviewed byPrateek Pandey
Last Modified 18th February 2026
Investment Expert
What is Direct Investment?
Direct investment can be defined as a process of investing capital directly into a company with an aim to actively participate in its management and or operations. Direct investments give investors the ability to exert influence on how the company operates. Such investment plans may involve starting a new business, purchasing shares and getting majority stake in the company or investing in a company operating outside of the domicile country of the investor.
Key Characteristics of Direct Investment
To get clearer understanding of how direct investments work, it is important to know the key features that make direct investment unique. Following are some key features of direct investment:
- Ownership stake: In the case of direct investment, the investor holds partial or full ownership of an asset or business. So, there is no middle man such as an asset management company holding investments on behalf of the investor.
- Control and influence: As a result of direct ownership, the investor can influence the operations or strategy of the company. The extent of this power to influence business decisions typically varies based on the how large a stake is held through direct investment.
- Long-term focus: Direct investments are not made for short-term gains. This investment strategy is designed to focus on steady expansion for long-term gains that might span over decades. So direct investors usually invest with a time horizon of 5 years or longer in mind.
- Potentially High Risk: Direct investments tend to carry a variety of risks depending on the type of investment being made. Some risks commonly associated with direct investments may include market risk, performance risk, credit risk, geopolitical risk, concentration risk, etc.
- Potential for higher Net Returns: Net returns from an investment can be defined as the difference between gross returns from and fees/charges deducted from an investment. Direct investments do not feature a middle man such as a fund manager, the fees/charges are lower compared to indirect investments. This may lead to higher direct returns in the case of direct investment.
Types of Direct Investment
The term direct investments can refer to different variants of the direct investment strategy. The types of direct investments currently available in India are differentiated on the basis of who is making the investment and also where the investment being made. Below are further details about different types of direct investment:
1. Domestic Direct Investment
Domestic direct investment can be defined as an investment strategy where the investor makes an investment within their country of residence. So, an Indian resident investing in stocks or bonds of an Indian company is an example of domestic direct investment. This type of direct investment can help local businesses grow, creates job opportunities within the country, and helps in overall growth of the domestic economy.
2. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
Foreign direct investments can be defined as a direct investment strategy where an investor from one country invests in an overseas company. The purchase of UK-based Jaguar-Land Rover by the Indian conglomerate TATA illustrates this perfectly. An Indian resident purchasing shares of a US-based company listed on the NASDAQ is another example of how foreign direct investment can work.
There are however, various regulations that govern foreign direct investments and typically transaction fees in such cases can be quite high. So, typically only large institutional investors and high net worth individuals commonly make foreign direct investments. FDI inflows can provide access to foreign capital, advanced technology, and global expertise that can potentially aid long-term growth.
There are however, various regulations that govern foreign direct investments and typically transaction fees in such cases can be quite high. So, typically only large institutional investors and high net worth individuals commonly make foreign direct investments. FDI inflows can provide access to foreign capital, advanced technology, and global expertise that can potentially aid long-term growth.
3. Vertical Direct Investment
This type of direct investment typically involves a company investing in another company that is part of its overall upstream or downstream supply chain. An example of this would be a steel manufacturer purchasing a stake in a coal mining company that supplies its plants with high quality coking coal.
A vertical direct investment strategy is often designed to secure access to raw materials or minimise supply chain disruptions. This can help business potentially minimise downtime that may be caused by shortage of inputs or other disruptions in the supply chain.
A vertical direct investment strategy is often designed to secure access to raw materials or minimise supply chain disruptions. This can help business potentially minimise downtime that may be caused by shortage of inputs or other disruptions in the supply chain.
4. Horizontal Direct Investment (HDI)
In this type of direct investment, a company invests in a foreign country to expand operations and provide similar or the same type of product or service at an overseas location. Horizontal direct investment is designed to expand the current operations of a company to another country. An example of horizontal direct investment is US-based McDonalds opening fast food restaurants in India.
This type of direct investment allows a company to expand its operations at an overseas location, while staying in complete control of how the overseas business is operated.
This type of direct investment allows a company to expand its operations at an overseas location, while staying in complete control of how the overseas business is operated.
5. Conglomerate Direct Investment (CDI)
In the case of conglomerate direct investment, a company invests in another company to diversify its current operations and expand its current portfolio of products and services. For instance, ITC investing in and operating the chain of ITC Hotels in India is an example of conglomerate direct investment.
This type of direct investments allows companies to expand into and benefit from markets that are unrelated to its core business. Such diversification can potentially help companies manage slowdowns in their core businesses better in the long-term.
This type of direct investments allows companies to expand into and benefit from markets that are unrelated to its core business. Such diversification can potentially help companies manage slowdowns in their core businesses better in the long-term.
Advantages of Direct Investment
Investors in India now have the opportunity to make direct investments into various assets and through a variety of platform. Those choosing to make direct investments can look forward to the following potential benefits:
Potential for Long-Term Wealth Creation
One of the key benefits that attracts many investors to direct investment is the potential for long-term returns that can result in significant wealth creation. Because there are no middlemen taking commissions or charging a fund/portfolio management fee, the net returns from direct investments can be higher than indirect investments. This is in addition to the potential ability of these investments to deliver inflation-beating returns in the long-term.
Greater Control and Decision-Making Power
Investors get complete control over how and where their money is invested. So, decisions of whether to buy, sell or hold an asset would be at the sole discretion and conviction of the investor. Moreover, depending on the size of the investment, direct investors may also be able to influence operational decisions of the company they have invested in.
Higher Employment and Economic Growth
Direct investments provide individuals and businesses alike with a unique opportunity to participate in and benefit from overall growth of the economy. Both domestic and foreign direct investments into Indian companies can help create employment, aid innovation and help in long-term growth of the wider economy. This can create a positive growth cycle where higher investment leads to capital appreciation which results in higher direct investments in the future.
Portfolio Diversification Benefits
Direct investment options in India currently allow exposure to various asset classes including equity, debt, real estate and precious metals. This provides an unique opportunity to diversify investment portfolios. This opportunity to diversify, if leveraged correctly, reduces the investor’s reliance on the performance of any specific type of investment. In the long-term, proper diversification of direct investments and periodic portfolio rebalancing
can help optimise returns, while reducing overall risk in the investment portfolio.
Direct vs Indirect Investment: Key Differences
While direct investments do offer several key benefits, it might not be a suitable investment strategy for everyone. In such cases, indirect investments provide a viable alternative. Knowing the key difference between direct and indirect investments will help you decide which strategy suits your unique needs. Let’s take a closer look at what these terms actually mean:
- Direct investment: In this case, you invest your money straight into a business or asset. You have control when to buy, sell or hold a specific investment in your portfolio.
- Indirect investment: In indirect investments you invest via instruments such as mutual funds, Unit Linked Insurance Plans, market-linked pension plans, etc. In such cases, a professional fund manager or portfolio manager typically manages funds on behalf of the investors.
A fund or portfolio management fees are often charged annually for these services. The investor has minimal or no direct control over which investments will be bought, sold or held. Investments in mutual funds, ULIP plans and exchange traded funds are common examples of indirect investments.
Ownership and Risk
Based on the above definitions, you would have realised that direct and indirect investments are just two different strategies to reach similar wealth creation goals. However, they do have some key difference especially with respect to ownership of the asset and potential risks associated with the investment.
Return Potential
Direct investments can give higher net returns compared to indirect investments. This is because, direct investments carry minimal charges and fees. These charges are typically much higher in the case of indirect investments. So, net returns i.e. gross returns less fees/charges tend to be higher in the case of direct investments compared to indirect investments.
Below table illustrates key differences between direct and indirect investments across key criteria:
Below table illustrates key differences between direct and indirect investments across key criteria:
| Comparison Criteria | Direct Investment | Indirect Investment |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Direct ownership or control of the asset | No direct ownership or control of the asset |
| Risk Exposure | Asset specific risks vary but can be diversified across different assets | The fund/portfolio manager would typically diversify the portfolio across different assets |
| Control | High | Very limited or none |
| Potential Returns | Potentially net higher returns | May be lower due to deduction of fund/portfolio management fees |
Real-Life Examples of Direct Investment
Before choosing between demand deposits and term deposits, it is essential to understand the pros and cons of both account types.
Amazon India Expansion
Amazon has invested $10 billion since 2013, primarily in warehouses and e-commerce technology. This is a good example of a foreign company investing in India.
IKEA India Entry
Since 2018, IKEA has invested ₹10,500 crore to set up physical stores in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai. With indigenous suppliers and budget-friendly designs, they are expected to generate annual revenues of approximately ₹2,000 crore by 2025 and employ over 10,000 in India.
Nestle’s Acquisition of Drools
Swiss giant Nestle acquired a majority stake in Indian pet food start-up Drools. This is an example of a direct investment by an existing brand into a potentially high-growth sector.
Summary
Direct investment allows individuals and organisations with an opportunity to personally contribute to the establishment and development of a business or asset. Direct investments also provide greater financial control to the investor and can provide significant returns in the long run. However, choosing a suitable direct investment requires significant financial knowledge and effort on the part of the investor. So, not every individual can opt for this method of investment.
FAQs on Direct Investment
How can beginners start with direct investment?
A beginner planning to start direct investments should keep the following aspects in mind:
- Learn the foundation of investing
- Set clear financial targets
- Begin with small investment amounts
- Explore low-risk direct options
- Use trusted investment platforms
- Consider market-linked insurance plans for balanced growth and safety
What are the types of direct investment?
There are 5 key types of direct investments:
- Domestic Direct Investment
- Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
- Vertical Direct Investment
- Horizonal Direct Investment
- Conglomerate Direct Investment
What types of assets can I invest in directly?
An individual seeking to make direct investments in India can opt to invest in the following types of assets:
- Listed and Unlisted equity stocks
- Corporate Bonds and government securities
- Real estate
- Physical gold and silver
How is direct investment different from indirect investment?
With direct investments, one has direct ownership of the underlying assets of the investment. For instant purchasing common equity stock of a company would be considered as a direct investment.
In the case of indirect investments, the actual ownership of underlying asset is held by a third party. For instance, if you invest in units of an equity mutual fund, the actual ownership of the underlying portfolio of the fund is held by the asset management company (AMC).
What is an example of direct investment?
Tata Motors acquired Jaguar Land Rover in 2008 is an example of a direct investment, where one company has purchased assets of another. While the Jaguar and Land Rover brands and cars continue to exist as separate entities, Tata Motors now owns all underlying assets.
Does direct investment carry risks?
Yes. Returns from the investment depend directly on asset performance, so, there is significant market and business risk. Moreover, screening and picking the right direct investment would require significant time and effort on the investor’s part.
Why is direct investment important for economic growth?
Direct investments helps increase inflow of money into businesses as well as the economy at large. This can help increase employment, help businesses grow helping in economic growth and improve long-term economic stability.
What factors influence direct investment decisions?
Some key factors that can impact direct investment decisions include:
- Potential for future growth
- Regulatory environment
- Risk tolerance
- Infrastructure
Can individuals make direct investments?
Yes, individuals in India can make direct investments in various types of assets. Available options include real estate (both residential and commercial), direct purchase of equity stocks of listed or unlisted company shares, etc.
Is FDI a type of direct investment?
Yes, FDI or foreign direct investment is a type of direct investment into India. This refers to investments made by foreign investors into Indian companies and/or the stock market.
ARN: Feb26/Bg/14P
Sources:
https://www.investindia.gov.in/team-india-blogs/10-global-corporations-expanding-operations-india-2025
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/nestle-acquires-minority-stake-in-indian-pet-food-brand-drools/articleshow/121410347.cms?from=mdr/
https://www.investindia.gov.in/team-india-blogs/10-global-corporations-expanding-operations-india-2025
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/startups/nestle-acquires-minority-stake-in-indian-pet-food-brand-drools/articleshow/121410347.cms?from=mdr/
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