Investors Face Massive Losses as Market Continues Downward Spiral

Investor wealth has taken a significant hit, with the stock market's continuous decline eroding Rs 25.31 lakh crore in just eight trading sessions. The BSE benchmark Sensex has tumbled over 3%, influenced by ongoing foreign fund outflows, disappointing corporate earnings, and escalating global trade tensions.

Pressure Selling and Tariff War Jitters

The relentless selling pressure has severely impacted market capitalisation, with BSE-listed firms' total valuation plunging by Rs 25,31,579.11 crore. Investor confidence took a further hit as US President Donald Trump reaffirmed his stance on imposing reciprocal tariffs, including on India, adding to the uncertainty over trade policies.

Weak Earnings and FII Sell-off

Corporate earnings for the December quarter failed to impress, especially in the mid- and small-cap segments, raising concerns over high valuations. The risk-averse sentiment among investors, driven by muted earnings trends and INR depreciation, is expected to keep the market sentiments weak in the near term.

Key Stock Movements

Among the blue-chip stocks, Adani Ports fell over 4%, with UltraTech Cement, Sun Pharma, IndusInd Bank, NTPC, and Tata Steel also among the major losers. Despite the broader sell-off, Nestlé, ICICI Bank, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and HCL Tech managed to gain. The BSE small-cap and mid-cap indices sank by 3.24% and 2.59% respectively, with several sectors experiencing sharp declines.