Markets in Turmoil: ₹7 Lakh Crore Wiped Out as Sensex, Nifty Plunge Over 2% Amid Global Jitters

Indian equity markets witnessed a sharp sell-off on Thursday morning, with benchmark indices tumbling over 2% in early trade, erasing nearly ₹7 lakh crore in investor wealth within minutes and triggering widespread panic across Dalal Street. The BSE Sensex plunged करीब 1,900 points, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the crucial 23,200 mark, as investors rushed to offload positions amid mounting global uncertainties. The market rout was driven by a convergence of global and domestic risk factors. A sharp spike in crude oil prices—crossing the $110 per barrel mark—raised concerns over inflationary pressures and India’s import bill. Escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East further dampened investor sentiment, fuelling risk aversion across global markets. Adding to the pressure, sustained selling by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) intensified the downturn, while weak global cues, particularly from the US and Asian markets, set a negative tone for domestic equities. The sell-off was widespread, with banking, IT, and metal stocks bearing the brunt of the decline. Heavyweight stocks dragged the indices lower, amplifying the impact of the fall and contributing to the rapid erosion of market capitalisation. Market participants also pointed to rising volatility and uncertainty around global macroeconomic conditions as key triggers behind the sharp correction. Analysts suggest that the sudden spike in crude prices, coupled with geopolitical instability, has heightened concerns over inflation and interest rate trajectories, prompting investors to adopt a cautious stance. While such corrections are not uncommon during periods of global uncertainty, the intensity of the fall highlights the fragile sentiment currently prevailing in the markets.