Bloodbath on D-Street! Investors lose over Rs 16 lakh crore this week as Nifty, Sensex crash; market down 5% from lifetime highs

Market Performance - Indian stock markets experienced significant volatility, with Nifty closing near 25,050 and Sensex around 81,540 by the end of the week, marking a decline of 2.51% and 2.43% respectively [2][3] - The market capitalization of BSE-listed companies fell by Rs 6,95,963.98 crore to Rs 4,51,56,045.07 crore, equivalent to $4.93 trillion, with a total market value erosion of Rs 16,28,561.85 crore over the week [2][3] Key Drivers of Market Decline - Heavy selling pressure was noted, particularly in heavyweight stocks such as those from the Adani Group, which contributed to the overall market downturn [4][8] - Weak quarterly performances from major companies like ICICI Bank and HCL Technologies raised concerns about the earnings outlook, further dampening market sentiment [5][7] - The Indian rupee hit an all-time low against the US dollar, exacerbating macroeconomic worries related to inflation and trade deficits [5][9] Foreign Investment and Market Sentiment - Persistent foreign institutional investor (FII) outflows and a shift towards safe-haven assets have negatively impacted market sentiment [5][8] - The absence of strong domestic cues and the lack of major players in the artificial intelligence sector have been cited as reasons for the Indian market lagging behind global peers [5][6] Expert Insights - Analysts suggest that the market's direction in the coming week will be influenced by global macroeconomic signals and domestic fiscal expectations, with a focus on guidance from the Federal Reserve regarding interest rate cuts [9] - Stock-specific movements are expected to remain prominent as the Q3 earnings season continues, with cautious sentiment prevailing due to global developments and currency trends [9]