Rs 14 Trillion Investor Wealth Wiped Out

Market Performance - The Sensex fell 1.37 per cent, or 1,100 points, closing at 78,918, while the Nifty 50 declined 1.27 per cent, or 315 points, settling at 24,450 [4] - Both indices recorded their steepest weekly losses in over a year, dropping nearly 3 per cent, marking the Nifty 50's worst weekly performance since February 2025 and the Sensex's sharpest fall since December 2024 [4][7] - The indices ended at their lowest levels since April last year [4] Investor Activity - Investors' wealth in Indian equity markets declined by nearly Rs 14 trillion during the week, including a Rs 3.2 trillion loss on Friday [5] - Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 21,831 crore during the week, with around Rs 6,000 crore sold on Friday alone [5][7] - Domestic institutional investors were net buyers in all four trading sessions of the week [5] Oil Price Impact - Brent crude prices breached the $90 per barrel mark for the first time in almost two years, raising global energy concerns amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia [3][7] - The price for a barrel of Brent crude jumped another 6 per cent to $90.60, climbing around 25 per cent during the week, the most since March 2022 [10][13] - Higher oil prices are expected to widen India's trade deficit, fuel inflation, and strain the country's current account and fiscal balances [11][12] Sector Performance - Most sectoral indices ended in the red, with the exception of IT and chemicals, which saw marginal gains [15] - Major banks, including ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, and State Bank of India, faced pressure due to concerns that rising crude prices could increase borrowing costs and squeeze margins [15][16] - Shares of oil marketing companies extended losses amid worries that higher crude prices could hurt marketing margins [16]