Investor wealth eroded by over ₹3.79 lakh crore in two days of market fall where the BSE benchmark cracked 879 points amid sluggish corporate earnings and FPI concerns.

Also read:Equities witness major sell-off; Sensex tanks 560 pts

Markets have extended losses for the second consecutive session. Led by weakness in equities, the market capitalisation (m-cap) of BSE-listed companies plunged ₹3,79,047.89 crore to ₹1,45,34,758.53 crore in the last two days.

The Sensex had slumped 318 points on Thursday . Sluggish corporate earnings, lacklustre global markets, FPI and slowdown concerns have played spoilsport for markets.

Replying to a debate on the Finance Bill in Parliament after market hours on Thursday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman dismissed the argument that the proposed hike in tax on the super-rich would spook foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).

Read more:Nirmala Sitharaman: No tweaks in super-rich surcharge on FPIs

“Markets plunged sharply lower and lost over a per cent, in extension to Thursday’s fall. Though it opened with an uptick but fizzled out in no time, citing continuous FPI outflow, geo-political tension between the US and Iran and anxiety around the earnings,” said Ajit Mishra Vice President, Research, Religare Broking Ltd.

From the 30-share pack, 26 companies fell - led by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, Bajaj Finance Ltd, Tata Motors Ltd and Hero MotoCorp. “Today’s correction was in response to a combination of surcharge on FPIs, tepid results by a couple of companies and rising slowdown concerns,” said Arun Thukral, MD & CEO, Axis Securities.

At the BSE, 1,877 scrips declined, while 664 advanced and 130 remained unchanged. More than 500 scrips hit a 52-week low on the BSE.

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