Bear grip gets stronger as markets continue to bleed

Nifty and Sensex Extend Losing Streak to Nine Sessions as Market Sentiment Remains Bearish; All Sectors in the Red, India VIX Surges 7%

The benchmark indices, Nifty 50 and Sensex, continued their downward trend for the ninth consecutive session, opening with losses on 17th February. Persistent selling by foreign institutional investors, the weakening rupee, and the recent imposition of reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports by US President Donald Trump have collectively dampened investor confidence, leading to a sustained market decline. This prolonged slump, last witnessed in May 2019, has raised concerns among traders and analysts. With no significant domestic triggers to influence market direction, investors are closely monitoring global developments, currency movements, and institutional fund flows for potential cues.

At 9:16 am, the Sensex had fallen by 590.57 points (0.78%) to 75,348.64, while the Nifty was down by 196.15 points (0.86%) at 22,733.10. Market breadth remained weak, with 765 stocks advancing, 1,901 declining, and 158 remaining unchanged.

In the previous trading session, the market capitalisation of companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) dipped below ₹400 lakh crore for the first time since June 2024, further reflecting the prevailing bearish sentiment.