New Delhi: Investor wealth tumbled by a whopping Rs 3.36 lakh crore in two successive sessions of decline in the equity market following an escalation in tensions in the Middle East.
Equity markets fell for the second consecutive session, with the 30-share key BSE index plummeting 787.98 points, or 1.90 per cent, to close at 40,676.63, on Monday. During the trade, it dropped 850.65 points to 40,613.96.
The Sensex had ended 162.03 points, or 0.39 per cent, lower at 41,464.61 on Friday as well.
Led by the weakness in equities in two consecutive trading sessions, the market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies plunged by Rs 3,36,559.82 crore to Rs 1,53,90,312.60 crore.
"Indian markets started the week on a negative note amid an escalation of geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran. Rising crude oil prices and adverse rupee movement too impacted the sentiments," Religare Broking Ltd VP - Research Ajit Mishra said.
"Amongst the broader markets, BSE midcap and smallcap underperformed. All the sectoral indices witnessed heavy selling pressure and ended with losses wherein auto, banking and metals were the top losers," he added.