Indian Stock Markets Crash; ₹7 Lakh Crore Investor Wealth Wiped Out in One Day
Indian Stock Markets Crash; ₹7 Lakh Crore Investor Wealth Wiped Out in One Day
Heavy last-hour selling and weak global cues triggered a broad market crash, wiping out over ₹7 lakh crore of investor wealth in a single day.
Mumbai, February 19, 2026:
Indian stock markets saw a sharp fall on Thursday, erasing more than ₹7 lakh crore of investor wealth in just one trading session. Heavy selling in the final hour pushed benchmark indices deep into negative territory and created panic across sectors.
The Sensex dropped 1,236 points to close at 82,498, while the Nifty 50 fell 365 points to settle at 25,454. Markets had opened in the green but quickly lost momentum as profit booking and weak global signals triggered a broad selloff, especially towards the close.
Market Capitalisation Falls Sharply
The total market value of companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange declined from about ₹472 lakh crore to nearly ₹465 lakh crore. This resulted in a one-day investor wealth loss of over ₹7 lakh crore.
High Volatility During the Day
- Sensex opened strong at 83,969 but slipped throughout the session.
- Nifty began at 25,873, fell to an intraday low of 25,388, and closed much lower.
- Broader markets also weakened:
- MidCap index fell 1.54%
- SmallCap index dropped 1.16%
All Major Sectors Decline
Selling pressure was seen across several sectors including banking, IT, metals, auto, and energy, showing that the fall was widespread across the market.
Big Stocks That Fell
Many major companies ended the day in the red, including:
- Reliance Industries
- Adani Ports
- IndiGo
- Mahindra & Mahindra
- Trent
- Bharat Electronics
- Kotak Mahindra Bank
- Hindustan Petroleum
- Paytm
- Godrej Properties
Why Did the Market Fall?
Experts point to five main reasons:
- Profit Booking: Investors sold stocks after the recent rally to lock in gains.
- Last-Hour Selling: Heavy sell orders late in the session deepened losses.
- Global Tensions: Rising conflict concerns between the US and Iran pushed crude prices up and raised inflation worries.
- Weak Global Markets: Negative international cues reduced investor confidence.
- Across-Sector Selling: Simultaneous declines in banking, IT, metals, autos, and energy stocks increased the pressure.
Market Outlook
Thursday turned into a difficult day for investors, as markets reversed sharply after a positive start. Traders and analysts will now watch closely to see whether markets stabilise in the coming sessions or face further downside.
Disclaimer
This report is for news and informational purposes only. Stock market investments carry risks, and investors should consult certified financial advisors before making decisions. The publisher and platform are not responsible for any financial losses.
