Benchmark stock market indices tanked as investor sentiment turned negative over a crude price surge amid Iran-US conflict.
The S&P BSE Sensex tanked 884.35 points to 80,402.84, while the NSE Nify50 fell 267.45 points to 24,911.20 as of 9:29 am.
Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited, said that the uncertainty related to the war in West Asia will loom large over the market in the near-term.
“The major risk from the market perspective is the energy risk arising from the surge in crude. Indications are that a sharp spike in crude by, say 20%, is likely only if the Hormuz Strait is closed, obstructing oil transport through the strait. There is no official confirmation of this yet. If Brent crude remains around $76 equity markets may remain weak but are unlikely to witness a big crash,” he added.
Experience tells us that panic selling during during a crisis is wrong strategy. Investors should refrain from selling and watch how things evolve. Data from crises during the last many decades tells us that an event like the present crisis will not have any impact on the market six months later. This is the takeaway from the market behaviour after the recent crises like the Covid crisis, Russia-Ukraine war and the Gaza conflict. The ongoing West Asian crisis is unlikely to be different. However, since a war can spring unexpected surprises, investors have to be cautious.
Weakness in the market can be used to slowly accumulate high quality stocks in domestic consumption themes like banking, automobiles, capital goods and defense.”
