Stock Market Crash LIVE Updates: Sensex off day's low, down 150pts; SmallCap index

New Delhi, February 14, 2025 – The Indian stock market faced another turbulent session on Friday, with the Nifty Smallcap 100 index officially entering a bear phase after plunging approximately 22% from its peak of 19,716.20. The index slumped nearly 4% in a single day, closing at 15,373.70.

The broader market witnessed a widespread sell-off, dragging the Nifty Midcap 150 index down by 2.5%, which settled at 18,325.40. Pharma stocks bore the brunt of selling pressure, following reciprocal tariff threats from the U.S. on Thursday. Natco Pharma and Laurus Labs tumbled over 9% each, while other stocks like IFCI, Glenmark Pharma, Finolex Cables, HFCL, BEML, and Apar Industries fell more than 7%.

Sensex, Nifty Recover from Lows

Despite the heavy decline in small- and midcap stocks, the benchmark indices showed resilience in late trade. The BSE Sensex closed 200 points lower at 75,939, recovering from its intra-day low of 75,439, thanks to buying in blue-chip stocks. On similar lines, the Nifty 50 shed 102 points, closing at 22,929.

Some of the top losers on the Nifty 50 index included Adani Ports, BEL, Adani Enterprises, Trent, Grasim, Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, and Sun Pharma, which dropped between 2.5% and 5%.

Market Capitalization Dips Below $4 Trillion

Adding to investor concerns, India’s stock market capitalization fell below the $4-trillion mark for the first time in over 14 months, primarily due to a weakening rupee against the U.S. dollar.

Analyst Take: More Downside Ahead?

According to Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, market sentiment remains bearish, with the Nifty struggling below its critical short-term moving average.

“A decisive fall below 22,800 could trigger further panic selling. On the upside, 23,100 remains a key resistance level, above which we may see some recovery,” De noted.

Expert Views on Market Outlook

Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, pointed out that weak corporate earnings, a depreciating rupee, and global trade uncertainties are keeping investors on edge. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) are likely to continue their outflows, keeping market volatility elevated until there is more clarity on tariffs and earnings recovery.

Stock Market Highlights

Sensex: Closed at 75,939.21, down 199.76 points (0.26%)

Nifty 50: Closed at 22,929.25, down 102.15 points (0.44%)

BSE Midcap Index: Down over 2%

BSE Smallcap Index: Down over 3%

Top Sensex Gainers: Nestle India, ICICI Bank, Infosys

Top Sensex Losers: Adani Ports, Sun Pharma, UltraTech Cement

IPO Market & Other Updates

Hexaware Technologies IPO was fully subscribed, with Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) leading the demand.

Hyundai Motor India marked 25 years of exports, surpassing 3.7 million units globally.

Vodafone Idea shares fell 6%, following a Supreme Court verdict dismissing pleas against AGR dues miscalculation.

What’s Next?

Market participants will be closely watching for global cues, FII activity, and corporate earnings data to gauge the market’s future direction. With sentiment still weak, investors are advised to exercise caution and adopt a stock-specific approach in the coming weeks.