Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 13:39 IST

India’s Sensex and Nifty correct 6-7%, with 80% of stocks in bear territory. Monarch AIF reports 64% of stocks over Rs 1,000 crore market cap has fallen 30%.

Hundreds of midcap and smallcap companies have quietly lost significant value.

India’s benchmark indices may not show it, but a large part of the market is already in deep correction. According to a report by Monarch AIF, while the Sensex and Nifty have corrected only about 6-7 per cent from their record highs, nearly 80 per cent of listed stocks are already in bear market territory.

The data highlights a sharp divergence between headline indices and the broader market.

Majority of Stocks Deep In Correction

The report analysed companies with a market capitalisation above Rs 1,000 crore.

It found that over 64 per cent of these stocks have fallen more than 30 per cent from their all-time highs. Nearly 78 per cent have declined over 20 per cent.

In simple terms, most stocks in the market have already seen a brutal correction even though benchmark indices remain relatively elevated.

This unusual divergence has been playing out for the past 18 months.

Why Indices Are Still Holding Up

According to the report, Indian markets are witnessing a rare phase of simultaneous time and value correction.

A narrow set of large-cap stocks has kept the benchmark indices elevated. Meanwhile, hundreds of midcap and smallcap companies have quietly lost significant value.

This has created a misleading picture where the indices appear stable but the broader market has been under sustained pressure.

Now A New Shock: Middle East War

The situation has become more complicated after the recent escalation in West Asia.

Following US-Israel strikes on Iran, global markets have turned volatile and crude oil prices have surged.

Amid these developments, the Sensex recently fell over 1,000 points, while the Nifty slipped below the 24,900 level.

For investors, the challenge is that a market already weakened by months of selling is now facing geopolitical risks and a potential oil shock.

Should Investors Buy Or Wait?

Aakash Shah, Technical Research Analyst at Choice Equity Broking, advised caution. “Amid persistent global uncertainties and elevated volatility, market participants are advised to maintain discipline and adopt a selective approach, focusing on fundamentally strong stocks during corrective phases. Fresh long positions should ideally be considered only after a decisive and sustained breakout above the 25,000 mark on the Nifty, which would signal improving sentiment and confirm the development of a stronger bullish structure,” he said.

Key Risk For India: Rising Oil

V K Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist at Geojit Investments, said the biggest concern for India is rising crude prices.

“With the war escalating and crude rising, markets are going into a period of heightened uncertainty. Nobody knows how long this conflict will go on and what will be the extent of the havoc it could wreck. From the perspective of India, which relies on imports for around 85% of her oil requirements, the real concern is the potential inflation and its consequences on economic growth. From the market perspective, the impact of potentially widening trade deficit, depreciating currency, higher inflation and perhaps lower growth is the real issue. If this fear materialises, corporate earnings will be impacted,” he said.

However, he added that the impact may be temporary if the conflict ends quickly.

“If it ends in, say 3 to 4 weeks, things will be back to normal,” he said.

Don’t Panic, Use Corrections

Despite the volatility, Vijayakumar advised investors not to panic. “Experience tells us that panicking and getting out of the market during uncertain times like these is not the right thing to do. Markets have an uncanny ability to surprise and climb all walls of worries,” he said.

According to him, investors with a long investment horizon and higher risk appetite can gradually accumulate quality stocks during corrections.

He added that sectors such as banking, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and defence may offer attractive long-term opportunities.

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google.

Check Iran Israel War News Live, Dubai News Today And Lunar Eclipse 2026 In India Updates.

Follow News18 on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18. Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. To Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated.

Read More

Last Updated:March 04, 2026, 07:33 IST

Petrol, Diesel Price On March 4: Check City-Wise Rates Across India Including In Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

Petrol, Diesel Prices On March 4.

Petrol and Diesel Prices on March 4, 2026: OMCs update petrol and diesel prices daily at 6 AM, aligning them with fluctuations in global crude oil prices and currency exchange rates. This daily revision promotes transparency and ensures consumers have access to the most up-to-date and accurate fuel prices.

Petrol Diesel Price Today In India

Check city-wise petrol and diesel prices on March 4:

City	Petrol (₹/L)	Diesel (₹/L)
New Delhi	94.72	87.62
Mumbai	104.21	92.15
Kolkata	103.94	90.76
Chennai	100.75	92.34
Ahmedabad	94.49	90.17
Bengaluru	102.92	89.02
Hyderabad	107.46	95.70
Jaipur	104.72	90.21
Lucknow	94.69	87.80
Pune	104.04	90.57
Chandigarh	94.30	82.45
Indore	106.48	91.88
Patna	105.58	93.80
Surat	95.00	89.00
Nashik	95.50	89.50

Key Factors Behind Petrol and Diesel Rates

Petrol and diesel prices in India have remained unchanged since May 2022, following tax reductions by the central and several state governments.

Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) update fuel prices daily at 6 am, adjusting for fluctuations in global crude oil markets. While these rates are technically market-linked, they are also influenced by regulatory measures such as excise duties, base pricing frameworks, and informal price caps.

Key Factors Influencing Fuel Prices in India

• Crude Oil Prices: Global crude oil prices are a primary driver of fuel prices, as crude is the main input in petrol and diesel production.

• Exchange Rate: Since India relies heavily on crude oil imports, the value of the Indian rupee against the US dollar significantly affects fuel costs. A weaker rupee typically translates to higher prices.

• Taxes: Central and state-level taxes constitute a major portion of retail fuel prices. Tax rates vary across states, leading to regional price differences.

• Refining Costs: The cost of processing crude oil into usable fuel impacts retail prices. These costs can fluctuate depending on crude quality and refinery efficiency.

• Demand-Supply Dynamics: Market demand also influences fuel pricing. Higher demand can push prices up as supply adjusts to consumption trends.

How to Check Petrol and Diesel Prices via SMS

You can easily check the latest petrol and diesel prices in your city through SMS. For Indian Oil customers, text the city code followed by “RSP” to 9224992249. BPCL customers can send “RSP” to 9223112222, and HPCL customers can text “HP Price” to 9222201122 to receive the current fuel prices.

Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google.

Check Iran Israel War News Live, Dubai News Today And Lunar Eclipse 2026 In India Updates.

Follow News18 on Google. Join the fun, play games on News18. Stay updated with all the latest business news, including market trends, stock updates, tax, IPO, banking finance, real estate, savings and investments. To Get in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and real-time updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated.

First Published:

March 04, 2026, 07:33 IST

News business economy Petrol, Diesel Fresh Prices Announced: Check Rates In Your City On March 4

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Read More