Why Indian Stock Market Are Reeling and What It Means for Investors

The Indian stock market took a brutal hit on April 7, 2025, as the BSE Sensex nosedived by a staggering 2,700 points, closing at 79,260.36 after an intraday drop of 3,251.09 points. The NSE Nifty wasn’t spared either, tumbling 788.45 points to settle at 24,219.35. Investors watched in dismay as over Rs 10 lakh crore in market wealth evaporated in a single day, marking one of the steepest declines in recent memory.

So, what sparked this chaos? Analysts point to a perfect storm of global and domestic pressures. The trigger came from across the Atlantic, where U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff threats against Mexico, Canada, and China—set to kick in on March 4—sent shockwaves through global markets. Indian stocks, already wobbly after five straight months of losses (a streak unseen since 1996), buckled under the weight of this news. Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have been dumping Indian equities to the tune of $25 billion since October, amplifying the panic.

The bloodbath hit hardest in key sectors: IT stocks cratered 4%, autos skidded 3.7%, PSU banks dropped 3.2%, and consumer stocks fell 3%. Mid- and small-cap companies weren’t immune, each shedding over 2.5%. Among the Sensex heavyweights, Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, and Infosys led the plunge, while a few resilient players like Sun Pharma and Hindustan Unilever managed to stay afloat.

Market watchers aren’t sugarcoating it—this could get worse before it gets better. Experts like Anil Rego from Right Horizons warn that jittery global conditions might push markets even lower. “The U.S. tariff fallout is rattling investor confidence worldwide, and India’s not insulated,” he said. Ambareesh Baliga, an independent analyst, echoed the sentiment, noting that the relentless FII sell-off and Trump’s “tariff tantrums” could keep the downward spiral spinning.

Adding fuel to the fire, the Indian rupee hit a record low of 86.61 against the U.S. dollar, its sharpest single-day drop in nearly two years. Rising U.S. bond yields and fears of a slowing American economy only deepened the gloom. Deepak Jasani of HDFC Securities highlighted domestic woes too: “High valuations and stretched investor expectations were a ticking time bomb waiting for a global cue like this.”

For everyday investors, the scene feels like a rollercoaster with no brakes. After a record-breaking rally that saw the Sensex peak at 85,978.25 in late 2024, this crash has wiped out gains and left portfolios bleeding. Social media is buzzing with reactions—some traders are calling it a “buying opportunity,” while others lament the timing, urging caution until the dust settles.

What’s next? Analysts suggest buckling up for more volatility. With Trump’s policies looming large and FIIs showing no signs of slowing their exodus, the road ahead looks bumpy. Yet, there’s a sliver of hope—seasoned investors might find bargains in this chaos, provided they’ve got the stomach for risk. For now, though, India’s stock market is nursing its wounds, and the world’s eyes are on how it’ll weather this storm.

Fresh Funding Fuels Spinny’s Growth in the Thriving Pre-Owned Car Sector

Used-car marketplace Spinny has raised 1 million in a funding round led by Accel Leaders Fund, according to news reports. This fundraising comes at a time when the used-car market, which recorded 4.6 million sales in 2023, is projected to reach 10.8 million by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of 13 per cent, according to a CARS24 report.

The expansion is driven by rising demand across both urban centres and smaller townsThe fundraising comes amid increased activity in the used-car marketplace, following Droom’s recent million funding round, which, according to reports, was co-led by India Accelerator and Finvolve, as the company prepares for an IPO.

Founded in 2015, the online used-marketplace, the company previously raised 8 million in its Series D funding round in 2021 from new and existing investors, led by Tiger Global. Another new investor in the round is New York-based Avenir Growth.