Benchmark Indices Plunge as Investor Wealth Plummets On Thursday, March 19, major benchmark indices experienced a sharp decline, resulting in the loss of over ₹9 lakh crore in investor wealth. The Nifty 50 index saw most of its constituents trade in the red, with five companies hitting 52-week lows. These declines affected several key players in the Indian market, including some of the largest firms. HDFC Bank's shares reached a 52-week low of ₹770, marking a 24.5% drop from their previous peak of ₹1,020.5. The stock closed 4% lower on the day and has fallen 18% year-to-date. The banking giant's shares have also declined 7% over the past 12 months. Cipla's shares fell nearly 2% on Thursday, extending its 2026 losses to 17%. The stock hit a new 52-week low, dropping 25.65% from its peak of ₹1,673. It has also declined 21% in the last six months, with its current price at ₹1,243.80. ITC's shares fell over 1% on Thursday, hitting intraday and 52-week lows of ₹299.55. The stock is now down 33% from its 52-week high of ₹444.20. It has declined 17% so far this year, with most of the losses occurring in the early days of 2026. The stock has also dropped 25% over the past 12 months. Kotak Mahindra Bank's shares hit their 52-week low of ₹363.35 after falling over 3% from Wednesday's closing price. The stock has corrected 21% from its 52-week high of ₹460.38. For the year so far, the stock is down nearly 17%, with negative returns of 9% over the last 12 months. Hindustan Unilever Ltd.'s shares traded nearly 2% lower on Thursday, reaching a 52-week low of ₹2,097. The stock had previously peaked at ₹2,750 on September 4 last year, from which it has corrected 23.75%. It has declined 9.6% year-to-date and dropped 18% over the last six months. Bajaj Finserv's shares hit their 52-week low of ₹1,723.#nifty_50 #kotak_mahindra_bank #hdfc_bank #cipla #itc
