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Equity benchmark Sensex plummeted 1,407 points on Monday as panic over a new strain of coronavirus in the UK led to a massive selloff in global equities. The 30-share BSE index plunged 1,406.73 points or 3% to close at 45,553.96. The broader NSE Nifty crashed 432.15 points or 3.14% to 13,328.40.
All Sensex components ended in the red, with ONGC leading the pack by tanking around 9%. IndusInd Bank, M&M, SBI, NTPC, ITC, Axis Bank and PowerGrid shed up to 7%.
"Domestic equities witnessed sharp selling pressure today and wiped out more than Rs 7 trillion of investors' wealth in a single day," said Binod Modi, Head- Strategy at Reliance Securities.
Concerns of new COVID-19 strain in the UK and emerging doubts over efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination dented investors' sentiments globally, he said, adding that Indian market was among the worst performers as profit-booking also took place at higher levels.
Notably, volatility index witnessed sharp jump of 25%, indicating more volatility ahead, he asserted.
Stock exchanges in Paris, Frankfurt and London were trading up to 2.50 per lower in early deals. Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Hong Kong and Tokyo ended in the red, while Shanghai and Seoul settled with mild gains. Global oil benchmark Brent crude futures plummetted 5.30% to $49.49 per barrel.