Indian Equities Post Worst Start in Decades

Key Statistics:

• 11.4%: decline in the Sensex between 1 January and 16 March 2026
• 5th-worst start: to a year in the past 47 years, according to Mint's analysis of historical data

Indian equities have experienced a poor start to the year 2026, with the Sensex declining significantly due to rising oil prices amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia. This downturn threatens to impact corporate earnings.

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The decline of 11.4% in the Sensex between 1 January and 16 March 2026 marks one of the worst starts to a year in decades. According to historical data analysis by Mint, this decline ranks as the 5th-worst start to a year in the past 47 years. The current market situation raises concerns about the potential impact on corporate earnings and the overall performance of the Indian equities market.