Indian benchmarks deepened their February slide on Wednesday, with Nifty tumbling 0.8% to 25,300 and Sensex shedding 0.9% to 82,700, battered by persistent FII selling (₹3,000 Cr net out) and pre-earnings caution in consumer and infra sectors. At least 30 scrips hit lower price bands (mostly 5-10%), halting trades amid margin calls and global yield pressures. This extends the month's volatility, wiping ₹120 Cr in value from leaders like Jtlind (down 9.99% to ₹68.02 on industrial slowdown), Genuspower (up 0.89% but hit band on power woes), and Ifbagro (down 1.08% to ₹1,106.80 amid agro margin squeeze).
The rout underscores broader risk-off sentiment, with SMEs and BE series hardest hit on thin liquidity. Volumes contracted 18%, but sellers dominated 3:1. Analysts flag Q3 previews as key—potential relief if IT/pharma deliver.
Top Lower Band Hitters (Sorted by Traded Value)
Snapshot of the biggest losers by value, from BSE/NSE:
| Rank | Stock Name | Series | LTP (₹) | % Decline (Band) | Volume (Lakh Shares) | Traded Value (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jtlind | EQ | 68.02 | -9.99 (10%) | 114.74 | 82.34 |
| 2 | Genuspower | EQ | 265.35 | 0.89 (20%) | 17.51 | 45.45 |
| 3 | Ifbagro | EQ | 1106.80 | -1.08 | 0.52 | 5.69 |
| 4 | Coolcaps | SM | 33.25 | -9.89 (10%) | 9.90 | 3.36 |
| 5 | Maxvolt | ST | 330.00 | -0.18 | 0.50 | 1.62 |
| 6 | Biofilchem | EQ | 41.71 | -9.99 (10%) | 3.47 | 1.48 |
| 7 | Ganeshin | SM | 114.50 | -4.98 | 0.89 | 1.03 |
| 8 | Techlabs | SM | 223.45 | -5.00 | 0.40 | 0.89 |
| 9 | Mangalam | BE | 36.01 | -4.99 | 1.90 | 0.69 |
| 10 | Kandarp | SM | 149.20 | -5.00 | 0.16 | 0.24 |
| 11 | Zenithstl | EQ | 4.60 | -4.96 | 5.12 | 0.24 |
| 12 | Tphq | EQ | 0.59 | -1.67 | 21.06 | 0.12 |
| 13 | Captrust | EQ | 15.33 | -4.96 | 0.63 | 0.10 |
Key Highlights:
- Jtlind's 10% Lock: The industrial firm erased ₹82.34 Cr in value at ₹68.02, slammed by slowdown and export curbs—volumes exploded 6x.
- Genuspower's Power Ebb: Up 0.89% but hit band to ₹265.35 on subsidy fears, shedding ₹45.45 Cr; retail favorite turns sour.
- Ifbagro's Agro Pain: Slipped 1.08% to ₹1,106.80, floored on input cost hikes—volumes doubled.
- SME Bloodbath: Coolcaps (-9.89%) and Biofilchem (-9.99%) led small-cap hits on leverage unwind and Q3 uncertainty.
Value seekers may nibble at RSI <30 levels, but downside risks loom if U.S. data disappoints. Nifty eyes 25,200 support—watch chemical earnings for cues. BSE/NSE data; halts in effect.
