- India’s financial markets have been experiencing extreme volatility since the onset of May 2024, a crucial period marked by the last phases of polling for the Lok Sabha elections, followed by the counting of votes and results on June 4, 2024.
- A lower voter turnout so far in poll phases has raised concerns whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies can achieve the landslide victory predicted by opinion polls last month.
- This uncertainty has led to a significant change in the market’s fear gauge index — ‘India VIX’—which gained 386 percentage points during last week to touch 18.47, a 19-month high.
Amid the ongoing Lok Sabha elections, India’s financial markets face extreme volatility, with the ‘India VIX’ index reaching a 19-month high. Investors are concerned about the potential impact of the election results on market stability.
Market Volatility Amid Election Season
The Indian financial markets have been on a roller coaster ride since the onset of May 2024, a period marked by the crucial last phases of polling for the Lok Sabha elections. The lower voter turnout so far has raised questions about the predicted landslide victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies. This uncertainty has led to significant market volatility, with the ‘India VIX’ index gaining 386 percentage points during last week to touch a 19-month high.
Impact on Frontline Indices
In the week ended May 10, the frontline indices logged their worst performance since mid-March, dropping about 1.8 per cent each and also snapped two straight weeks of gains. On a weekly basis, the BSE benchmark tanked 1,213.68 points or 1.64 per cent, and the Nifty 50 declined 420.65 points or 1.87 per cent. So far in May, Sensex and Nifty 50 have swung 2.67 per cent and 2.68 per cent respectively.
Conclusion
The ongoing Lok Sabha elections have brought a wave of uncertainty to India’s financial markets, leading to significant volatility. As the election results approach, investors will be closely watching the market’s reaction and the potential impact on their investments. It’s a crucial time for the Indian economy, and the outcome of these elections could set the tone for market trends in the near future.
