Stock market crash: Why you should not stop your mutual fund SIPs in panic
India Today
When markets fall sharply, fear often takes over investing decisions. But did you know continuing SIPs during market crashes has historically rewarded disciplined investors?
If you opened your investment app today and saw your portfolio deep in the red, you’re not alone. Domestic stock markets have witnessed a sharp sell-off over the past few sessions as escalating tensions in the Middle East rattled global markets and triggered heavy selling on Dalal Street.
On Wednesday, the BSE Sensex plunged more than 1,300 points, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the key 23,900 level, with financial, auto and IT stocks leading the fall. Shares of Bajaj Finance dropped around 5%, while several heavyweight banking stocks also ended sharply lower.
The recent decline has been driven largely by fears that the conflict involving Iran could disrupt global oil supplies, push crude prices higher and create fresh inflation pressures worldwide.
For many investors, such sharp market swings trigger one immediate question: Should I stop my SIP for now?
Investment experts say the answer is usually no.
Sharp declines can make markets feel unstable, especially when they are triggered by global events such as wars or geopolitical tensions.
Sensex has declined over 6,000 points or roughly 7.5% in a little over two weeks as global tensions and rising oil prices triggered selling in equities.
Speaking in Parliament, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said India has adequate fuel stocks, and there is no cause for concern over availability.
Industry sources told India Today TV that airline operators are now paying additional insurance charges for every aircraft flying into the Middle East, significantly increasing the cost of operations on these routes.
Under law, a domestic household is generally allowed to keep two LPG cylinders of 14.2 kg each at a time. This usually includes one cylinder connected for use and another spare cylinder kept as backup.
Early signals from GIFT Nifty suggest that the benchmark indices could open lower when trading begins. GIFT Nifty futures were trading at 23,784.50 at around 7:58 am. This indicates that the Nifty 50 may open below Wednesday's closing level of 23,866.85.
When markets fall sharply, fear often takes over investing decisions. But did you know continuing SIPs during market crashes has historically rewarded disciplined investors?
The move comes as global energy markets remain on edge due to escalating tensions linked to the conflict involving Iran, which has raised fears of disruptions to crude oil shipments from the Middle East.
India consumes roughly 5.3 to 5.5 million barrels of crude oil every day. However, domestic production is only about 0.6 million barrels per day. This means the country depends on imports for nearly 85% of its oil needs.
At around 10:47 am, the BSE Sensex was down 750.68 points or 0.96% at 77,455.30, while the Nifty 50 slipped 208.25 points or 0.86% to 24,053.35.
Air India said the fuel surcharge is due to the sharp rise in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices since early March 2026, triggered by supply disruptions in the Gulf region.
Rahul Bhatia expressed gratitude to employees who worked tirelessly to restore operations during that challenging period, praising their resilience and dedication.
The Iran-US conflict has disrupted shipping through a key global oil export route, pushing oil prices higher. As a result, airline tickets on some routes have become much more expensive, and there are growing concerns that travel demand could weaken if the situation continues.