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Welcome to All You Need Markets — a quick breakdown of what moved markets this week and what investors should watch next.

This week was brutal for Indian equities.

Crude oil surged above $100, the rupee hit a record low, and foreign investors pulled ₹45,000+ crore out of Indian stocks.

The result: the worst week for markets in nearly four years.

Sensex: 74,563 ↓ −5.0% (weekly)
Nifty 50: 23,151 ↓ −4.6% (weekly)
Bank Nifty: ~55,101 ↓ −1.1% (Friday)
India VIX: ~22 ↑ 40%+ (volatility spike)
Brent Crude: $100.4 ↑ ~30% this week
Rupee / USD: ₹92.48 — record low

In just five trading sessions, Indian markets erased over ₹10 lakh crore in investor wealth.

The trigger behind the selloff was geopolitics and oil.

Escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran pushed Brent crude above $100 per barrel — its highest level in nearly four years.

India is especially vulnerable because it imports roughly 85% of its crude oil.

Higher oil prices quickly ripple through the economy by raising:

• inflation expectations
• fuel costs
• corporate input costs
• pressure on the rupee.

The rupee weakening to ₹92.48 per dollar amplified those concerns.

Several macro indicators deteriorated.

FII outflows (March so far): ₹45,000 Cr+
India CPI inflation (Feb): 3.21% — 11-month high
WTI crude: $95.7 per barrel

Foreign investors have now been net sellers for ten consecutive sessions.

Domestic institutions attempted to absorb some of the selling, but the pressure remained strong.

Several large-cap stocks led the decline.

Larsen & Toubro: ↓ −7.5%
Tata Steel: ↓ −5.2%
UltraTech Cement: ↓ −4.4%
SBI: ↓ −3.6%
Maruti Suzuki: ↓ −3.3%

Cyclical sectors like capital goods, metals, and autos were hit hardest.

Very few stocks managed to hold ground this week.

KPR Mill: ↑ +14%
L&T Technology Services: ↑ +10%
ACME Solar: ↑ +6%

Among Sensex companies, HUL and Bharti Airtel were the only stocks that closed positive on Friday — classic defensive plays during volatility.

Markets reopen Monday after the Holi holiday.

Key variables to watch:

Crude oil:
If tensions ease, markets could see a relief rally.
If oil stays above $100, pressure could continue.

FII flows:
Ten straight sessions of selling is significant.
Any reversal would be the first bullish signal.

Rupee movement:
A move above ₹93 per dollar would intensify inflation concerns.

Markets right now aren’t just reacting to an oil spike.

They’re trying to price how long the oil shock might last.

If crude stays elevated, the pressure spreads beyond energy stocks to sectors like:

• airlines
• chemicals
• paints
• consumer goods.

Weeks like this create panic — but they also create entry points investors recognise later in hindsight.

Not investment advice. Always do your own research.