Small stocks lag behind bluechips, fall up to 12% so far in 2018

Small and mid-cap indices of the BSE have taken a bigger hit as compared to their bigger peers, with smaller stocks falling up to 12 per cent so far this year. Small stocks tend to suffer more during times of uncertainty, experts said. While the small-cap index has fallen by 11.62 per cent to 16,994.36 so far in 2018, the mid-cap index dropped 10.43 per cent to 15,962.59, an analysis of their performance showed. The BSE flagship Sensex, meanwhile, lost 3.19 per cent to 32,968.68 so far this year. The 30-share index touched its all-time high of 36,443.98 on January 29, 2018.

The small-cap index scaled its record high of 20,183.45 on January 15 this year and the mid-cap index hit its lifetime peak of 18,321.37 on January 9, 2018.

"We had a good rally during the first 10 months of FY18, led by strong inflows from domestic and foreign investors. In the last two months, large, mid and small-cap indices have fallen due to selling pressure from LTCG and increase in domestic and global bond yield," said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services.

Rally in the market derailed February onwards. The Sensex surged 6.36 per cent in January, while in February it lost 4.79 per cent and in March it fell by 3.16 per cent.

"As we step into FY19, we see several headwinds like political uncertainties, rising bond yields, global trade issues and slowdown in foreign fund flows. Key triggers for Indian markets in FY19 could be political developments and outcome of large state elections like Karnataka, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh," said Sandeep Chordia, Executive Vice-President Strategy, Kotak Securities.

According to market analysts, smaller stocks are generally bought by local investors, while overseas investors focus on blue-chips.

The mid-cap index tracks companies with a market value that is, on an average, one-fifth of bluechips or large firms. Small-cap firms are almost a tenth of that.