Market Correction : Advance Decline Ratio hit 5 year low

The market breadth, a key indicator, has hit its lowest level in five years. The advance-to-decline (A/D) ratio, which measures rising versus declining stocks, dropped to 0.77 in February. This is the lowest since March 2020. More stocks, especially small- and mid-caps, are losing value.

Analysts link this drop to investor uncertainty and market fatigue. Weak corporate earnings, persistent foreign outflows, and economic uncertainties have driven the downturn, reducing investor confidence. The BSE MidCap and SmallCap indices have each lost over 8 percent, while Sensex and Nifty have declined by around 4 percent.

The falling market breadth shows growing investor caution. Small- and mid-cap stocks are underperforming, signaling a broader bearish sentiment. Institutional investors seem to be moving away from overvalued or weaker stocks to emerging market leaders. Past instances show that market breadth contractions often preceded sharp corrections.

Investors should stay cautious and consider shifting to large-cap stocks or defensive plays to navigate the current market volatility.