Big Sensex falls in 20 years and market reaction to other viral outbreaks

In a week that saw the Sensex drop nearly 5,700 points, Coronavirus fears shaved off 2,919 points on 12 March, the steepest single-day fall in market history.

ET Wealth looks at some of the biggest crashes in the past two decades, the worst single-day falls and market reaction to some of the viral outbreaks.

How Sensex reacted to viral outbreaks
The markets took a hit during the course of the viral, but managed to recover within six months.

SARS
Duration of epidemic (Jan-Mar 2003): -10.1%
Next six months (Apr-Sep 2003): 44.5%

Avian influenza
Duration of epidemic (Jan-Aug 2004): -12.3%
Next six months (Sep 2004-Feb 2005): 28.8%

Ebola
Duration of epidemic (Dec 2013-Feb 2014): -1.1%
Next six months (Mar-Aug 2014): 28.3%

Zika
Duration of epidemic (Nov 2015-Feb 2016): -13.4%
Next six months (Mar-Aug 2016): 19.7%

Source: Ace Equity

10 worst single-day falls

Market fall has been defined as a drop of 20% from its peak. Source: ACE Equity