Top 10 firms lose ₹1 lakh crore in market cap; TCS biggest loser
Synopsis
India's equity markets had a bruising week — five of the country's 10 most-valued firms collectively shed ₹1 lakh crore in market cap, with TCS alone losing over ₹34,000 crore. Even as LIC and Bharti Airtel posted gains, the net damage underscores how vulnerable blue-chip valuations remain to sustained domestic selling pressure.
Key Takeaways
Five of India's top 10 valued firms lost a combined ₹1 lakh crore in market capitalisation in the week ended 16 August .
TCS was the biggest loser, shedding ₹34,263.28 crore to close at a market cap of ₹8.53 lakh crore .
Reliance Industries lost ₹31,869.13 crore , ending the week valued at ₹17.70 lakh crore — still India's most-valued company.
The Sensex fell 489.92 points (0.62%) and the Nifty dropped 204.65 points (0.83%) over the week.
LIC and Bharti Airtel led gainers, adding ₹26,438.49 crore and ₹20,592.13 crore respectively.
The five gainers in the top-10 group collectively added ₹55,149.45 crore , partially offsetting the losses.
Five of India's 10 most-valued companies shed a combined ₹1 lakh crore in market capitalisation last week, as persistent weakness in domestic equities eroded investor confidence. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) emerged as the steepest decliner among the group, according to market data for the week ended 16 August.
Key Losers of the Week
TCS recorded the sharpest erosion, with its market capitalisation falling ₹34,263.28 crore to ₹8.53 lakh crore. Reliance Industries, the country's most-valued firm, saw its valuation decline by ₹31,869.13 crore to ₹17.70 lakh crore.
State Bank of India (SBI) suffered the third-largest loss, with market cap shrinking by ₹25,891.88 crore to ₹9.86 lakh crore. HDFC Bank lost ₹7,165.37 crore, closing the week at a valuation of ₹11.21 lakh crore, while ICICI Bank shed ₹2,792.65 crore to end at ₹10.18 lakh crore.
Broader Market Under Pressure
The week's losses unfolded against a backdrop of broad-based selling. The Sensex fell 489.92 points, or 0.62%, while the Nifty declined 204.65 points, or 0.83%, reflecting sustained pressure on domestic equities. This marks the latest in a series of risk-off sessions that have weighed on blue-chip valuations in recent weeks.
Gainers Cushion the Blow
Not all top-10 firms were in the red. Five companies in the group collectively added ₹55,149.45 crore in market value, partially offsetting the broader losses.
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) led the gainers, with its market capitalisation rising ₹26,438.49 crore to ₹5.23 lakh crore. Bharti Airtel followed with a gain of ₹20,592.13 crore, pushing its valuation to ₹12.43 lakh crore. Bajaj Finance added ₹3,548.79 crore to reach ₹6.77 lakh crore, Larsen & Toubro gained ₹2,490.66 crore to ₹5.59 lakh crore, and Hindustan Unilever rose ₹2,079.38 crore to ₹4.91 lakh crore.
Rankings at Week's End
At the close of the week, Reliance Industries retained its position as India's most-valued company, followed by Bharti Airtel, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, TCS, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, LIC, and Hindustan Unilever.
With sentiment remaining fragile, market participants will be watching upcoming macroeconomic data and global cues closely to gauge whether the selling pressure extends into the following week.
Point of View
While Reliance's slide despite its diversified portfolio suggests the selling is broad rather than sector-specific. The fact that gainers like LIC and Bharti Airtel managed to add ₹55,000 crore collectively shows selective accumulation is underway, but it is not yet enough to offset the drag from the heavyweights. Until global risk appetite stabilises and domestic macro data provides clearer direction, weekly volatility of this magnitude may become the norm rather than the exception.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies lost the most market cap last week?
TCS led the losses with a drop of ₹34,263.28 crore, followed by Reliance Industries (₹31,869.13 crore) and State Bank of India (₹25,891.88 crore). HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank also featured among the top losers.
How much did the Sensex and Nifty fall during the week?
The Sensex declined 489.92 points, or 0.62%, while the Nifty fell 204.65 points, or 0.83%, over the week ended 16 August, reflecting broad weakness in domestic equities.
Which top-10 companies gained market cap last week?
LIC gained the most, adding ₹26,438.49 crore to reach ₹5.23 lakh crore, followed by Bharti Airtel (₹20,592.13 crore), Bajaj Finance (₹3,548.79 crore), Larsen & Toubro (₹2,490.66 crore), and Hindustan Unilever (₹2,079.38 crore).
Which company is India's most-valued firm after last week's losses?
Reliance Industries retained the top spot despite losing ₹31,869.13 crore, ending the week with a market capitalisation of ₹17.70 lakh crore. It was followed by Bharti Airtel and HDFC Bank in the rankings.
Why did India's top companies lose market value last week?
The losses were driven by weakness in domestic equities, with the Sensex and Nifty both declining over the week. IT and banking stocks were particularly under pressure, contributing to the combined ₹1 lakh crore erosion across five of the top-10 firms.
