Flatline At The Top: Nifty 50 Delivers Zero Returns Over One Year, Valuation Concerns Resurface

India’s benchmark equity index, the Nifty 50, has posted zero returns over the past 12 months, raising fresh questions about the sustainability of current market valuations. Despite strong corporate earnings in select sectors and robust retail participation, the index has failed to deliver gains, prompting analysts to reassess whether the Indian stock market remains overvalued.

 

The stagnation comes amid global economic uncertainty, rising interest rates, and cautious institutional flows. While the broader market has seen pockets of activity, especially in mid- and small-cap segments, the Nifty’s flat performance underscores a deeper valuation disconnect in large-cap stocks.

 

Key Highlights From Market Observations

 

•⁠  ⁠Nifty 50 has delivered negligible returns from September 2024 to September 2025  

•⁠  ⁠Current price-to-earnings ratio stands at 22 to 23 times, above its long-term average  

•⁠  ⁠Price-to-book ratio hovers near 3.4 times, with dividend yield at a modest 1.3 percent  

•⁠  ⁠Veteran investor Shankar Sharma predicts zero returns for Nifty over the next five years  

•⁠  ⁠Large-cap stocks showing signs of valuation fatigue, while small-caps face sharper corrections  

 

Valuation Metrics Signal Caution

 

The Nifty’s current valuation metrics remain elevated compared to historical norms. A P/E ratio of 22 to 23 times suggests stretched pricing, especially when juxtaposed with muted earnings growth in several sectors. The price-to-book ratio of 3.4 is also above the comfort zone for long-term investors, indicating limited margin of safety.

 

Dividend yields have remained low, at around 1.3 percent, offering little incentive for income-focused investors. These indicators collectively point to a market that may be pricing in optimism without sufficient earnings support.

 

Shankar Sharma’s Bearish Outlook

 

At the Global Wealth Summit 2025, veteran investor Shankar Sharma offered a sobering perspective, predicting that the Nifty 50 may deliver zero returns for the next four to five years. He attributed this to the exhaustion of the current bull market cycle, which he believes has reached its fifth and final year.

 

Sharma’s theory suggests that while small-cap stocks have already corrected sharply, large-caps will undergo a slow and persistent decline. He described this as a valuation grind rather than a crash, with large-cap stocks drifting lower over time to correct overvaluation.

 

Market Dynamics And Sectoral Trends

 

•⁠  ⁠Banking and financial services have shown resilience, but valuations remain high  

•⁠  ⁠IT and pharma sectors have underperformed due to global headwinds and margin pressures  

•⁠  ⁠FMCG stocks continue to trade at premium multiples despite volume stagnation  

•⁠  ⁠Auto and capital goods have seen selective buying, driven by domestic demand  

•⁠  ⁠Real estate and infrastructure stocks have rallied, but face regulatory and funding risks  

 

Retail investors have continued to pour money into mutual funds and direct equities, but institutional flows have turned cautious. Foreign portfolio investors have trimmed exposure to large-cap Indian stocks, citing valuation concerns and better opportunities in emerging markets with lower multiples.

 

What Should Investors Watch Next?

 

•⁠  ⁠Corporate earnings for Q2 FY26 will be critical in validating current valuations  

•⁠  ⁠RBI’s monetary policy stance and inflation trajectory could influence rate-sensitive sectors  

•⁠  ⁠Global cues, especially from the US Federal Reserve and China’s economic data, will impact sentiment  

•⁠  ⁠Regulatory developments around capital gains tax and market disclosures may affect flows  

•⁠  ⁠IPO pipeline and liquidity trends will shape mid-cap and small-cap momentum  

 

Looking Ahead

 

The Nifty 50’s flat performance over the past year is not just a statistical anomaly—it is a signal that the market may be entering a phase of consolidation. While India’s long-term growth story remains intact, investors may need to recalibrate expectations and adopt a more selective, valuation-conscious approach.

 

As the festive quarter begins, market participants will be watching earnings, policy cues, and global developments closely. Whether this is a pause before the next rally or the start of a prolonged grind remains to be seen.

 

Sources: LiveMint, Moneycontrol, NiftyTrader.