The Sensex tracks thirty large BSE-listed stocks. Launched in 1986, it remains the number TV tickers quote - even though professionals benchmark to the broader Nifty.
Same market, slightly narrower basket: expect near-identical long-run returns with marginally higher concentration.
Example
'Sensex crosses 80,000' headlines mark sentiment milestones - useful for gauging euphoria, useless for timing entries.
In Ticker Screener
Watch Indian benchmarks beside your holdings in the Markets tab, with macro tiles (inflation, GDP) for context behind the number.
Frequently asked questions
Can I invest directly in the Sensex?
Via Sensex ETFs and index funds from multiple AMCs - compare expense ratio and tracking error first.
Related terms
Nifty 50
India's benchmark: 50 large stocks across 14+ sectors on the NSE. When India 'is up 1%', this is usually the number.
Index
A rule-based basket measuring a market slice - Nifty 50, S&P 500, gold prices. The benchmark everything gets judged against.
ETF
Exchange-traded fund: a basket of stocks, bonds or gold bought like one share. Instant diversification, tiny fees.
P/E, ROCE, ROE, P/B, dividend yield and market cap — live beside every price in your watchlist.