Stocks Plunge 1.4% Amid Massive Capital Outflow

Tehran’s share market was bearish in the past trading week ending Wednesday amid outflow of capital and renewed hesitation of retail investors. 
The benchmark of Tehran Stock Exchange, TEDPIX, shed 21,682 losing 1.4% in three working days. Small caps took a bigger drubbing as seen in more than 1.9% decline in the TSE’s equal-weighted index. 
Amid heightened uncertainty, retail investors are showing fresh unwillingness to trade in recent days with institutional investors taking a more active role in trying to lift the sagging market.     
Retail trade plunged 16% last week compared with the preceding week with the average trade declining from 48.75 trillion rials ($152 million) to 41.04 trillion rials ($128m) per day.  
Persistent decline in retail trade is seen as a bad omen for the bourse and experts say if the share market is to improve active and sustainable participation of retail investors is a must. 
With retail traders in a rush to sell, the market saw outflow of capital in three sessions. Capital outflow by retail investors reached 18.28 trillion rials ($57m) in the week – up 89% on Wednesday.