Investor wealth eroded by Rs 7.25 lakh crore in 2018 amid volatile broader market conditions. The market capitalisation (m-cap) of BSE-listed companies slumped by Rs 7,25,401.31 crore to Rs 1,44,48,465.69 crore this year. The BSE benchmark Sensex has gained 2,011.5 points, or 5.90 per cent, in 2018. From its all-time peak of 38,989.65 scaled on August 29 this year, Sensex has fallen by 2,921.32 points, or 7.5 per cent, to 36,068.33. "In stark contrast to bullish opening today, last trading session of calendar year, market closed on a flattish note.

Mixed cues from global markets, lack of any fresh trigger, ensured that session remained uneventful," said Joseph Thomas, head research, Emkay Wealth Management. The 30-share BSE index fell 8.39 points to finish at 36,068.33 on final trading session of 2018. Marketmen said later part of year has been challenging for equity markets due to both global and domestic triggers. "In 2019, immediate attention could be on impending general elections, but basic direction of market would be, to a large extent, determined by interest rate policy of Fed and RBI, direction of oil prices, as also further developments in context of US-China tariff war, and fears of a hard Brexit," Thomas added. "The ongoing volatility may continue in near-term, due to premium valuation, slowdown in domestic economy, muted earnings growth in next two quarters, cascading effect of liquidity crunch in urban and rural market, short-term effect of national election with risk of populist measures and global effect of current uncertainties, impacting performance during initial part of 2019," Vinod Nair, head of research, Geojit said. However, as 2019 matures, above mentioned factors are likely to stabilise and provide a better investment horizon in long-term, Nair added. From 30-share pack, 15 stocks ended lower Monday led by Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank, Hero MotoCorp and NTPC. Reliance Industries Ltd is country's most valued firm with a m-cap of Rs 7,10,584.48 crore, followed by TCS Rs 7,10,532.81 crore, HDFC Bank (Rs 5,77,309.35 crore), Hindustan Unilever Ltd (Rs 3,93,544 crore) and ITC (Rs 3,44,934.39 crore) in top five order. On BSE, 1,503 stocks advanced, while 1,105 declined, and 192 remained unchanged on Monday.