Why stock markets are volatile: Major reasons why 

FIIs selling:  Strong selloff by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) could be a reason for the recent volatility in the Indian stock market as in the last three trading sessions, FIIs sold off Indian equities worth ₹982 crore, as per NSDL data.

Lok Sabha elections effect: Amid Lok Sabha elections, the relatively low turnout is likely to have resulted in jitters among retail investors as V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said, “Perhaps the more significant factor might be the apprehensions emanating from the unexpectedly low turnout in the elections so far. One view is that the definite and smooth victory of the ruling dispensation is a bit uncertain now. The market, which has already discounted a BJP/NDA victory, is a bit unsure now. Perhaps this can be the reason for the apprehension in the market and the bulls shedding their aggressive stance.”

Premium valuation: Stock market is at a premium valuation against its historical average. Motilal Oswal Financial Services noted that Nifty 50 is trading at a 12-month forward P/E of 19.3 times while Kotak Institutional Equities said that the Indian market continues to trade at expensive levels.

Q4 earnings: Q4 earnings of several companies has been released and Kotak said that owing to no positive surprise, the stock market could be volatile. It said, “A few companies have delivered negative surprises. Consumption and outsourcing continue to be weak, while financials continue to exhibit strength. Limited upgrades in earnings are in sharp contrast to elevated market expectations and rich valuations.”