Last Updated on Oct 8, 2025 by Durga Mishra

The S&P BSE SENSEX, often called the Sensex, is the benchmark index of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). It represents the performance of 30 of India’s largest and most actively traded companies, spanning key sectors like banking, IT, energy, and consumer goods. Launched in 1986, the Sensex serves as a barometer of India’s economic health, reflecting the overall direction and sentiment of the stock market.

What are Sensex Companies?

As a market index tracks the performance of a certain group of stocks, bonds, or other investments, Sensex tracks the movements of 30 Indian Companies listed in Sensex. Here is the list of the BSE Sensex 30 companies, their sectors, index weight and their free-float market cap as of 6th October 2025.

StockSectorIndex weightFree Float Marketcap
HDFC Bank LtdFinancials15.551492025.34
ICICI Bank LtdFinancials9.97957057.93
Reliance Industries LtdEnergy9.81941169.28
Infosys LtdInformation Technology5.38515967.35
Bharti Airtel LtdCommunication Services5.28506430.65
Larsen and Toubro LtdIndustrials4.49431272.47
ITC LtdConsumer Staples3.80364879.00
Axis Bank LtdFinancials3.80364328.70
State Bank of IndiaFinancials3.63348534.92
Mahindra and Mahindra LtdConsumer Discretionary3.26312889.09
Tata Consultancy Services LtdFinancials3.16303482.62
Kotak Mahindra Bank LtdInformation Technology3.16303424.73
Bajaj Finance LtdFinancials2.83271923.64
Eternal LtdCommunication Services2.41231635.18
Hindustan Unilever LtdConsumer Staples2.35225438.59
Maruti Suzuki India LtdConsumer Discretionary2.19210033.38
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries LtdHealth Care1.83175686.58
NTPC LtdUtilities1.61154434.78
HCL Technologies LtdInformation Technology1.55148334.71
Tata Motors LtdConsumer Discretionary1.52145650.55
Tata Steel LtdInformation Technology1.50143627.41
Bharat Electronics LtdMaterials1.47141447.21
UltraTech Cement LtdMaterials1.47140729.93
Titan Company LtdUtilities1.37131245.87
Power Grid Corporation of India LtdConsumer Discretionary1.31125372.87
Bajaj Finserv LtdFinancials1.22116760.79
Asian Paints LtdMaterials1.10105961.58
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone LtdIndustrials1.08103642.89
Trent LtdConsumer Discretionary0.9894291.50
Tech Mahindra LtdInformation Technology0.9389540.63

What is Sensex?

Sensex is the main stock market index of 30 popular companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). These companies are some of the biggest and most traded in India.


The companies listed in Sensex are chosen by the S&P BSE Index Committee based on five key criteria:

  1. The company must be listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
  2. It should be a large or mega-cap company.
  3. It needs to have good liquidity (easy to buy and sell).
  4. It must make money from its main business activities.
  5. The company should contribute to balancing the country’s stock market.

Since it began in the 1990s, Sensex has grown rapidly, especially after 2000. For example, in 2002, tech companies helped Sensex cross the 6,000 mark for the first time. This growth is linked to India’s rising GDP.

How is the Sensex calculated?

BSE Sensex uses the Free Float Market Capitalisation method to calculate the value of the index. The first step in this methodology is to determine the free float market capitalisation of 30 companies that form the index. The formula to calculate is:

Free Float Market Capitalisation = Market Capitalisation x Free Float Factor

Where, 

  • Market Capitalisation = the market value of the company
  • Market Capitalisation = Share price per share x number of shares issued by the company
  • Free Float Factor = percentage of total shares a company issues that are freely available to the public to trade. This can also mean the total outstanding shares of the company. It excludes all shares that are held by the promoters, the government, group companies, etc. 

After determining the Free Float Market Capitalisation of the companies, the value of Sensex is calculated using the formula:

Sensex = (Total Free Float Market Capitalisation / Base Market Capitalisation) x Base index value 

The base period (year) for Base Market Capitalisation is 1978-79. The base index value for Sensex is 100. 

Free Float Market Capitalisation method is similar to the market capitalisation weighting method except for the use of free float market shares. 

Benefits of Investing in Companies Listed in Sensex

  • Historical Performance: As of 7th October 2025, the Sensex has delivered a strong 106.88% return over the past 5 years, highlighting its robust performance and growth during this period.
  • Liquidity: Sensex companies are some of the most traded stocks in India, which means they are highly liquid. Investors can easily buy or sell these stocks without worrying much about price fluctuations due to a lack of buyers.
  • Diversification: Sensex companies give exposure to different sectors like banking, technology, energy, and healthcare. This diversification helps mitigate risk since the performance of different sectors may not be closely linked.

Risks of Investing in Sensex Companies

  • Market Risk: Although Sensex companies are stable, they are still affected by overall market conditions. Economic downturns, global events, or changes in government policies can lead to market-wide declines, impacting Sensex companies as well.
  • Sector-Specific Risks: While Sensex includes companies from various sectors, some sectors may face more risk than others. For example, companies in sectors like oil and gas or banking can be more sensitive to changes in government regulations, global prices, or economic cycles.
  • Foreign Influence: Many Sensex companies have significant foreign investments. Changes in global investor sentiment or currency fluctuations can affect their performance, particularly in companies reliant on exports or international business.

Factors to Consider Before Investing in Sensex Companies

  • Individual Stock Analysis: Each Sensex company has its own set of fundamentals, performance history, and growth prospects. Understanding these elements helps investors gauge the strength of each company and its potential for future growth.
  • Economic Conditions: The performance of Companies listed in Sensex is closely tied to the broader economy. Factors such as inflation, interest rates, and GDP growth can significantly influence stock prices, making the economic environment a key consideration for investors.
  • Global Market Influences:  Global events, including geopolitical tensions and economic trends in major economies, can impact the BSE Sensex 30 companies. As many of these companies are involved in international business, their performance may be affected by global market conditions and changes in foreign markets.
  • Sector-Specific Risks: Different sectors within the Sensex come with their own unique risks. For example, the banking sector may be more sensitive to interest rate changes, while energy stocks can be impacted by fluctuations in commodity prices. Understanding these risks is crucial for evaluating how sector-specific factors can influence individual stocks.

To Wrap It Up….

Companies listed in Sensex might be appealing to investors due to their established market presence. However, investors should also be mindful of the risks, such as market volatility, sector-specific challenges, and global economic factors that can impact performance. It’s essential to weigh these benefits against the risks before considering investing in Sensex companies.

Frequently Asked Questions on Sensex Companies

1. What is Sensex in simple words?

Sensex is an index that tracks the performance of the 30 largest and most important companies listed in Sensex on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). It gives an idea of how the stock market is performing overall.

2. How many companies does Sensex have?

BSE Sensex consists of 30 companies, known as the Sensex 30 companies. These companies represent various sectors of the economy and are considered leaders in their fields.

3. How does Sensex work?

Sensex works by tracking the combined performance of the 30 companies it includes. When these companies perform well, the Sensex rises, and when they perform poorly, the Sensex falls. It reflects the overall market sentiment.

4. How to invest in Sensex companies?

You can invest in Sensex companies by buying their individual stocks or through a Sensex index fund, which tracks the performance of the Sensex. These options allow you to gain exposure to all the companies listed in Sensex.

5. Is Sensex better than Nifty?

Both Sensex and Nifty are major stock market indices, but they track different sets of companies. Sensex tracks 30 companies listed in Sensex on the BSE, while Nifty tracks 50 companies listed on the NSE. Neither is “better” than the other; it depends on the investor’s preferences and which index they feel better represents their investment goals.

6. How to calculate Sensex?

Sensex is calculated using a free-float market capitalisation method. This means the total market value of the shares available for trading is used, excluding shares held by insiders. The calculation considers the price movements of the 30 companies in the index and reflects their combined value.

7. Are Sensex and Nifty the same?

No, they are different stock market indices belonging to different stock market exchanges. Sensex belongs to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) while Nifty belongs to the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

8. What are Sensex 50 companies?

The Sensex 50 companies refer to an index that tracks the performance of the 50 largest companies listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).  These BSE index stocks are selected based on market capitalisation, similar to how the Nifty 50 includes 50 companies listed on the NSE.

9. What is the best Sensex stock today?

To find the best Sensex stocks today, investors can use tools like the Tickertape stock screener. It allows you to filter through the top-performing companies in the Sensex and make informed investment decisions based on real-time data and key metrics.


Anjali Chourasiya

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