Indian equities will not recoup recent losses until after mid-2022 on worries over COVID-19 resurgence and global monetary policy tightening, according to a Reuters poll of strategists which showed a correction was likely in the next six months. Buoyed by easy monetary policy, a gradual re-opening of the economy and a rapid vaccination drive, the benchmark BSE Sensex Index (.BSESN) has rallied nearly 20% year-to-date. But the BSE index has dropped around 8% from its all-time high of 62,245.43 set on Oct. 19 as concerns mount over the Omicron coronavirus variant, dampening investor sentiment further. The Nov. 16-30 Reuters poll of 35 equity strategists forecast the benchmark Sensex index to touch 60,450 by mid-2022, a gain of around 5.6% from Monday's close of 57,260.58. If realised, the gain would not be enough to recoup recent losses. "We believe the inflation fear combined with the rise in COVID-19 cases globally may continue to trigger corrective moves in the following months," said Ajit Mishra, VP Research, Religare Broking.Indian equities will not recoup recent losses until after mid-2022 on worries over COVID-19 resurgence and global monetary policy tightening, according to a Reuters poll of strategists which showed a correction was likely in the next six months. Buoyed by easy monetary policy, a gradual re-opening of the economy and a rapid vaccination drive, the benchmark BSE Sensex Index (.BSESN) has rallied nearly 20% year-to-date. But the BSE index has dropped around 8% from its all-time high of 62,245.43 set on Oct. 19 as concerns mount over the Omicron coronavirus variant, dampening investor sentiment further. The Nov. 16-30 Reuters poll of 35 equity strategists forecast the benchmark Sensex index to touch 60,450 by mid-2022, a gain of around 5.6% from Monday's close of 57,260.58. If realised, the gain would not be enough to recoup recent losses. "We believe the inflation fear combined with the rise in COVID-19 cases globally may continue to trigger corrective moves in the following months," said Ajit Mishra, VP Research, Religare Broking.