13 February 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Indian equity markets witnessed a sharp selloff on Wednesday as heavy losses in information technology stocks dragged benchmark indices lower. The Sensex plunged nearly 900 points in intraday trade, while the Nifty slipped below the crucial 25,515 mark, reflecting heightened investor caution amid weak global cues and sustained selling pressure in IT heavyweights.
Market sentiment turned decisively negative after IT stocks came under intense pressure, following concerns over slowing demand in key overseas markets, particularly the United States and Europe. Shares of major IT companies, including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Wipro, fell sharply, contributing significantly to the broader market decline.
Analysts said the selloff was triggered by a combination of global and domestic factors. Weak cues from Asian and US markets, concerns over interest rate uncertainty, and profit booking after recent highs weighed heavily on investor sentiment. IT stocks, which derive a large portion of their revenue from overseas clients, were particularly vulnerable due to worries about reduced discretionary spending by global corporations.
By midday, the Sensex was trading nearly 900 points lower, with most of its constituents in the red. The Nifty breached the 25,515 level, a psychologically important support zone, intensifying fears of further downside if selling pressure continues.
IT stocks were not the only losers. Broader market indices also faced pressure, with midcap and smallcap stocks slipping as risk appetite weakened. Banking and financial stocks showed mixed performance, offering limited support to the indices as investors selectively booked profits.
Market experts noted that the IT sector had witnessed strong gains over the past few months, driven by optimism around deal pipelines and cost efficiencies. However, recent global developments have forced investors to reassess growth expectations. “There is growing uncertainty about IT spending in the near term. Any signs of slowdown in the US economy tend to impact Indian IT stocks disproportionately,” said a market strategist.
Adding to the cautious mood were rising bond yields globally and speculation around the future trajectory of interest rates. Investors remain wary that prolonged higher rates could dampen corporate earnings growth and delay recovery in key sectors.
Meanwhile, the Indian rupee traded with mild weakness against the US dollar, further adding pressure on market sentiment. While a weaker rupee can benefit exporters like IT firms in the long run, short-term volatility often triggers risk-off moves in equities.
Despite the sharp fall, some analysts believe the correction may be healthy in the medium term. They argue that markets had rallied strongly in recent weeks, and periodic pullbacks are necessary to sustain long-term momentum. However, they caution that volatility may persist in the near term, especially with global economic data and central bank signals influencing investor behavior.
Retail investors appeared cautious, while institutional investors were seen trimming positions in high-valuation stocks. Market participants are now closely watching upcoming global economic indicators and corporate commentary for cues on demand outlook and earnings stability.
Sectoral indices painted a largely negative picture, with IT leading losses, followed by metals and consumer discretionary stocks. Defensive sectors such as FMCG showed relative resilience but were unable to offset the broader weakness.
Experts advised investors to remain selective and avoid panic selling. “This phase calls for a stock-specific approach rather than broad-based buying. Quality stocks with strong balance sheets may offer opportunities on dips,” said another analyst.
As trading progressed, volatility remained high, with sharp intraday swings reflecting nervousness among traders. Technical analysts pointed out that if the Nifty fails to hold key support levels, further downside cannot be ruled out in the short term.
Overall, the session highlighted the market’s sensitivity to global cues and sector-specific concerns. The heavy IT selloff served as a reminder that even fundamentally strong sectors are not immune to sudden corrections when sentiment turns adverse.
Summary
Indian stock markets fell sharply as heavy selling in IT stocks dragged Sensex down nearly 900 points, while Nifty slipped below 25,515 amid weak global cues and cautious investor sentiment.