The BSE Sensex fell 787 points, or 1.0%, to 82,878, extending its decline for a third consecutive session and hitting its lowest level since February 2. The drop tracked a weak performance on Wall Street overnight, driven by continued pressure on technology shares. Sentiment was further dampened after data showed January inflation exceeded forecasts, even as it returned to the RBI’s 2%–4% tolerance band for the first time since last August, dimming prospects of an imminent interest rate cut at the upcoming policy meeting.
Tech stocks slumped 5%, as worries over potential disruption from artificial intelligence weighed heavily on investor confidence. Major laggards included Infosys (-6.1%), Tata Consultancy Services (-4.8%), and HCL Technologies (-4.4%). Losses were broad-based, with metals, consumer durables, auto, and banking shares also trading lower, pressured in particular by Hindustan Unilever (-2.2%), Tata Motors (-1.6%), and Tata Steel (-1.6%). For the week, the Sensex is on track for a 0.8% decline, which would mark its first weekly loss in three weeks.
