Indian equity markets weakened sharply on Friday, February 13, 2026, extending the recent downturn amid global risk aversion and sector-specific sell-offs. The BSE Sensex tumbled more than 800 points, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the 25,600 mark amid broad-based selling across major sectors.
Market participants reacted to a combination of domestic and international factors. Stronger-than-expected US jobs data dampened hopes of near-term interest rate cuts, strengthening the US dollar and prompting a rotation out of risk assets. The sell-off in global technology shares further spilt over into Indian markets, putting additional pressure on major indices.
Sector Performance and Key Movers
Technology stocks were the hardest hit, with the IT index leading declines, as heavyweights such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys shed significant value amid renewed concerns about artificial intelligence’s impact on traditional outsourcing models. All 15 sectoral sub-indices tracked by the National Stock Exchange of India declined, reflecting a broad risk-off sentiment among investors.
Airlines also featured in the news, with SpiceJet shares remaining under pressure after the company reported a net loss of ₹261 crore in Q3 FY26, despite a 14 percent rise in revenue. Higher operating costs, including fuel and fleet expenses, continued to drag on performance.
In the commodities space, gold and silver futures briefly crashed as much as 10 percent before rebounding on bargain buying, highlighting the volatility gripping broader markets.
Currency And Investor Reaction
The Indian rupee also opened weaker, trading around ₹90.69 to the US dollar in early trade, as investors rebalanced currency positions in response to macro cues.
The sell-off occurred despite some pockets of optimism earlier in the session, including selective buying in banking stocks as mutual funds raised exposures to financial equities while trimming positions in IT and consumer staples. Robust Q3 earnings from select agrochemical and animal-feed companies offered temporary support to sentiment earlier in the day.
What Analysts Are Watching
Analysts point to several near-term drivers that could influence market direction in the coming days, including:
- US macroeconomic data and its impact on global rate expectations
- Ongoing sector rotations, especially in technology and financial stocks
- Corporate earnings trends as Q3 results continue to roll in
One strategist noted that the current weakness reflects a combination of profit taking after recent gains and renewed risk aversion among foreign institutional investors, factors that could keep volatility elevated until fresh catalysts emerge.
For global and UAE-based investors tracking Indian equity markets, the recent sell-off underscores the importance of closely monitoring macroeconomic indicators and sector performance, particularly as technology stocks remain sensitive to narratives around potential earnings disruptions and automation trends.
Indian Markets Extend Sell-Off As Sensex Slumps Over 800 Points; IT Stocks Lead Decline
Anand Rai
Indian equity markets weakened sharply on Friday, February 13, 2026, extending the recent downturn amid global risk aversion and sector-specific sell-offs. The BSE Sensex tumbled more than 800 points, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the 25,600 mark amid broad-based selling across major sectors.
Market participants reacted to a combination of domestic and international factors. Stronger-than-expected US jobs data dampened hopes of near-term interest rate cuts, strengthening the US dollar and prompting a rotation out of risk assets. The sell-off in global technology shares further spilt over into Indian markets, putting additional pressure on major indices.
Sector Performance and Key Movers
Technology stocks were the hardest hit, with the IT index leading declines, as heavyweights such as Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys shed significant value amid renewed concerns about artificial intelligence’s impact on traditional outsourcing models. All 15 sectoral sub-indices tracked by the National Stock Exchange of India declined, reflecting a broad risk-off sentiment among investors.
Airlines also featured in the news, with SpiceJet shares remaining under pressure after the company reported a net loss of ₹261 crore in Q3 FY26, despite a 14 percent rise in revenue. Higher operating costs, including fuel and fleet expenses, continued to drag on performance.
In the commodities space, gold and silver futures briefly crashed as much as 10 percent before rebounding on bargain buying, highlighting the volatility gripping broader markets.
Currency And Investor Reaction
The Indian rupee also opened weaker, trading around ₹90.69 to the US dollar in early trade, as investors rebalanced currency positions in response to macro cues.
The sell-off occurred despite some pockets of optimism earlier in the session, including selective buying in banking stocks as mutual funds raised exposures to financial equities while trimming positions in IT and consumer staples. Robust Q3 earnings from select agrochemical and animal-feed companies offered temporary support to sentiment earlier in the day.
What Analysts Are Watching
Analysts point to several near-term drivers that could influence market direction in the coming days, including:
One strategist noted that the current weakness reflects a combination of profit taking after recent gains and renewed risk aversion among foreign institutional investors, factors that could keep volatility elevated until fresh catalysts emerge.
For global and UAE-based investors tracking Indian equity markets, the recent sell-off underscores the importance of closely monitoring macroeconomic indicators and sector performance, particularly as technology stocks remain sensitive to narratives around potential earnings disruptions and automation trends.
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