Sensex, Nifty Open Weak as AI Fears Continue to Haunt IT Sector

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, opened lower reflecting cautious investor sentiment at the start of the trading week. Market experts attribute the weakness to persistent concerns about artificial intelligence-driven disruptions impacting the crucial IT sector. Broader market indices and most sectoral indices also traded in the red, indicating widespread weakness, though the Nifty IT index showed marginal strength. Analysts suggest markets are likely to remain in a consolidation phase until clearer global macroeconomic signals emerge and stability returns to the IT sector.

Key Points: Sensex, Nifty Open Lower Amid AI Disruption Concerns in IT

  • Markets open in red
  • AI fears pressure IT sector
  • Mixed FII, steady DII inflows
  • Broad weakness across indices
  • Gold, silver prices also decline
2 min read

Sensex, Nifty open Weak, concerns of AI impact on IT sector continue to pressure markets

Indian stock markets opened weak as AI-driven disruption fears pressure IT stocks. Experts cite fragile sentiment and a consolidation phase ahead.

"Persistent concerns around AI-driven disruption continue to act as a key overhang for IT heavyweights - Ponmudi R"

Mumbai, February 16

The domestic stock markets started the fresh week on a weak note on Monday, with both benchmark indices opening in the red amid continued concerns about artificial intelligence disruptions in the IT sector.

The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,423.60, down by 47.50 points or 0.19 per cent. Similarly, the BSE Sensex opened at 82,480.40, declining by 146.36 points or 0.18 per cent. The decline reflects cautious sentiment among investors at the start of the trading week.

Market experts said concerns about AI-driven disruptions continue to affect IT companies, which are an important part of the Indian stock market.

Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said, "Persistent concerns around AI-driven disruption continue to act as a key overhang for IT heavyweights, reversing part of the optimism earlier sparked by the US-India interim trade framework and reinforcing a broader risk-off undertone. Stabilisation within the IT sector will be crucial for rebuilding broader market confidence."

He further added, "FII participation has turned mixed and cautious in recent sessions, while steady DII inflows are offering a degree of domestic support. In the near term, sentiment remains fragile, with markets likely to trade in a consolidation phase until clearer direction emerges from global macro signals."

The broader market indices on the NSE also saw declines. The Nifty 100 was down by 0.22 per cent, while the Nifty Midcap 100 fell by 0.46 per cent. The Nifty Smallcap 100 also declined by 0.62 per cent, indicating weakness across companies of different sizes.

Among sectoral indices, most sectors were under pressure. The Nifty Metal index declined by 0.81 per cent, while the Nifty PSU Bank index fell by 0.46 per cent. The Nifty FMCG index also slipped by 0.18 per cent. However, the Nifty IT index showed marginal strength and was up by 0.04 per cent.

Meanwhile, gold and silver prices also declined on Monday. Gold prices fell by 0.68 per cent to Rs 154,830 per 10 grams for 24 karat gold. Silver prices saw a sharper fall, declining by 2.92 per cent to Rs 237,222 per kilogram.

In other Asian markets, movements remained mostly flat. Japan's Nikkei 225 index was down marginally by 0.09 per cent at 56,890, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index gained marginally by 0.29 per cent. Markets in Taiwan and South Korea remained closed due to holidays.

Overall, major Asian markets showed limited movement, reflecting cautious investor sentiment. Indian stock market may remain in a consolidation phase in the near term until clearer global economic signals emerge and stability returns to the IT sector.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Small correction was expected after the recent rally. Good time to review my SIPs and maybe add a bit more to blue-chip IT funds. Long-term, India's tech talent will find a way to work with AI, not against it. 🇮🇳
R
Rohit P
The bigger worry is FIIs turning cautious. When foreign money gets jittery, our markets feel the heat. DII support is good, but we need both. Hope the budget and global cues provide some stability soon.
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Sarah B
As someone working in the sector, the anxiety is real. Project timelines are getting squeezed and clients are asking for AI integration at lower costs. The pressure on mid-level engineers is immense. The market dip reflects this ground reality.
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Vikram M
Silver down nearly 3%! That's a sharp move. Maybe people are moving money from commodities to catch the dip in equities? Interesting to see metals and PSU banks also weak. Broad-based selling.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, the article and experts focus too much on short-term noise. For retail investors, these small dips don't matter if your horizon is 10+ years. The Indian growth story is intact. Use such days to learn, not panic-sell.
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Michael C

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