13.02.202611:48:33UTC+00Sensex Finishes Lower, Posts Weekly Loss

India’s BSE Sensex closed about 1.3% lower at 82,626.8 on Friday, its weakest finish since early February and the third consecutive session of losses. The selloff in IT stocks intensified amid mounting concerns over AI-driven disruption and diminishing hopes of imminent US interest rate cuts. As companies worldwide ramp up spending on AI automation, investors fear a potential slowdown in outsourcing demand that could pressure earnings for Indian IT firms. Shares of Tata Consultancy Services, BEL, Infosys, and HCL Technologies fell as much as 2%. Selling was broad-based, with all other major sectors also ending in negative territory, including metals, consumer durables, autos, and financials.

On the macroeconomic front, fresh data showed January inflation surpassed expectations, though it marked the first print within the RBI’s 2%–4% target band since last August. This has tempered hopes for a rate cut at the central bank’s upcoming policy meeting. For the week, the Sensex declined 1.1%.