"AI Fears Shake Dalal Street — Bulls Retreat, Bears Take Charge!"
📌 Table of Contents
- Market Performance Overview
- Key Sectoral Movements
- Index Performance Table
- Top Gainers & Losers
- Global Cues & Market Outlook
📊 Market Performance Overview
Indian equity benchmarks closed sharply lower on February 24, 2026, snapping a two-day winning streak amid aggressive selling in IT stocks.
The BSE Sensex plunged 1,068.74 points (-1.28%) to settle at 82,225.92, marking its lowest closing since early February.
The NSE Nifty 50 dropped 288.35 points (-1.12%) to close at 25,424.65, after slipping below 25,350 intraday on F&O expiry day.
Broader markets also weakened:
- Nifty Midcap fell 0.3%
- Nifty Smallcap declined 0.55%
The sharp decline was driven by growing fears of AI-led disruption in IT services, combined with uncertainties around US tariff policies and global trade tensions.
🏦 Key Sectoral Movements
💻 IT Sector Leads the Crash
Nifty IT nosedived 4.74%, shedding nearly 1,497 points to close at 30,053.50. The index is now heading toward its worst monthly performance since 2008.
Concerns intensified as AI automation tools threaten traditional coding and outsourcing services.
🏠 Realty & Banking
- Nifty Realty dropped between 2.5%–3%
- Nifty Bank slipped 0.35% to 61,047.30
⛏️ Metals Shine Amid Oil Surge
Metal stocks gained nearly 1%, supported by rising crude oil prices nearing seven-month highs due to US-Iran geopolitical tensions.
📈 Index Performance Snapshot
| Index | Close | Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensex | 82,225.92 | -1,068.74 | -1.28% |
| Nifty 50 | 25,424.65 | -288.35 | -1.12% |
| Nifty Bank | 61,047.30 | -216.95 | -0.35% |
| Nifty IT | 30,053.50 | -1,497.00 | -4.74% |
📌 Top Gainers & Losers
🔻 Major Draggers
- Infosys
- TCS
- IT heavyweights pulling indices lower
The IT index has corrected over 10,000 points from its February peak.
🔼 Notable Gainers
- Indoco Remedies (+7%) after USFDA approval
- Waaree Energies (+4%) on strong solar order
- Adani Ports previously gained nearly 3%
FII Activity: Sold ₹103 crore
DII Activity:</strong Bought ₹3,161 crore
🌍 Global Cues & Market Outlook
Technical indicators show growing bearish momentum:
- Resistance at 25,530
- Support at 25,360
- VIX warning of deeper correction below 25,200
Global pressure continues from:
- Wall Street weakness amid AI concerns
- Mixed Asian & European markets
- Uncertainty over US tariff decisions
However, Gift Nifty signals a potential mild rebound.
Equity turnover surged to a 16-month high of ₹23.9 lakh crore in February, highlighting heightened volatility.
📢 Final Take
The market mood has shifted decisively toward caution. With AI disruption fears rising and global trade tensions escalating, volatility may remain elevated.
Investors should closely monitor US policy clarity and upcoming Q4 earnings for directional cues.
Dalal Street Reminder: In volatile times, disciplined strategy beats emotional trading.