Indian IT stocks remained under heavy selling pressure on Tuesday as Infosys, TCS and HCLTech logged sharp declines, dragging the sector and broader markets lower. The continued weakness in Indian technology shares has puzzled investors and analysts, but several key triggers explain the renewed slide.
1. AI-Led Disruption Fears: Persistent concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence on traditional IT services have spread through the market. New tools — including those from AI firm Anthropic — can automate tasks that previously underpinned outsourcing revenue, sparking fear that future demand for legacy services may shrink.
2. Global Tech Sell-Off: Indian IT stocks have been mirroring weakness in global technology equities, with overseas declines and weak ADR performances weighing on sentiment. For example, Infosys’ ADRs dipped sharply in U.S. trading, adding to selling bias at home.
3. Analyst Downgrades & Cautious Outlook: Major brokerages have cut ratings and price targets for Indian IT names, citing structural industry shifts due to AI and muted growth expectations. Jefferies and other houses have warned that pain in the sector may not yet be over.
4. Foreign Investor Outflows: Data show that foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have been reducing exposure to IT stocks, pulling significant capital from the segment. This consistent selling has intensified downward pressure on share prices.
Together, these factors have created an environment of caution, with investors questioning near-term earnings visibility for traditional IT services. The rout has seen IT valuations remain under strain despite strong long-term fundamentals, as markets adjust to a rapidly evolving technology landscape.
