Stock Market Today: Sensex Slips to 82,100, Nifty 50 Near 25,500

Volatility remains high as investors track global cues and sector trends closely

The Indian stock market traded lower on 24 February 2026 as global worries and pressure on technology stocks pulled down sentiment. The Nifty 50 slipped around 0.8% to trade near 25,500 during the session. The BSE Sensex also declined and hovered in the low 82,000 range after opening weak. Selling was seen across several large-cap shares, though losses were not extremely sharp.

The fall came after a strong run in previous weeks, which had pushed indices close to record levels. Traders chose to book profits as fresh global risks emerged. Market mood remained cautious through the day, with investors watching overseas developments closely.

Global Concerns and Oil Prices

International developments played a big role in shaping market direction. Fresh comments from political leaders in the United States about possible changes in tariff rules created uncertainty. A recent development in the US Supreme Court increased the chance of higher trade duties, which added to fears of slower global trade.

At the same time, crude oil prices climbed to multi-week highs due to tensions in the Middle East. Higher oil prices are usually not good for India because the country imports most of its crude oil needs. Rising oil prices can increase inflation and widen the trade deficit. This made investors more careful, especially in sectors sensitive to fuel costs.

IT Stocks Under Pressure

Technology shares were among the worst performers of the day. The Nifty IT index fell sharply, extending losses from previous sessions. Large companies such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and HCLTech saw noticeable declines.

The weakness followed fresh warnings from global research firms about the long-term impact of artificial intelligence on traditional IT services. There are growing concerns that AI tools could reduce demand for certain outsourcing services, especially routine coding and support work. As a result, global brokers lowered price targets for some Indian IT companies.

Since IT companies earn a large share of revenue from overseas markets, especially the United States, any slowdown or structural change in global tech spending affects them directly. The sector’s fall added significant weight to the benchmark indices.

Banking and Policy Signals

Banking stocks moved up and down.

The Reserve Bank of India said that a recent fraud at a mid-sized bank is not a big threat to the overall financial system. This helped stop people from panicking and selling banking stocks.

Still, investors are keeping an eye on loan growth and how much money banks have available.

At the same time, the Securities and Exchange Board of India said it might change some rules for portfolio management services. If rules change, it could affect wealth management companies and rich investors.

For now, the market is waiting for more details.

Investor Activity and Market Positioning

Foreign investors bought some stocks during the day. This helped stop the market from falling too much. At the same time, some domestic investors sold stocks to book profits.

Trading in futures and options also affected prices. Since the February expiry was near, traders changed their positions around the 25,400 to 25,700 levels on the Nifty. This caused short-term ups and downs. Overall, more stocks fell than rose.

IPO and Corporate Developments

Primary market activity remained active despite secondary market weakness. A mid-cap jewellery company completed an anchor investor round ahead of its Rs. 170 crore initial public offering. The successful anchor placement showed that selective investor appetite continues in the IPO space.

The government’s asset monetisation plan also stayed in focus. Policy discussions pointed toward plans to raise significant funds through listings and stake sales in state-owned enterprises in the coming years. Such moves could increase supply in the primary market but may also provide long-term investment opportunities.

Outlook

In the short term, the market may continue to move up and down. Things like global trade issues, oil prices, and news from the technology sector will affect market direction. If oil prices stay high, inflation worries could increase. If global tech spending slows, IT stocks may face more pressure.

At the same time, steady buying by foreign investors and supportive government policies may stop the market from falling sharply. Investors are likely to be careful and focus on strong companies and sectors instead of buying everything during rallies.

Overall, today’s trading session was cautious for the Indian stock markets. Indices were affected by global uncertainty, sector-specific problems, and positioning before derivative expiry. The next move will largely depend on global developments.