Indian shares seen lower amid global IT selloff ahead of U.S. inflation
India's stock benchmarks are poised to open lower on Friday, tracking a drop in Wall Street and Asian equities, with information technology shares likely to remain under pressure ahead of the U.S. inflation reading due later in the day.
The Gift Nifty futures were trading at 25,719.5 points, as of 7:38 a.m. IST, indicating the benchmark Nifty 50 will open below Thursday's close of 25,807.2.
Domestic equities declined in the previous session with IT stocks sliding 5.5% to a 10-month low on concerns over artificial intelligence-linked disruption to the sector, while fading expectations of a near-term U.S. rate cut also weighed.
The IT sub-index is down 12.5% so far in 2026, nearly matching its full-year drop in 2025, and is set to remain under pressure on Friday as global tech stocks fall.
"The sharp correction in the IT pack has temporarily put bulls on the backfoot," said Ajit Mishra, senior vice president of research at Religare Broking.
"Sentiment has weakened as traders react to heavy selling in IT stocks amid global volatility," Mishra said.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite index fell over 2% overnight ahead of U.S. inflation data that could influence the future path of rates. Stronger-than-expected January jobs data has already dented expectations of a near-term rate cut.
The U.S.-listed shares of Infosys and Wipro shed 10% and 5%, respectively, overnight.
Other Asian markets opened 0.5% lower on the day. [MKTS/GLOB]
Meanwhile, India's retail inflation accelerated to 2.75% in January, the maiden print under a revised data series showed on Thursday, returning to the central bank's target band for the first time in five months.
STOCKS TO WATCH
** Metals producer Hindalco posts 45% fall in quarterly profit, weighed down by expenses linked to fire-related disruptions at its U.S. unit, Novelis
** State-run Coal India, which accounts for roughly three?quarters of India's coal output, reports a drop in quarterly profit as production softened amid subdued power demand
** Oil and Natural Gas Corporation reports higher profit for the quarter ended December, while revenue remains little changed
