Indian tech stocks tumble $57B in a single day as investors worry over Anthropic AI developments and market uncertainty.
Stay tuned Net 4 India News | Indian News and Updat tech markets in India faced a historic setback as fears surrounding Anthropic AI triggered a massive $57B sell-off. Investors are reassessing risks and strategies amid growing uncertainty, highlighting the volatile intersection of AI innovation and global finance.
Indian Tech Stocks Suffer Historic $50B Drop
On Saturday, February 14, 2026, Indian technology stocks faced a dramatic decline, wiping out nearly $50 billion (Rp840.96 trillion) from market value. This slump marks the steepest daily drop since March 2020, during the early COVID-19 market turmoil.
The Nifty IT Index, a benchmark for technology stocks in India, recorded a weekly loss of 8.23%, reflecting consistent selling pressure. Fears surrounding AI innovations and global market corrections rattled investors.
Market observers noted that this decline was not limited to individual stocks but affected the entire IT sector, signaling broader concerns about technology-driven disruptions in India’s economy.
Key Drivers Behind The IT Sector Sell-Off
The sell-off was triggered by two intertwined factors. First, Anthropic, a technology startup, launched a new AI tool capable of performing tasks traditionally done by professionals. This sparked widespread anxiety among global investors regarding job displacement and corporate automation.
Second, sharp corrections in U.S. tech stocks amplified the negative sentiment. Giants like Apple experienced margin concerns, prompting investors to move capital into safer assets ahead of crucial U.S. inflation data.
The combination of domestic AI fears and global market turbulence created intense selling pressure, demonstrating how international developments can directly influence Indian equities.
Also Read: India’s Digital Health Revolution, Progress And Automation Challenges
Nifty IT Weekly Performance: A Timeline
During the second week of February 2026, the Nifty IT Index exhibited a sharp downward trend. On Thursday, February 12, it plunged 5.1%, the steepest single-day decline in recent years. Friday, February 13, saw continued pressure, with a drop of 1.44%.
The cumulative weekly loss of 8.23% underscores the volatility of the Indian IT sector amid global uncertainties. Analysts highlighted that Thursday’s fall represented the peak of investor panic.
This timeline illustrates the persistent nature of the sell-off and emphasizes the sensitivity of tech stocks to both local and international catalysts.
AI Concerns Threaten India’s $4.76T IT Industry
Investor concerns are grounded in reality. India’s IT services industry is valued at approximately Rp4,759 trillion, making it a critical pillar of the national economy. Rapid adoption of AI technologies threatens traditional business models relied upon by major IT firms.
Anthropic’s AI claims to automate professional tasks have raised questions about workforce displacement and potential budget reallocation by corporate clients. These fears could impact revenue projections for India’s largest IT companies.
Despite the panic, some analysts see AI as an opportunity rather than a threat. Effective communication and strategic adaptation by IT companies could leverage AI to enhance service offerings instead of undermining them.
Global Ripple Effects And Future Outlook
The Indian IT slump was intensified by Wall Street movements. U.S. tech stock declines created a contagion effect, as global investors reacted to potential shrinking profit margins. Money shifted to safe-haven instruments like government bonds, further weakening tech equities worldwide.
Industry experts stress that AI will not fully replace enterprise IT services in the near term. Companies remain essential for infrastructure implementation, system integration, and maintenance, preserving the relevance of human expertise.
Looking ahead, analysts are divided. Some view the drop as a buying opportunity given strong fundamentals, while others advocate a cautious wait-and-see approach until AI’s real-world impact becomes clearer. The Nifty IT Index will serve as a barometer for investor confidence in the coming weeks, signaling whether the market has found a new equilibrium.
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- First Image from desakarangbendo.id
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