Indian Market Brief: February 12, 2026 Indian equity benchmarks retreated sharply on Thursday as a wave of selling hit the technology and transport sectors. The **BSE Sensex** dropped **558.72 points**, or **0.66%**, to settle at **83,674.92**. Simultaneously, the **NSE Nifty 50** declined by **146.65 points**, closing at **25,807.20**. The Information Technology sector faced a significant "nosedive" correction. The **Nifty IT index** plummeted over **5%**, erasing approximately **₹1.56 lakh crore** in market value in a single session. This selloff was fueled by mounting anxiety over structural shifts caused by Artificial Intelligence. Investors are increasingly concerned that rapid advancements in AI, such as automated coding and task-based plugins, could disrupt traditional headcount-based outsourcing models. Major industry players saw heavy losses, with **Tech Mahindra**, **Infosys**, and **TCS** all tumbling between **5.4% and 6%**. Economic data from the United States further dampened sentiment. Stronger-than-expected **US non-farm payroll data**, showing **130,000** new jobs in January, reduced hopes for near-term interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. This stable labor market data suggests a "higher-for-longer" rate environment, which typically pressures high-growth tech valuations. Domestic investors also turned cautious ahead of local economic indicators. India’s January retail inflation, released under a new **2024 base year** series, came in at **2.75%**. While this figure remains within the central bank's tolerance band, it represents an acceleration from previous months due to rising food and metal prices. The transport and logistics sector also faced pressure. Shares of **IndiGo** and **Adani Ports** ended in the red following a broader trend of weakness in transport hiring data. This contributed to a lopsided market where declining stocks outnumbered gainers by a significant margin. Despite the broad selloff, specific sectors like financials and retail showed resilience. **Bajaj Finance** led the gainers with a **3.12%** rise, followed by **ICICI Bank** and **Trent**. However, the overall market undertone remained bearish, with the **India VIX** rising **1.5%** to **11.72**, signaling an uptick in investor nervousness.