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The BSE Sensex dropped 756.84 points, or 0.95%, to close at 78,516.49 on Wednesday, snapping a three-day winning streak. During volatile intraday trade, the index declined by as much as 831 points as a broad-based selloff in information technology stocks coupled with surging crude oil prices rattled investor confidence. The NSE Nifty50 followed suit, slipping 198.50 points to settle below the critical 24,400 mark. Why Indian IT stocks fell today: HCL Tech guidance triggers ₹92,000 crore erosion The primary driver of today's decline was a broad based selloff in information technology stocks, triggered by weak earnings guidance from HCL Tech. The Nifty IT index plunged nearly 4%, with major names across the sector coming under heavy pressure. HCL Tech recorded the sharpest decline, falling approximately 11% after the company reported a mixed set of March quarter results and issued a modest FY27 growth guidance of 1–4%. While the company posted a 4.2% year on year increase in consolidated net profit to ₹4,488 crore, it flagged a volatile demand environment influenced by tariffs and reduced discretionary spending. Other IT stocks followed suit. Tech Mahindra, Coforge, and Persistent Systems dropped up to 6%. Infosys fell around 5%, while TCS and Wipro slipped up to 2%. The selloff wiped out nearly ₹92,000 crore from the Nifty IT index's market capitalisation in a single session, highlighting the sector's sensitivity to earnings visibility and global demand trends. Rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions pressure sentiment Global macro factors played a significant role in Wednesday’s selloff. Brent crude rose 1.26% to $99.72 per barrel, moving dangerously close to the $100 psychological barrier. The spike is attributed to the resurgence of geopolitical uncertainty in West Asia, with reports suggesting that US–Iran negotiations have stalled. Market participants noted that the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz has kept energy markets elevated, directly impacting inflation expectations and currency stability in India. Consequently, the India VIX (volatility index) rose by more than 4% to settle above 18.26, indicating a sharp rise in near-term risk perception. Nifty smallcap and midcap indices show resilience amid sectoral divergence Despite the carnage in frontline IT and banking stocks, the broader markets showed notable resilience. The Nifty Smallcap index gained over 1%, while the Nifty Midcap index edged up 0.2%, reflecting continued selective buying in mid-tier companies. Sectoral performance remained a mixed bag: Laggards: IT (down 3.66%) and Private Banks (down 0.7%) bore the brunt of the selling pressure following weak guidance and global uncertainty. Gainers: Defensive sectors provided critical support. Utilities surged 2.48%, followed by Power (1.97%) and FMCG (0.98%). Individual Performers: Nestlé India was a standout, climbing over 2% to trade near ₹1,413 as it defied the broader market sell-off. Alongside Hindustan Unilever, these consumer giants emerged as top large-cap gainers as investors rotated into "risk-off" defensive plays. Conclusion: Market outlook amidst global uncertainty Wednesday’s session reflects a phase of consolidation with a distinct negative bias. While domestic earnings signals from the IT sector have been disappointing, the overarching pressure remains the uncertain global backdrop and elevated energy costs. Investors are increasingly rotating within sectors, favoring utilities and FMCG, while adopting a cautious stance on high-beta technology and banking stocks. With the India Rupee weakening toward 93.75, market participants are likely to remain in a defensive position until there is greater clarity on West Asian stability and the trajectory of crude oil prices. Why did the Sensex and Nifty drop on April 22, 2026? The indices fell due to a massive selloff in the IT sector triggered by HCL Tech’s weak guidance, alongside a sharp rise in crude oil prices toward $100 per barrel. How much did HCL Technologies shares fall? HCL Technologies was the biggest loser on the Sensex, plunging 10.85% after reporting a volatile demand environment and modest FY27 growth projections. Are any sectors still gaining despite the market selloff? Yes, broader market indices showed resilience. Utilities, Power, and FMCG sectors posted gains, with companies like Nestlé India and NTPC emerging as key gainers.

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