Stock Market Today: Why did sensex fall over 550 points and nifty slip below 24,000?

Sensex tumbled more than 550 points and Nifty slipped below 24,000 in early trade. With Infosys plunging and FIIs continuing to sell, what's weighing on the Indian stock market today?

Post Published By: Donika Singh

Updated : 19 June 2026, 10:04 AM IST

Sensex and Nifty Open Lower Despite Positive Global Cues. (Image Internet)

Mumbai: Indian benchmark equity indices opened sharply lower on Friday as investors reacted to continued foreign fund outflows and weakness in technology stocks. Selling pressure in major IT counters weighed heavily on market sentiment, dragging both the Sensex and Nifty into negative territory at the start of trading.

Benchmark Indices Begin Session in the Red

The BSE Sensex declined 557.12 points, or 0.71 per cent, to open at 76,852.86. The NSE Nifty 50 also slipped 176.8 points, starting the session at 23,991.20. The fall came after both indices ended the previous trading session on a stronger note, with the Sensex closing above 77,400 and the Nifty near 24,170.

Broader markets also mirrored the weak trend. Midcap and smallcap indices traded lower in early dealings, reflecting cautious investor sentiment across segments.

IT Stocks Drag Market Lower

Technology shares emerged as the biggest drag on the benchmarks. Infosys witnessed significant selling pressure and was among the worst-performing stocks in early trade. Other IT majors, including Tech Mahindra, TCS and HCL Technologies, also traded in the red.

Market participants attributed the weakness in the sector to concerns arising after global consulting giant Accenture revised its growth outlook, impacting investor confidence in technology stocks.

FIIs Continue Selling, DIIs Offer Support

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) remained net sellers in the market, continuing a trend that has persisted in recent sessions. On June 18, FIIs sold equities worth more than ₹1,025 crore.

However, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) helped cushion the decline by purchasing shares worth over ₹3,500 crore, providing support to the broader market.

Mixed Signals From Asian Markets

Across Asia, market performance remained mixed. Japan's Nikkei traded higher, while South Korea's Kospi also posted gains. In contrast, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index witnessed losses during the session.

Investors are expected to closely track global developments, foreign investment flows and corporate earnings outlooks for further direction in the market.