Sensex May Hit 60,000 by FY27 Amid Global Slowdown, AI Fears: Experts

The Indian stock market witnessed substantial selling pressure on Friday, February 13, 2026, extending losses for the second consecutive session. The benchmark BSE Sensex plunged 1,048 points, or 1.25%, to close at 82,626.76, while the Nifty 50 index shed 336 points, or 1.30%, ending at 25,471.10. The Bank Nifty also recorded a loss of 553 points, closing at 60,186. This broad-based market correction resulted in a significant erosion of investor wealth, with the market capitalization of BSE-listed stocks falling by approximately ₹6.50 lakh crore in a single day. The primary catalysts for this downturn were weak global cues, intensifying fears of Artificial Intelligence (AI) disruption, and concerns over rising inflation in the US and other major economies. The IT sector was particularly hard hit, bearing the brunt of the pressure amid worries about AI's potential to automate routine tasks and disrupt traditional business models, leading to significant revenue loss for Indian IT majors. Major IT companies like Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services saw declines of nearly 7% and 5% respectively. According to stock market experts, the AI disruption has reignited fears of a global economic slowdown, particularly if it translates into reduced demand and job losses in key economies. Amit Goel, Chief Global Strategist at PACE 360, strongly advised investors to take Friday's market correction seriously, emphasizing its broad-based nature and the external trigger of AI disruption. He highlighted that the Nasdaq index had already corrected approximately 5.50% from its one-month closing high of 23,857 due to these fears. Goel further projected a significant impact on Indian indices if the US slowdown materializes, anticipating around a 30% correction from current levels by the end of FY 2026-27. Specifically, he suggested that the BSE Sensex could reach approximately 60,000 by the end of FY27, and the Nifty 50 might touch 18,000 by the end of March 2027 or 2028. He noted that further weakness in the tech-heavy Nasdaq index, especially a double-digit percentage correction, is expected to exert continued pressure on the Indian stock market. Other sectors also experienced declines, including metals and mining stocks due to global commodity softness and concerns over Chinese demand trends. Energy counters weakened amid crude volatility, while autos, FMCG, banking, and financial stocks saw steady profit-taking. The broader market underperformed, with mid-cap and small-cap indices declining even more sharply. Amol Athawale, VP Technical Research at Kotak Securities, provided a near-term technical outlook, stating that the intraday market texture remains weak. He indicated that a fresh sell-off could occur if the market breaks below the 20-day Simple Moving Average (SMA) or levels of 25,400 for Nifty and 82,500 for Sensex, potentially extending corrections to 25,300/82,200 and further to 25,150-25,100/81,700-81,500. On the upside, 25,600/83,100 would serve as immediate resistance. Experts stress the close linkage between the Indian stock market's performance and that of US indices. The fear of AI's long-term impact on job creation and revenue streams, combined with rising inflation, are seen as crucial factors contributing to ongoing market volatility. While some analysts believe the immediate sell-off is driven by fear rather than immediate earnings impact, they acknowledge the long-term concerns about AI's transformative potential. Investors are advised to remain vigilant and prepare for potential corrections in the upcoming quarters, with a focus on fundamentally strong companies. The article also mentions that the Indian IT sector faces considerable near-term pressure as investors re-evaluate long-term revenue streams in the age of AI. India's upcoming AI Impact Summit in February 2026 is expected to address these evolving dynamics, including concerns about job losses within the industry. The ability of the sector to adapt to higher-value, AI-driven services and leverage existing infrastructure will be critical. The published date of the news is February 14, 2026. It is important to note that the views and recommendations presented in such articles are those of individual analysts or broking companies and not necessarily those of the publication. Investors are always advised to consult with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest