F&O Margin and Lot Size Explained: SPAN & Exposure
September 4, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS

IT sector stocks are shares of publicly listed companies that provide software services, IT consulting, and digital transformation solutions to clients in India and globally. Among India's listed IT companies, TCS, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, and Persistent Systems are among the most closely watched for 2026, combining strong fundamentals with exposure to AI-driven digital transformation, though the sector has corrected more than 46 percent from its August 2024 peak.
Sector correction: Top 5 IT stocks' combined market cap fell from Rs 33.71 lakh crore (Aug 2024) to Rs 18.15 lakh crore (July 2026), a drop of over 46 percent
Valuation reset: Large-cap IT names now trade at roughly a 36 percent discount to their 10-year average P/E
Dividend yields improved: Sector average dividend yield now sits around 4.9 percent, led by Wipro (5.7%) and HCL Technologies (5.6%)
Key driver: US technology spending, Federal Reserve rate decisions, and AI-related demand shifts remain the biggest swing factors
IT stocks represent ownership in companies that provide technology services, software products, consulting, and digital transformation solutions, both domestically and globally. TCS, Infosys, and Wipro are the most recognized names in this space for Indian investors.
The IT sector accounts for a significant share of India's GDP and commands roughly 56 percent of the global IT outsourcing market, according to industry estimates. Investing in IT stocks is, in effect, a bet on India's continued role as the world's technology services hub. You can cross-check any of these companies' current data directly on Dhanarthi.
This is context missing from most beginner guides. The combined market capitalization of TCS, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra fell more than 46 percent, from a record Rs 33.71 lakh crore in August 2024 to around Rs 18.15 lakh crore by July 2026, a decline severe enough to pull the group's combined value down to roughly the level of a single company, Reliance Industries
Several factors drove this correction. Global technology spending slowed as clients delayed discretionary projects amid macroeconomic uncertainty. Concerns around AI-driven disruption to traditional IT services business models weighed on sentiment, with investors questioning how much of the sector's revenue base could face pricing pressure as AI automates parts of software development and support work. JP Morgan downgraded HCL Technologies and Wipro to underweight in mid-2026, citing continued downside risk to FY27-28 consensus estimates even after the stocks had already fallen 31 and 33 percent respectively that year
The silver lining: this correction has pushed valuations closer to historical norms. Large-cap IT names now trade at roughly a 36 percent discount to their 10-year average P/E, supported by a free cash flow yield near 6.7 percent, which some analysts view as an attractive entry point rather than a reason for continued caution (Source: DSP Mutual Fund research, July 2026).
This table reflects publicly available market data and company fundamentals. It is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any security.
| Company | Approx. Market Cap | Recent Price Trend | Dividend Yield | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCS | ~Rs 8.9 lakh crore | Down from Rs 4,592 (Aug 2024) peak, brokerage targets near Rs 3,250 | ~4.9% | Largest scale, Fortune 500 client base |
| Infosys | ~Rs 4.4 lakh crore | Down ~47% from Dec 2024 peak of Rs 2,006 | ~4.7% | Strong AI and digital transformation focus |
| HCL Technologies | Large-cap | Down ~31% YTD 2026, brokerage target near Rs 1,345 | ~5.6% | Diversified across services, products, infrastructure |
| Wipro | Mid-large cap | Down ~33% YTD 2026, brokerage target near Rs 205 | ~5.7% | Ongoing restructuring for margin recovery |
| Tech Mahindra | Large-cap | Brokerage target near Rs 1,840 | ~3.6% | Strong telecom and 5G specialization |
| LTIMindtree | Mid-cap | Brokerage target near Rs 4,830 | Moderate | High digital transformation growth rate |
| Persistent Systems | Mid-cap | Brokerage target near Rs 6,300 | Low | Strong software product engineering track record |
| Coforge | Mid-cap | Premium valuation, high P/E | Moderate | Insurance and BFSI technology focus |
| Mphasis | Mid-cap | Brokerage target near Rs 2,430 | ~2.5% | BFSI specialization, over 60% revenue from the segment |
| KPIT Technologies | Mid-cap | High growth segment | Low | Pure-play automotive software and EV technology |
Sources: NSE/BSE filings, Screener.in, brokerage research reports (BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, ICICI Securities). Figures are approximate and change with market movement; always verify current data before making any decision. This table does not constitute investment advice or a buy/sell recommendation for any listed stock.
TCS remains India's largest IT company by revenue and market capitalization, despite the sector-wide correction. The company maintains operating margins in the mid-to-high 20s percent range, among the strongest in the sector, supported by a deep base of long-term, multi-year contracts with Fortune 500 clients. Its scale and diversified service lines have historically provided more earnings stability than smaller peers during industry downturns.
Infosys has seen one of the sharper corrections among large caps, down roughly 47 percent from its December 2024 peak, alongside a leadership transition with a new CEO designate appointed in July 2026 (Source: Screener.in company filings, July 2026). The company continues to invest heavily in AI-powered solutions and digital transformation services, and its dividend yield near 4.7 percent has become more attractive following the price decline.
HCL Technologies offers the highest dividend yield among large-cap IT names, near 5.6 percent, making it a name income-focused investors often watch closely. The company's diversified business model, spanning services, infrastructure management, and software products, has historically provided steadier cash flow than pure services-only peers, even as brokerages have flagged near-term earnings risk following its 2026 correction.
Wipro has lagged its large-cap peers on returns for several years, and 2026 brought a fresh leg lower alongside a negative brokerage rating from at least one major house. The company continues restructuring efforts aimed at improving margins and digital capabilities, though results have been slower to materialize than at some competitors.
Tech Mahindra's specialization in telecom and 5G-related services differentiates it from broader IT peers. As global 5G infrastructure investment continues, the company's positioning in network services and telecom digital transformation remains a distinct growth angle, though revenue concentration in telecom clients adds some sector-specific risk.
LTIMindtree has delivered strong digital transformation-driven growth as a mid-cap IT name, with brokerages assigning it a neutral-to-moderate outlook heading into FY27. Its growth rate has generally outpaced larger peers, though this comes with higher volatility typical of mid-cap technology stocks.
Persistent Systems stands out for its track record in software product engineering and partnerships with independent software vendors (ISVs). The company has delivered strong multi-year growth, and brokerages have generally maintained a constructive view on its outlook relative to peers, reflecting continued momentum in its niche segments.
Coforge, formerly NIIT Technologies, trades at a premium valuation relative to sector peers, reflecting its focus on insurance technology, BFSI, and digital transformation services. Investors paying this premium are generally betting on continued execution consistency, since even modest earnings disappointments can trigger sharper corrections at elevated valuations.
Mphasis derives more than 60 percent of its revenue from the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector, giving it deep sector expertise but also concentrated exposure to BFSI spending cycles. This specialization has generally supported steady margins, though it ties the company's fortunes more closely to one industry vertical than more diversified peers.
Grouping these names by investor profile helps simplify the comparison. TCS, Infosys, and HCL Technologies represent the more stable, dividend-paying large-cap segment, generally suited to investors prioritizing lower volatility and income alongside growth. LTIMindtree and Persistent Systems fall into a higher-growth, higher-volatility mid-cap category, more suited to investors comfortable with wider price swings in exchange for potentially faster growth. Tech Mahindra, Coforge, Mphasis, and KPIT each offer more concentrated, thematic exposure, telecom and 5G, BFSI technology, and automotive software respectively.
Understanding the key variables behind Indian IT stock movements helps make sense of both the recent correction and future performance.
US Economic Dependence: Indian IT firms generate roughly 50-60 percent of revenue from the United States, so US economic strength directly influences sector performance. Recessions or risk-off periods in the US tend to weigh heavily on IT stock valuations.
US Federal Reserve Rate Decisions: Higher US interest rates tend to slow corporate technology spending and dealmaking, which can directly affect revenue growth for Indian IT exporters. Monthly US technology spending data offers an early read on sector direction.
USD-INR Currency Movement: A weaker rupee generally benefits IT companies, since dollar revenue converts into more rupees. A stronger rupee compresses margins, even with hedging in place, with each Re 1 move in USD-INR estimated to affect operating margins by roughly 0.5-1 percent.
H-1B Visa Policy and Costs: Changes to H-1B visa rules, including proposed fee increases, can raise costs and limit onsite staffing flexibility for Indian IT companies serving US clients.
AI-Driven Disruption Concerns: A newer factor weighing on sector sentiment in 2025-2026 is investor concern that AI could automate portions of traditional IT services work, pressuring long-term revenue growth assumptions even as companies also position AI as a growth driver through AI-enabled service offerings. For a broader look at how AI is reshaping opportunities across Indian markets, see our guide on AI stocks in India.
India's IT sector continues pursuing growth toward a projected larger digital economy by the end of the decade, supported by rising domestic digitization, expanding Global Capability Centres (GCCs), and continued AI and cloud adoption. Industry estimates point to sector revenue potentially reaching significantly higher levels by 2030 from current levels, though the path is unlikely to be linear given the volatility seen through 2025-2026.
Domestic revenue growth is an increasingly important theme alongside traditional export-driven business, as government digitization initiatives, a growing domestic startup ecosystem, and rising smartphone and digital payment adoption expand the addressable market within India itself.
Global leadership position: India's roughly 56 percent share of global IT outsourcing reflects a durable competitive advantage built on skilled talent, cost efficiency, and English proficiency
Strong financial metrics: IT companies typically post ROE in the 15-40 percent range and healthy profit margins, generating substantial free cash flow
Consistent capital returns: Many IT companies return cash to shareholders through dividends and buybacks
Improved valuations post-correction: The 2025-2026 correction has brought valuations closer to historical averages, which some investors view as a more reasonable entry point than the 2024 peak
Price Volatility: IT stocks can swing 5-10 percent in a single session around earnings or global macro news, which can be unsettling for investors focused on daily price movement rather than quarterly fundamentals.
Valuation Risk: Even after the correction, some names still carry premium valuations, leaving limited room for earnings disappointments.
US Market Dependence: With 50-60 percent revenue exposure to the US, the sector remains vulnerable to American economic slowdowns, a pattern seen during both the 2000 dot-com crash and the 2008 financial crisis.
H-1B and Immigration Policy Uncertainty: Policy changes affecting visa costs or availability can raise expenses and reduce onsite staffing flexibility.
Margin Pressure: Rising AI and cloud talent costs, compliance expenses, and competitive wage inflation continue to pressure margins across the sector.
AI Disruption Risk: The extent to which AI automates traditional IT services work over the coming years remains a genuine, unresolved question for long-term revenue growth assumptions across the sector.
A structured evaluation process reduces the risk of chasing headlines rather than fundamentals.
Step 1: Screen for financial health. Use a tool like the Dhanarthi Screener directly, to filter for consistent revenue growth, stable or improving margins, and manageable debt levels.
Step 2: Study the financial statements. Reviewing the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement over at least three years builds a clearer picture than a single quarter's numbers.
Step 3: Assess competitive positioning. Determine whether the company is a market leader, fast follower, or struggling player within its specific IT sub-segment, and track whether its market share trend is improving or declining.
Step 4: Review management quality. Reading earnings call transcripts and checking historical capital allocation decisions helps gauge whether management follows through on stated priorities, and staying current with quarterly results analysis keeps this assessment up to date each reporting season.
Step 5: Check valuation. Compare the PE ratio and price-to-book ratio against historical averages and sector peers, and consider intrinsic value estimates to gauge margin of safety.
Step 6: Understand leverage. Reviewing financial leverage and debt-to-equity ratio helps confirm the company isn't carrying excessive risk into a downturn.
Direct stock picking isn't for everyone. Two simpler routes exist for gaining IT sector exposure.
Nifty IT Index Fund: Tracks the Nifty IT Index, holding the top IT companies in market-weight proportion. This offers instant diversification and low fees, though returns will never exceed the index itself, and underperforming constituents get held alongside the winners.
Actively Managed IT Sector Mutual Funds: Professional fund managers select and weight IT stocks with the goal of beating the index, though not all funds achieve this consistently after fees, making a fund's long-term track record worth checking carefully before investing.
India's IT sector enters the second half of 2026 in a genuinely different position than it was two years earlier. The sharp correction since August 2024, a combined market cap decline of over 46 percent among the top five names, has reset valuations closer to historical norms, even as questions around AI-driven disruption to traditional IT services persist.
TCS, Infosys, and HCL Technologies continue to anchor the large-cap, dividend-paying segment of the sector, while names like LTIMindtree, Persistent Systems, and KPIT Technologies offer more concentrated growth or thematic exposure. Cross-checking any of these companies' latest fundamentals directly through Dhanarthi's financial analysis tools can help verify whether current data supports a long-term thesis before acting on it. This comparison is reviewed and refreshed regularly, so figures reflect current market conditions rather than a static snapshot from the 2024 peak.
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, nor does it recommend buying, selling, or holding any specific security. Dhanarthi is not a SEBI-registered investment advisor or research analyst. Stock market investments are subject to market risks, and past performance does not guarantee future results. Please consult a qualified, SEBI-registered financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
1. Which are the best IT stocks in India right now?
TCS, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, and Persistent Systems are among the most closely watched IT stocks in India as of 2026, combining sector-leading fundamentals with exposure to AI-driven digital transformation. Always verify current data before making any decision, since sector conditions can shift quickly.
2. What are the top 10 IT stocks in India for 2026?
The most discussed IT stocks include TCS, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Wipro, Tech Mahindra, LTIMindtree, Persistent Systems, Coforge, Mphasis, and KPIT Technologies, spanning large-cap stability, mid-cap growth, and thematic plays in telecom, BFSI, and automotive technology.
3. Why did Indian IT stocks fall so much in 2025-2026?
The top five IT stocks' combined market cap fell over 46 percent from their August 2024 peak, driven by slowing global technology spending, concerns about AI-driven disruption to traditional services, and multiple brokerage downgrades on earnings risk.
4. Are IT stocks good for long-term investment after the correction?
The 2025-2026 correction has brought valuations closer to historical averages, roughly a 36 percent discount to the 10-year average P/E for large caps, which some investors view as a more reasonable entry point. As with any sector, long-term suitability depends on individual financial goals and risk tolerance.
5. Which IT stock has the highest dividend yield in India?
Wipro and HCL Technologies currently offer the highest dividend yields among large-cap IT names, at roughly 5.7 percent and 5.6 percent respectively, with the sector average around 4.9 percent as of mid-2026.
6. What factors affect Indian IT stock prices?
Key factors include US economic health, since 50-60 percent of revenue comes from American clients, USD-INR currency movement, US Federal Reserve interest rate decisions, H-1B visa policy changes, and increasingly, investor concerns around AI-driven disruption to traditional IT services demand.
7. Which IT company has the largest market cap in India?
TCS remains India's largest IT company by market capitalization, at approximately Rs 8.9 lakh crore as of mid-2026, followed by Infosys at around Rs 4.4 lakh crore and HCL Technologies among the next tier of large caps.
8. Is Wipro a good stock to consider given its recent underperformance?
Wipro has underperformed large-cap peers for several years and saw a further decline in 2026, with at least one major brokerage assigning a negative rating. The company continues restructuring efforts, though results have been slower to show than at competitors, making it a name that warrants closer individual research before any decision.
9. Which mid-cap IT stocks have the strongest growth potential?
LTIMindtree and Persistent Systems are frequently cited among growth-oriented mid-cap IT names, both showing stronger multi-year growth rates than several large-cap peers, though this comes with higher volatility typical of mid-cap technology stocks.
10. What are the main risks of investing in IT stocks?
Key risks include heavy US market dependence, currency fluctuation impact on margins, H-1B visa policy uncertainty, ongoing margin pressure from wage and AI-talent costs, valuation risk even post-correction, and the unresolved question of how AI adoption will affect long-term services demand.
11. How should I evaluate an IT stock before investing?
Start by checking revenue growth consistency, margin trends, and debt levels, then assess competitive positioning and management quality through earnings call transcripts. Compare valuation multiples like P/E and P/B against historical averages and sector peers before making any decision.
12. Which IT stock is best suited for beginners?
Large-cap names like TCS and HCL Technologies tend to see less day-to-day volatility than mid-cap peers, which some beginners find easier to hold through. A Nifty IT Index Fund is another option for beginners seeking diversified sector exposure without picking individual stocks.
13. What is the outlook for India's IT industry going forward?
The sector's long-term growth thesis remains intact, supported by India's outsourcing leadership, expanding Global Capability Centres, and continued digital and AI adoption, though near-term performance will likely stay tied to US economic conditions and how quickly AI-related disruption concerns resolve.
14. Which IT stocks have the most exposure to AI-driven growth?
Infosys and Persistent Systems are frequently highlighted for AI-focused digital transformation offerings, while most large-cap IT firms have expanded AI-related service lines, making sector-wide AI exposure a growing rather than isolated theme.
15. Should I invest directly in IT stocks or through a mutual fund?
Direct stock picking suits investors comfortable researching individual companies and tracking quarterly results, while a Nifty IT Index Fund or actively managed IT sector fund offers diversified exposure with less ongoing research required, at the cost of potentially lower upside versus a well-chosen individual stock.
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