Sensex Dips 256 Pts, Nifty Below 25,450 as Banks, Autos Drag; IT Shines

• Indian equities opened lower on Friday, with Sensex down 256.50 points to 81,992.11 and Nifty below 25,450 at 25,401.90.
• Technology stocks defied the broader market trend, with Infosys gaining over 2.4%, and Tech Mahindra, HCLTech, TCS, and Wipro also in the green.
• Financial stocks like ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, and HDFC Bank were key losers, pulling benchmarks down.
• Heavyweight Reliance Industries declined about 1%, contributing to the Sensex's downward pressure.
• Other major laggards included Bharti Airtel, Maruti Suzuki, M&M, and UltraTech Cement, all falling over 1%.