** Indian IT stocks .NIFTYIT rise 1.8% after U.S. peer Accenture's ACN.N better-than-expected Q2 earnings

** Heavyweights Infosys up 1.5%, Tata Consultancy Services 0.7% higher; HCL Technologies HCLT.NS up 1.6%, and Tech Mahindra TEML.NS is top pct gainer, rising 2.5%

** CLSA says ACN signing 41 deals above $100 mln, a sequential rise in headcount as positive indicators for IT services demand in an AI‑driven environment

** Remains constructive on Indian IT on attractive valuations, potential for earlier-than-expected recovery in earnings

** Ambit Insights says ACN's 3Q guidance signals weakest growth in seven quarters, coinciding with start of FY27 for Indian IT

** Adds ACN's performance in developed markets weak similar to Indian IT; BFSI Q2 growth slowed to 7% y/y from 12–13% in recent quarters

** Five of 10 NIFTYIT stocks rated “hold” on average — data compiled by LSEG

** NIFTYIT down 5% so far in March; down 23% YTD vs an 11% fall in Nifty 50 .NSEI

(Reporting by Yagnoseni Das in Bengaluru)

((Yagnoseni.Das@thomsonreuters.com;))