<h1>Stock markets fall as IT and oil shares decline ahead of Q1 earnings season</h1> Stock markets closed lower with the 30-share index falling 176.43 points to 83,536.08 and the 50-share index declining 46.40 points to 25,476.10. IT and oil shares dragged markets down as investors remained cautious ahead of Q1 earnings season. A mining company's shares dropped 3.38% after a short seller released a critical report alleging financial unsustainability. Mixed global trends and trade tensions influenced sentiment. Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 26.12 crore while domestic institutional investors purchased stocks worth Rs 1,366.82 crore.