Taking Stock: Nifty above 25,800, Sensex up 283 pts; IT caps gains

Market Today

• Sensex rose 283 points, Nifty up 94 points, led by broad buying
• IT stocks fell 1.2 percent, all other sectors ended higher
• NDL Ventures up 20% on CCI approval for Hinduja Leyland merger

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Indian benchmark indices ended higher for the third consecutive session on February 18 in a volatile trade, with Nifty above 25,800 supported by broad-based buying across sectors, while IT stocks remained the sole laggard.

The market wiped out its opening gains in early trade and continued selling pressure during the first hour dragged the Nifty index to the day’s low of 25,645.15. However, the benchmark staged a gradual recovery as the session progressed, with extended buying the final hour helped to close near day's high.

At close, the Sensex was up 283.29 points or 0.34 percent at 83,734.25, and the Nifty was up 93.95 points or 0.37 percent at 25,819.35.

The broader indices remained relatively stable during the session and outperformed the main indices with the Nifty Midcap and Nifty Smallcap indices rising 0.5% each.

Also Read - Small caps move into stock-specific phase after sharp swings

On the sectoral front, except IT (down 1.2) all other indices ended higher with metal, FMCG, PSU Bank indices up 1% each, while Private Bank, realty, auto, oil & gas up 0.5% each.

Tata Steel, HDFC Life, ITC, Tata Consumer, Bajaj Auto were among major gainers on the Nifty, while losers included ONGC, Eternal, Wipro, Infosys, Adani Enterprises.

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Index	Prices	Change	Change%
Sensex	74,563.92	-1,470.50	-1.93%
Nifty 50	23,151.10	-488.05	-2.06%
Nifty Bank	53,757.85	-1,343.10	-2.44%

Nifty 50 23,151.10 -488.05 (-2.06%)

Fri, Mar 13, 2026

• 1D
• 5D
• 1M
• 3M
• 6M
• 1Y
• 2Y

Biggest Gainer	Prices	Change	Change%
TATA Cons. Prod	1,083.60	25.80	+2.44%

Biggest Loser	Prices	Change	Change%
Larsen	3,439.00	-280.50	-7.54%

Best Sector	Prices	Change	Change%
Nifty FMCG	47924.15	-265.00	-0.55%

Worst Sector	Prices	Change	Change%
Nifty Metal	11292.50	-571.40	-4.82%

In stock specific action, NDL Ventures shares rose 20% on CCI approval for merger with Hinduja Leyland Finance, Dilip Buildcon shares added 3.7% on winning project worth Rs 702 crore, Netweb Technologies India shares added 9% on launching ‘Make in India’ AI supercomputing systems, Power Mech Projects shares added 4% on winning orders of over Rs 1,000 crore.

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Nearly 100 stocks touched their 52-week low, including Brainbees Solutions, Cello World, Ola Electric, Clean Science, Abbott India, C. E. Info Systems, Cohance Life, Blue Jet, Firstsource Solutions, Newgen Software, among others. Click to View More

More than 100 stocks touched their 52-week high, including Apar Industries, Graphite India, Bank of Maharashtra, Force Motors, Union Bank of India, Jindal Steel, Marico, Cummins, JSW Steel, Bajaj Auto, Indus Towers, Bank of India, Indian Bank, KEI Industries, L&T, Hitachi Energy, Voltas, among others. Click to View More

Outlook for February 19

Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking

Markets edged higher for the third consecutive session amid volatility and ended with modest gains. After opening near flat, the Nifty drifted lower initially and then moved in a range for most of the session. However, noticeable traction in select heavyweight stocks during the final hours helped the index close near the day’s high at 25,819.30. Sectoral performance was largely in line with the benchmark, with metals, FMCG and banking emerging as the top gainers, while IT slipped after the recent rebound. Broader indices, including midcaps and smallcaps, saw selective participation and gained about 0.5% each.

Sentiment remained measured due to weak global technology cues and broader risk-off behaviour in overseas markets, while expectations around macro data and corporate earnings continued to influence positioning. In the absence of fresh domestic triggers, trading activity stayed selective and stock-specific throughout the session.

Market participants are attempting to regain control, but indications still favour an extended consolidation phase. The 26,000 level remains a key hurdle for the Nifty, while the 25,400–25,600 zone is likely to offer support on any dip. In this environment, a stock-specific approach is advisable, with focus on sectors and themes showing consistent trends, along with disciplined position sizing given the possibility of renewed volatility.

Nagaraj Shetti, Senior Technical Research Analyst at HDFC Securities

Nifty continued its upside momentum for the third consecutive sessions on Wednesday and closed the day higher by 93 points. After showing a minor weakness in the early part of the session, the market recovered again from the lows extended gains in the mid-to- later part of the session. The bearish opening downside gap of 13th Feb has been filled completely on the bounce at 25750 levels and Nifty closed higher.

A reasonable bull candle was formed on the daily chart with long lower shadow. Technically, this market action indicates a breakout of crucial gap resistance at 25750 levels. The previous huge bullish opening upside gap of 3rd Feb remains partially filled. This is positive indication and could pull Nifty towards 26000 and next 26350 levels in the near term. Immediate support is placed at 25650.

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