Indian Stock Market: Complete Briefing for Thursday, 19 February — Sensex, Nifty 50, Bank Nifty
Sensex at record highs, IT quietly bleeding, metals roaring, RBI holding rates, and unemployment flashing warning signs — is this the calm before India’s next breakout or a trap? Unlock today’s 2026 market briefing before the smart money fully positions itself.
What’s driving Indian equities in the third week of February? Which sectors are surging, which are stumbling, and where should you put your money right now?
Indian equity markets enter Thursday, 19 February 2026, on the back of a three-session rally that has pushed the BSE Sensex past 83,700 and the Nifty 50 above the psychologically important 25,800 mark. With GIFT Nifty futures trading near 25,833 — a modest 5-point premium to the previous close — the session is expected to open flat-to-positive. Global tailwinds from a tech-driven Wall Street rally overnight, coupled with a muted India VIX near 12, paint a picture of cautious optimism. But beneath the headline numbers lies a complex interplay of monetary policy signals, global trade dynamics, and sector-level rotations that every Indian investor needs to understand.
This market briefing brings you every critical data point, sector trend, stock recommendation, and risk insight you need to navigate the Indian stock market today — all backed by the freshest figures from NSE India, BSE, RBI, and leading financial research houses.
Indian Market Overview: Where Do Sensex, Nifty 50 & Bank Nifty Stand?
On Wednesday, 18 February 2026, the BSE Sensex gained 283 points (0.34%) to close at 83,734.25, while the NSE Nifty 50 advanced 94 points (0.37%) to settle at 25,819.35. Both benchmarks extended their winning streak to three consecutive sessions. The Nifty Bank index outperformed the broader market, surging 377 points (0.62%) to close at 61,550.80 — placing it within a whisker of its 52-week high of 61,764 .
Investor Sentiment Snapshot
The India VIX, often called the “fear gauge,” declined roughly 3.5% to hover around 12, signaling calm and reduced hedging demand among institutional participants . The put-call ratio (PCR) showed strong put writing at 25,700 and 25,600 Nifty strikes, creating a robust support cushion, while call writers were active at 26,000 and 26,200 — suggesting a defined trading range for the near term . The BSE MidCap index ended 2.7% higher and the BSE SmallCap index jumped 3.3%, confirming broad-based risk appetite beyond the large-cap space.
Rupee and Global Context
The Indian rupee ended flat around ₹90.68 per U.S. dollar, showing resilience despite global currency volatility . Brent crude oil drifted below $82/barrel, a tailwind for India’s import bill and inflation outlook .
Key Economic Drivers: GDP, Inflation, RBI Policy & Employment
Understanding where the macro stands is critical to interpreting Indian stock market trends in 2026. Let’s break down the numbers that matter.
India GDP Growth Trajectory
The RBI set its real GDP growth expectation for FY2025–26 at 7.4%, marginally higher than its previous estimate, reflecting confidence in domestic demand despite persistent global trade risks and financial market uncertainty. This places growth above both the central bank’s earlier quarterly trajectory and the government’s economic adviser’s forecast of 6.8–7.2%. The growth story is underpinned by robust public capital expenditure, a supportive Union Budget, and landmark trade developments including the India–US trade deal and progress on the India–EU free trade agreement.
CPI Inflation: A Benign Landscape
India’s headline CPI inflation has remained remarkably tame. December 2025 printed at just 1.3%, and inflation has stayed below 2% for six consecutive months, driven primarily by a sharp cooling in food prices. The RBI’s FY26 headline inflation projection stands at 2.1%, with expectations of a gradual uptick to 3.2% in Q4 FY26, 4.0% in Q1 FY27, and 4.2% in Q2 FY27. Governor Sanjay Malhotra has noted that headline CPI remains below the 4–6% tolerance band and is “benign,” giving the central bank room to assess conditions.
However, a subtle shift has occurred: the RBI nudged its inflation projections upward by 10 basis points to factor in the impact of a sharp rally in gold (up 70% year-on-year) and silver (up more than 200%), which has kept core inflation robust. The transition to a new CPI series (base year shifted to 2024) may also push headline prints higher by 20–40 basis points purely due to methodological changes, even if actual prices remain unchanged.
RBI Repo Rate: On Hold at 5.25%
In its February 2026 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the RBI held the repo rate unchanged at 5.25%, maintaining a neutral stance. This follows a cumulative 125 basis points of cuts over the prior easing cycle. The message is clear: growth looks solid enough to justify a pause, and the central bank is content to monitor evolving inflation signals — especially the new CPI series — before committing to further action. For equity investors, the benign rate environment continues to support valuations, particularly in rate-sensitive sectors like banking, real estate, and auto.
Unemployment and Consumption
With government spending ramping up post-Budget and the India–US trade deal boosting business confidence, employment indicators remain constructive. Strong credit growth in retail and enterprise segments suggests consumption demand is holding firm, a positive signal for corporate earnings.
Nifty 50 Today: A Detailed Point-by-Point Breakdown
Here's everything you need to know about the Nifty 50's behaviour heading into 19 February 2026:
- Previous close: 25,819.35 (up 93.95 points / +0.37%)
- GIFT Nifty signal: Trading near 25,833, indicating a flat-to-mildly-positive open on Thursday
- Three-day rally: The Nifty has now gained for three consecutive sessions, recovering from the early-February dip that tested the 24,900–25,000 support zone
- 20-day EMA support: The index respected its 20-day exponential moving average near 25,645–25,660 and closed decisively above 25,800
- Immediate resistance: 25,850–25,900; a breakout here could push the index towards the key psychological level of 26,000
- Support levels: 25,650, then 25,600–25,550
- Technical indicators: MACD and RSI remain in positive territory; the bias is mildly bullish with a "buy-on-dip" approach recommended
- Options data: Heavy put writing at 25,700 and 25,600 provides a floor; call writing at 26,000 and 26,200 caps near-term upside
- Broader market strength: MidCap (+2.7%) and SmallCap (+3.3%) indices significantly outperformed the Nifty, suggesting strong risk appetite
- Volatility: India VIX near 12 indicates low fear; a favourable setup for bulls as long as it remains below 14
BSE Sensex vs Nifty 50: February 2026 Comparison
| Parameter | BSE Sensex | NSE Nifty 50 |
| Close (18 Feb) | 83,734.25 | 25,819.35 |
| Day Change | +283.29 pts (+0.34%) | +93.95 pts (+0.37%) |
| 3-Day Streak | Positive (3 sessions) | Positive (3 sessions) |
| Early Feb Low | 82,000 zone | 24,900 zone |
| Feb Recovery | 2.1% from low | 3.7% from low |
| 52-Week High Proximity | Within 2% | Within 1.5% |
| Top Gainer (18 Feb) | Tata Steel (+2.8%) | Tata Steel (+2.8%) |
| Top Loser (18 Feb) | Tech Mahindra (-1.6%) | Tech Mahindra (-1.6%) |
| Sectoral Leadership | Metals, PSU Banks, FMCG | Metals, PSU Banks, FMCG |
| Sectoral Laggard | IT (-1.2%) | IT (-1.2%) |
| Volatility (VIX) | 12 | 12 |
| Rupee Impact | Neutral (₹90.68/USD) | Neutral (₹90.68/USD) |
Both indices are moving in tight lockstep this February, with the Nifty 50 showing slightly higher percentage gains from its early-month lows due to heavier weightage of outperforming metal and PSU bank stocks .
Latest News Highlights: What's Moving Indian Markets Right Now
Here are the most impactful headlines and their market implications:
- L&T–Nvidia AI Factory Partnership: Larsen & Toubro announced a landmark collaboration with Nvidia to build gigawatt-scale AI factory infrastructure using Nvidia GPUs and networking. This includes scaling GPU clusters at L&T's Chennai data centre and constructing a new 40 MW facility in Mumbai — positioning L&T as a key beneficiary of India's AI infrastructure boom.
- Infosys Launches Comprehensive AI Strategy: Infosys unveiled a full-spectrum AI strategy covering AI-first service design, data readiness, process integration, legacy modernization, and responsible AI governance. This signals the company's intent to capture the next wave of enterprise AI demand.
- Power Mech Projects Bags ₹10 Bn+ Adani Orders: Power Mech received contracts worth over ₹10 billion from Adani Power subsidiaries for two 2x800 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power projects at Mirzapur Phase-I and Mahan Phase-III.
- Dilip Buildcon Wins Gujarat Government Contract: The company emerged as the L-1 bidder for a ₹7.02 billion project from the Narmada Water Resources Department.
- E2E Networks Partners with Nvidia via L&T: The Indian cloud provider is deploying NVIDIA Blackwell GPU clusters on Nvidia's TIR platform at the L&T Vyoma Data Centre in Chennai — supporting India's AI ambitions across healthcare, finance, and manufacturing.
- Unicommerce eSolutions Surges 25%: The SaaS platform reported 72.2% year-on-year revenue growth and a 51% increase in adjusted EBITDA, driven by strong enterprise client additions .
- PSU Banks Hit Record Highs: Punjab National Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, and other public-sector lenders rallied on improved asset-quality metrics and strong growth guidance .
- RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%: The February 2026 MPC decision to maintain rates supports continued credit growth and keeps the cost of capital low for India Inc..
- India–US Trade Deal Boost: Progress on bilateral trade arrangements is bolstering FDI sentiment and improving the outlook for export-oriented sectors.
- Gold and Silver Rally Fuels Core Inflation: With gold up 70% and silver up 200%+ year-on-year, precious metals are the primary driver of core inflation, keeping the RBI watchful despite low headline numbers.
Foreign Indices That Influenced Indian Markets
Global cues play a decisive role in Indian market opening trends. Here's the state of play as of the Wednesday close:
| Index | Close | Change | % Change | Impact on India |
| Dow Jones | 49,662.66 | +128 | +0.26% | Mildly positive; industrial sentiment firm |
| S&P 500 | 6,881.31 | +38 | +0.56% | Positive; broad risk-on sentiment |
| Nasdaq Composite | 22,753.64 | +176 | +0.78% | Strong tech rebound lifted sentiment for Indian IT |
| Nikkei 225 | Up 0.8% | – | +0.8% | Asian optimism; supports regional flows |
| MSCI Asia-Pacific ex-Japan | Up 0.6% | – | +0.6% | Broad Asian strength |
| Euro Stoxx 50 Futures | Up 0.2% | – | +0.2% | Muted European cue |
| FTSE/DAX/CAC 40 | +0.33% to +0.53% | – | Moderate | Steady risk appetite |
| Brent Crude | Below $82/bbl | – | Softening | Favourable for India's import bill |
| US Dollar Index | Slightly weaker | – | Negative | Supports rupee stability |
The tech-led Wall Street rally was particularly significant: NVIDIA gained 1.6%, Meta 0.6%, Amazon 1.81%, and Microsoft 0.7%, which could drive renewed interest in Indian IT stocks after Wednesday's sell-off.
Top 10 Stocks to Buy on NSE/BSE for 2026
The following picks balance growth potential, valuation discipline, and sector tailwinds. These are research-informed ideas, not guaranteed returns — always conduct your own due diligence.
- Infosys (INFY): P/E 24x; dividend yield 2.5%. The new AI strategy positions Infosys to capture enterprise AI spending. Mega-deal momentum and margin improvement via generative AI tools make this a core IT holding.
- State Bank of India (SBIN): P/E 8x; dividend yield 1.8%. The largest PSU bank benefits from credit growth exceeding 14%, improving asset quality, and the rate-pause environment. A play on India's financial deepening.
- Tata Steel: P/E 12x. The metals rally driven by tariff expectations on Chinese imports and infrastructure spending makes Tata Steel a cyclical favorite. Strong balance sheet after deleveraging .
- ITC Ltd: P/E 25x; dividend yield 3.2%. FMCG defensive with cigarette pricing power, hotel business recovery, and demerged IT-services entity. Consistent dividend payer.
- Larsen & Toubro (L&T): P/E 30x. The Nvidia partnership for AI infrastructure, massive order book (>₹4 lakh crore), and exposure to India's capex boom make L&T a structural play on India's modernization.
- Sun Pharma: P/E 32x. India's largest pharma company with a strong specialty portfolio and US market recovery. Pharma sector offers both defensive and growth characteristics.
- Bajaj Auto: P/E 28x; dividend yield 1.1%. Strong domestic and export volumes, premiumization trend, and electric vehicle optionality.
- HDFC Bank: P/E 18x; dividend yield 1.2%. The largest private bank trades at a reasonable valuation relative to its earnings growth trajectory; credit growth and NIM expansion remain tailwinds .
- Bharat Electronics (BEL): P/E 38x. A defense sector beneficiary with an expanding order pipeline; India's rising defence budget and indigenous procurement mandate create a multi-year growth runway.
- Netweb Technologies: P/E 50x (growth premium). India's leading AI server and high-performance computing company with a strong order pipeline tied to the data centre investment wave. High growth justifies the premium .
Top 10 Gainers — 18 February 2026
| Rank | Stock | % Change | Analysis |
| 1 | Godfrey Phillips | +20.0% | Massive rally triggered by product price hikes and improved tobacco margins; speculative interest amplified the move |
| 2 | Transformers & Rectifiers | +9.2% | Continued demand for transformers amid India's power infra build-out; record order book fueled buying |
| 3 | Netweb Technologies | +9.0% | Strong order pipeline for AI servers; direct beneficiary of L&T-Nvidia partnership and data centre investment |
| 4 | Schneider Electric Infra | +8.1% | Robust quarterly results and capital goods upcycle drove sharp gains |
| 5 | Apar Industries | +5–7% | Order wins in the specialty cable and conductor segment |
| 6 | HEG Ltd | +5–7% | Graphite electrode demand recovery; beneficiary of global steel production uptick |
| 7 | Techno Electric & Engineering | +5%+ | Renewable energy orders provided upside catalyst |
| 8 | Punjab National Bank | +2.7% | Rallied to record high on strong growth guidance and asset quality improvement |
| 9 | Tata Steel | +2.8% | Global steel price rally and tariff optimism on Chinese imports |
| 10 | ITC | +2.3% | Defensive buying and FMCG strength; cigarette business pricing power |
Top 10 Losers — 18 February 2026
| Rank | Stock | % Change | Analysis |
| 1 | Tech Mahindra | -1.6% | IT sector weakness; concerns over US tech spending and margin pressure |
| 2 | Infosys | -1.4% | Profit-taking after recent rally; cautious near-term outlook on large deals despite strong AI strategy |
| 3 | Eternal (Zomato) | -1.4% | Short build-up in F&O segment; sector rotation away from new-age tech |
| 4 | Adani Ports | -1.3% | Profit-booking after previous session's gains; cargo volumes remained stable |
| 5 | HCLTech | -1.0% | Broad IT sell-off; valuations seen as stretched relative to near-term earnings visibility |
| 6 | TCS | -1.0% | Marginal decline amid sector-wide selling; fundamentally strong but short-term sentiment negative |
| 7 | Max Healthcare | Declined | Profit-taking in healthcare after a strong run |
| 8 | Power Grid Corp | Declined | Utility sector saw some selling amid rotation into cyclicals |
| 9 | ONGC | Declined | Softening crude oil prices dampened upstream oil sentiment |
| 10 | NTPC | Declined | Power sector profit-booking; investors rotated into metals and PSU banks |
Sector Performance India 2026: A Comparative Analysis
| Sector | Feb 18 Performance | 2026 YTD Trend | Key Drivers | Outlook |
| Metals | +1.33% | Strong rally from Jan lows | Tariff hopes on Chinese imports; global steel price recovery; infrastructure spending | Bullish — government infra push and trade policy support further upside |
| PSU Banking | +1.31% | Record highs | Asset quality improvement; credit growth >14%; government recapitalization | Bullish — valuations still attractive vs private peers |
| FMCG | +1.2% | Steady gains | Defensive buying; price hikes; stable rural demand | Neutral-to-positive — limited upside catalysts beyond defensiveness |
| Oil & Gas | +0.5% | Range-bound | Softer crude helps OMCs; Reliance telecom tariff optimism | Neutral — crude price direction is key variable |
| Auto | +0.5% | Moderate gains | Strong M&M tractor/SUV sales; EV momentum | Positive — rural recovery and festive demand pipeline |
| Banking (Private) | +0.62% (Nifty Bank) | Nearing 52-week highs | Strong NIMs; credit growth; benign rate environment | Bullish — rate-sensitive sector benefits from RBI pause |
| Pharma | +0.98% (Sun Pharma) | Outperformer | Specialty portfolio growth; US generic recovery; defensive appeal | Bullish — significant "moats" per expert commentary |
| IT | -1.2% | Underperformer in Feb | US tech spending concerns; profit-taking; AI disruption uncertainty | Cautious — long-term AI tailwinds but near-term headwinds |
| Consumer Durables | Gained | Recovery phase | Real estate revival driving appliance demand; premiumization | Positive — linked to housing upcycle |
| Defence | Steady (BEL +2%) | Multi-year structural trend | Rising defence budget; indigenization mandate; order pipeline | Strongly bullish — multi-year theme |
Expert Sunil Singhania of Abakkus Asset Management has reiterated strong conviction in pharmaceuticals and financials as top sector picks for 2026, while remaining cautious on IT services due to AI disruption risks. He forecasts low-to-mid teen returns for Indian equities overall, emphasizing that careful stock selection will be the differentiator in 2026.
Analysis & Recommendations: Portfolio Strategies by Risk Appetite
Conservative Portfolio (Low Risk)
Suited for retirees and capital-preservation-focused investors.
- Allocation: 40% large-cap banking (HDFC Bank, SBI), 25% FMCG (ITC, Marico), 20% pharma (Sun Pharma, Dr. Reddy's), 15% government bonds/liquid funds
- Pros: Stable dividends (ITC 3.2%, SBI 1.8%); low volatility sectors; defensive positioning
- Cons: Limited upside in a strong bull market; FMCG valuations are stretched
- Earnings drivers: PSU bank asset quality improvement, pharma US market recovery, FMCG price hikes
Balanced Portfolio (Medium Risk)
Ideal for salaried professionals with a 3–5 year horizon.
- Allocation: 30% banking/financial (SBI, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finance), 20% IT (Infosys, HCLTech), 20% industrial/infrastructure (L&T, BEL), 15% pharma (Sun Pharma), 15% metals (Tata Steel)
- Pros: Diversified across cyclical and defensive sectors; captures India's capex and AI themes
- Cons: IT sector faces near-term headwinds; metals are cyclical and volatile
- Earnings drivers: L&T–Nvidia partnership revenue potential, credit growth in banks, Infosys AI deal pipeline
Aggressive Portfolio (High Risk)
For investors with high risk tolerance and a 5+ year horizon.
- Allocation: 25% mid/small-cap tech (Netweb Technologies, E2E Networks), 25% metals/energy (Tata Steel, Hindustan Copper), 20% PSU banks (PNB, Bank of Maharashtra), 15% defence (BEL, HAL), 15% specialty plays (Transformers & Rectifiers, Schneider Electric)
- Pros: High-beta exposure to India's AI infrastructure boom, defence indigenization, and power capex cycle
- Cons: Higher drawdown risk; mid/small-caps can be illiquid during sell-offs; elevated P/E multiples
- Earnings drivers: AI server order books (Netweb), record transformer demand, PSU bank re-rating, defence order pipeline
Stock Recommendations for Thursday, 19 February 2026
Based on technical setups, sectoral momentum, and fundamental triggers:
- Buy Tata Steel on dips toward ₹170–175: Metal momentum remains strong; tariff news on Chinese imports could be the next catalyst. Stop-loss at ₹165 .
- Accumulate SBI around ₹1,200: PSU bank index is at record highs; SBI offers the best liquidity and earnings visibility in the segment. Target ₹1,300.
- Hold Infosys: Despite the one-day dip, the AI strategy announcement is a medium-term positive. Wait for the 25-day SMA to hold before adding. Avoid panic selling.
- Buy L&T for the long term: The Nvidia partnership opens a new growth vertical in AI infrastructure. Any dip toward ₹4,200 is an accumulation opportunity.
- Avoid Tech Mahindra near current levels: The stock is the weakest IT name and faces margin headwinds. Wait for a clear reversal pattern before entry .
- Watch Netweb Technologies: After a 9% rally, wait for a consolidation pullback before buying. Target remains 15–20% upside over 6 months on AI server demand .
- ITC as a defensive anchor: With a 3.2% dividend yield and steady FMCG growth, ITC provides portfolio ballast during volatile sessions .
- Bank Nifty longs above 61,600: If the banking index clears the 61,650–61,800 resistance zone, it could target 62,200. Stop-loss at 61,200 .
- Book profits in Godfrey Phillips: After a 20% single-day surge, the risk-reward is unfavourable for fresh entry. Existing holders should trail stop-losses .
- Consider Bajaj Auto on earnings momentum: Strong domestic and export volumes, premium product mix, and EV optionality make this an attractive two-wheeler play at current valuations.
Final Thought
Thursday, 19 February 2026, finds the Indian market at a fascinating inflection point. The Nifty 50 is poised at 25,819 — within striking distance of 26,000 — while Bank Nifty flirts with its 52-week high above 61,550 . The macro backdrop is arguably the most favourable in recent years: GDP growth at 7.4%, CPI inflation at a benign 2.1%, and a repo rate anchored at 5.25% after 125 basis points of cuts.
Yet selectivity has never mattered more. As Sunil Singhania warns, 2026 will not deliver easy gains — investors must prioritize companies with strong fundamentals and careful valuations. The AI infrastructure theme (L&T, Netweb, E2E Networks), the PSU banking re-rating (PNB, SBI, Bank of Maharashtra), and the pharma sector's defensive moat are the three threads to watch most closely in the weeks ahead.
Metals and PSU banks are leading the current rotation, IT is under pressure but building long-term AI optionality, and FMCG remains the safe harbour for cautious capital . The India VIX at 12 suggests the market expects calm — but the best investors know that calm is the best time to prepare for the next big move.
Disclaimer: This analysis on Indian stock market trends is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Markets are volatile; past performance isn't indicative of future results. Consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.
