Indian Stock Market Trends: Sensex, Nifty Insights & Top Picks for February 2026
Will Nifty smash 25,750 or crash on US-Iran war fears? US trade deal unleashes FII frenzy ₹5,236 Cr—Trent skyrockets, IT tanks! 6.9% GDP bombshell + top 10 stocks to buy NOW. Don’t invest blind—unlock 2026’s hidden winners before markets explode!
Indian stock market trends in early February 2026 show volatility amid global cues, US-India trade deals, and RBI policy anticipation. Investors seek clarity on BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 movements as markets digest Q3 earnings and economic data on this Friday, February 6.
Indian Market Overview
BSE Sensex closed at around 83,314 on February 5, down 504 points or 0.60%, reflecting profit-booking after recent rallies fuelled by the India-US trade agreement. NSE Nifty 50 ended at 25,643, slipping 133 points or 0.52%, with IT and metals dragging while consumer stocks provided some support. Bank Nifty hovered near 60,064, down 0.29%, facing resistance at 60,474-60,530 amid cautious banking sentiment ahead of RBI’s MPC outcome.
Investor sentiment remains mixed but tilted positive due to FII inflows of ₹5,236 crore on February 3, signalling renewed confidence post-trade deal. Experts note high volatility, with Nifty oscillating in a 240-point range recently, but a hold above 25,750 could revive bullish trends.
Key Economic Drivers
India’s GDP growth forecast for CY2026 stands at 6.9%, upgraded by Goldman Sachs after US tariff cuts on Indian exports, narrowing the current account deficit to 0.8% of GDP. This boosts export-oriented sectors like textiles and engineering, directly linking to market upticks seen post-deal announcement.
CPI inflation remains benign, projected around 2% for FY2025-26, aided by cooling food prices and lower GST impacts, well within RBI’s 2-6% target. RBI repo rate is steady at 5.25% as of January 2026, following 125 bps cuts since February 2025 to spur growth; February 6 MPC decision could pause further easing amid stable inflation.
Unemployment eased to 4.7% in November 2025, with rural rates at 3.9% and urban at 6.5%, supporting consumption trends vital for market stability.
NIFTY Today
- Opening Indication: GIFT Nifty at 25,639, down 0.24%, signaling a flat-to-negative open on February 6 amid Asian weakness.
- Key Supports/Resistances: Immediate support at 25,500-25,400; resistance at 25,750-25,800. Break above 25,750 eyes 26,000.
- Volume & Breadth: Prior day saw 1,630 advancers vs 921 decliners on NSE, bullish bias despite volatility.
- Sector Cues: Autos and metals up, IT down 0.56%; FII/DII buying supports near-term momentum.
- Volatility Index: Elevated due to RBI policy and US tech rout spillover.
BSE Sensex vs Nifty 50 Trends February 2026
| Date | BSE Sensex Close | Change (Pts / %) | NSE Nifty 50 Close | Change (Pts / %) | Key Driver |
| Feb 2 | 81,666 | +944 / +1.17% | 25,088 | +263 / +1.06% | Broad buying post-rally |
| Feb 3 | 83,000 (est.) | + (rally) | 25,500 (est.) | + (rally) | US trade deal euphoria |
| Feb 4 | 83,818 | +78 / +0.09% | 25,776 | +48 / +0.19% | Consumer, oil gains offset IT |
| Feb 5 | 83,314 | -504 / -0.60% | 25,643 | -133 / -0.52% | IT selloff, profit booking |
| Feb 6 (pre) | 83,200 (est.) | Flat/lower | 25,600 (est.) | Flat/lower | GIFT Nifty cue, RBI wait |
Sensex lagged Nifty slightly due to heavier IT weightage, but both reclaimed key averages post-Budget selloff.
Latest News Highlights Update (Feb 6, 2026)
RBI MPC decision pending today at 10 AM IST; repo rate expected steady at 5.25% with neutral stance amid 2% CPI, per economist consensus. India-US trade deal slashes tariffs to 18% on key exports (from 25%+), eliminating Russian oil-linked levies—FIIs infused ₹5,236 Cr on Feb 3, sparking 1%+ rally in exporters like textiles and auto ancillaries.
Q3 Earnings Breakdown:
- Bajaj Finance: Net profit fell 6% YoY to ₹3,978 Cr (missed est.); AUM +22% to ₹4.86 lakh Cr, but higher ECL provisions ₹1,406 Cr on labor codes/volatility; NII +21% to ₹11,317 Cr—pressure on NBFCs short-term.
- Trent: Steady Q3 momentum in retail expansion; +5% stock pop recently on consumer durables bid.
- Varun Beverages: Resilient FMCG play amid trade optimism.
- NTPC: Firm on green capex; power sector stable.
Geopolitical Tensions: US-Iran escalations intensify—Trump cancels talks, warns Khamenei; oil spikes ~3%, gold volatile (recent 26% correction offset by safe-haven bids). Adds risk premium, caps market upside.
IPO Buzz: Fractal Analytics IPO opens Feb 9 (₹857-900? est. band aligns with ₹2,800-3,000 Cr size, fresh ₹1,024 Cr + OFS); AI unicorn eyes $1.6B+ valuation post-SEBI nod—tech debut amid global AI hype.
Immediate Impacts:
- Trade deal: Multi-year re-rating for auto components, engineering (+order inflows); rupee steady, FII return boosts midcaps.
- RBI pause: Positive for banking (stable EMIs), bonds; no hike aids loan growth.
- Earnings: Mixed—financials resilient despite Bajaj dip; IT/pharma pressured.
- Geopolitics: Oil/gold volatility favors energy hedges; caution on defensives.
Markets brace for RBI verdict—flat open likely, watch Nifty 25,500 support.
Foreign Indices Movements
Global cues pressure Indian markets on February 6.
| Index | Level/Change | Impact on India |
| GIFT Nifty | 25,639 / -62 (-0.24%) | Muted open signal |
| Nikkei 225 | 53,461 / -357 (-0.66%) | Tech rout spillover to IT |
| Hang Seng | 26,885 / +38 (+0.14%) | Mild positivity for Asia |
| Straits Times | 4,976 / +10 (+0.21%) | Stable SEA flows |
| Dow Jones (prior) | Recent +14.5% YTD | Value rotation aids metals |
US tech selloff (AI competition fears) weighs on Nifty IT; Asian dip adds volatility pre-RBI.
Performance Overview
Top 10 Stocks to Buy for 2026
- HDFC Bank (P/E ~18, dividend 1.2%): Strong asset quality, digital growth; US deal aids trade finance.
- ICICI Bank (P/E 19): Earnings beat, low NPAs; banking sector triggers.
- ITC (P/E 25, yield 3%): FMCG expansion reduces cig reliance; steady cash flows.
- Bharat Electronics (BEL): Defence orders boom; order book >₹75,000 Cr.
- Mahindra & Mahindra (P/E 22): Auto/SUV demand, EV push.
- TCS (P/E 28): AI/cloud deals; global recovery.
- Trent (P/E 110+): Retail expansion; Q3 momentum.
- Apollo Hospitals: Healthcare tailwinds post-pandemic.
- Adani Ports: Infra capex, trade deal boost.
- Tata Steel: Metals rally on global demand.
Rationale: Low debt, growth sectors; PEG <1 for most amid 6.9% GDP.
Day's Top 10 Gainers & Losers (Feb 5/Recent)
| Top Gainers (NSE/BSE) | % Change | Analysis |
| Trent Ltd. | +2.8% | Consumer durables rally |
| Tata Steel | +1.0% | Metals rebound |
| Max Healthcare | +0.7% | Earnings positivity |
| JSW Steel | +0.7% | Sector rotation |
| ONGC | +0.6% | Oil stable |
| Jio Financials | +0.6% | Financials firm |
| Cipla | +0.6% | Pharma selective gains |
| Dr. Reddy's | +0.5% | US sales growth |
| Adani Ports | +0.5% | Trade deal |
| Grasim | +0.4% | Cement steady |
| Top Losers (NSE/BSE) | % Change | Analysis |
| Hindalco | -3.0% | Metals profit booking |
| Bharti Airtel | -1.7% | Telecom caution |
| Bharat Electronics | -1.7% | Defence valuation high |
| Kotak Mahindra | -1.5% | Banking rotation |
| Interglobe (Indigo) | -1.3% | Aviation fuel costs |
| Titan | -1.3% | Consumer discretionary dip |
| Shriram Finance | -1.3% | NBFC provisions |
| ITC | -1.2% | Mixed earnings |
| Axis Bank | -1.1% | Private banks lag |
| SBI Life | -1.1% | Insurance flat |
Sector Performance India 2026
| Sector | % Change (Recent) | MCap Change | Key Triggers (2026) |
| IT | -0.56% | +0.07% | US tech rout; AI competition |
| Banking/Financials | -0.42% | -₹38K Cr | Repo steady; trade finance |
| Pharma | -0.08% (Healthcare) | Flat | US generics; Q3 mixed |
| Consumer Goods | +0.26% (Durables) | +₹204 Cr | Discretionary bid; durables +2.66% |
| Oil & Gas | +2.08% | Positive | Stable crude |
| Metals | -1.05% | Negative | Global rotation |
Consumer durables lead amid trade optimism; IT lags on global fears. Fresh Q3 data shows financials firm.
Analysis and Recommendations
Markets eye RBI pause at 5.25% repo, supporting bonds but capping banking upside; US deal catalyzes exports, favoring midcaps over largecaps short-term. Volatility persists (Nifty range 25,400-25,800); favor quality amid 6.9% GDP, low 2% CPI.
Diversified Portfolios:
- Low Risk (Conservative): 40% Banks (HDFC/ICICI), 30% FMCG (ITC/Nestle), 20% Pharma (Cipla), 10% Gold ETF. Pros: Stable dividends (2-3%), inflation hedge. Cons: Lower growth (~12% CAGR). Earnings: Q3 steady.
- Moderate Risk (Balanced): 30% Financials, 25% IT (TCS), 20% Auto (M&M), 15% Metals (Tata Steel), 10% Consumer (Trent). Pros: GDP-linked growth (15-20%). Cons: Volatility from globals. Drivers: Trade deal, EV push.
- High Risk (Aggressive): 30% Midcaps (Adani Ports), 25% Defence (BEL), 20% Retail (Trent), 15% Energy (ONGC), 10% Chemicals. Pros: Multibagger potential (25%+). Cons: Earnings sensitivity. Triggers: Infra spend.
Stock Recommendations for Today (Feb 6, 2026)
Markets await RBI MPC at 10 AM IST—steady repo at 5.25% favored; focus quality amid volatility (Nifty support 25,500). Prices approximate pre-open; adjust post-policy.
- Buy HDFC Bank (~₹950): Strong asset quality, digital push; RBI pause aids NIMs (est. 4.2%). Target ₹1,050-1,157 short-term (12% upside), longer ₹2,168+ on 6.9% GDP. P/E ~18x FY27E; hold support ₹940.
- Buy Tejas Networks (~₹338): 5G/PLI tailwinds, BSNL orders; 260% YoY FY25 growth. Target ₹380-440 (13-30%), upside ₹1,100+ on exports. P/B 1.98x; stop-loss ₹320.
- Buy Bajaj Finance (~₹965): Q3 AUM +22% despite 6% PAT dip (provisions ₹1,406 Cr)—NII +21%. Consumption rebound, Jefferies PT ₹9,400. Target ₹9,000 long-term; buy dips >₹950.
- Buy Persistent Systems (~₹5,979): Q3 rev USD 422.5M (+17% YoY), AI platform AssistX; North America strength. Target ₹6,200-7,000 short, ₹8,787 EOY. Margin watch post-wage hikes.
- Accumulate Trent (~₹4,122): Q3 beats on 39% store sq ft growth (Zudio +48 outlets); emerging categories 21% rev. Antique PT ₹4,792. Momentum intact >₹4,000; target ₹4,800.
Avoid IT Majors (e.g., Wipro ~₹233): US drag, conservative guidance, margin pressures; Q2 flat growth. Target lower near ₹200s; prefer selective recovery plays.
Bank Nifty Watch: Bullish >60,530 (Fib 60,437); support 60,160-59,920. Post-RBI break signals direction—>60,538 eyes 61,159.
Risk Note: Geopolitics/oil volatility; diversify 2-3% allocation/stock. Not advice—DYOR.
Final Thought
February 2026 Indian stock market trends pivot on today's RBI MPC—repo steady at 5.25% amid 2% CPI, unlocking banking upside while Goldman Sachs' 6.9% GDP upgrade fuels export plays. US trade deal (18% tariffs) and FII ₹5,236 Cr inflows propel Nifty past 25,750; Trent (+retail), financials (HDFC/ICICI) outperform, IT lags on global drag—diversify across risk profiles for 15%+ CAGR potential.
Unique insights: Bajaj Finance resilient despite Q3 dip (AUM +22%), Fractal IPO signals AI heat; geopolitics caps gains—hedge with gold/oil. What's your top pick post-RBI? Share portfolio thoughts below—let's discuss 2026 winners!
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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.
