Stocks Surge Again as Bank and IT Sectors Lead Gains
Stock markets experienced significant upward movement for the second consecutive session on February 17, 2026. Gains were primarily fueled by the bank, IT, and capital goods sectors.
Market Performance Overview
The 30-share BSE Sensex rose by 173.81 points, or 0.21%, closing at 83,450.96. Throughout the trading day, the index fluctuated between a peak of 83,598 and a low of 82,987.43. Meanwhile, the 50-share NSE Nifty increased by 42.65 points, or 0.17%, to finish at 25,725.40.
Key Gainers and Losers
- Major Gainers: ITC, Bharat Electronics Ltd., Larsen & Toubro, Infosys, Asian Paints, Titan, Adani Ports, HCL Technologies, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Maruti Suzuki India, IndiGo, State Bank of India, Tech Mahindra.
- Major Losers: Eternal, Tata Steel, Trent, Reliance Industries, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, Axis Bank, Bharti Airtel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Hindustan Unilever.
Broader Market Indices
The BSE Smallcap Select Index saw an increase of 0.49%, and the Midcap Select Index gained 0.26%. This indicates a positive trend in broader market performance.
International Market Influence
In the Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei 225 index closed 0.47% lower. Meanwhile, Chinese, Hong Kong, and South Korean markets were closed in observance of the Lunar New Year holidays. European markets were trading positively during mid-session deals. The U.S. equity market was closed on February 16 due to Presidents’ Day.
Investor Activities
Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth ₹972.13 crore on February 16. In contrast, domestic institutional investors bought stocks valued at ₹1,666.98 crore, according to exchange data.
Commodity Market Insights
The price of Brent crude, a key global oil benchmark, decreased by 0.79%, reaching $68.13 per barrel. This fluctuation in oil prices can impact various sectors, including banking and IT.
Previous Trading Session Recap
On February 16, the BSE Sensex soared by 650.39 points, closing at 83,277.15. The NSE Nifty also saw a substantial increase of 211.65 points, finishing at 25,682.75.
Overall, the upward momentum in stock markets, particularly in the bank and IT sectors, reflects investor confidence and positive trading conditions.
