Indian Market Week: Recovery Amid Turbulence
The Indian stock market played a high-stakes tug-of-war during the week ending 20 February 2026, with the Sensex and Nifty 50 rebounding from midweek declines thanks to strong buying in banking, metal, and power stocks. Infrastructure and consumption sectors acted as steady anchors, while technology shares struggled, testing investor patience. Foreign investors sold ₹935 crore, but domestic buyers jumped in with ₹2,637 crore, showing local capital’s resilience.
Rising crude prices and geopolitical uncertainties added spice, driving traders to keep a close eye on commodities like gold, silver, and copper. The week was a suspenseful rollercoaster for investors, forcing quick decisions: take profits, hold steady, or ride the market upturn. Ultimately, it was a thrilling reminder of the unpredictable excitement that comes with trading Indian equities.
Stock Market On Friday, 20 February: Keeping Up The Spirit After Loosing it All
The Indian stock market experienced a recovery on Friday, February 20, 2026, providing investors with relief after the decline seen in the previous trading session. The benchmark indices rebounded as traders resumed buying activity, particularly in banking, metal, and power stocks that had earlier fallen in value. The Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India reflected positive momentum, leading to moderate market optimism, though the broader trend still requires careful evaluation. As the market returned to green territory, investors once again faced the classic dilemma- whether to book immediate profits or hold their positions to benefit from a potential continued uptrend.
BSE Sensex
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Opened lower but staged a strong recovery during the session.
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Rebounded nearly 925 points from its intraday low.
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Opening Value: 82,272.49
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Closing Value: 82,814.71 (+316.57 points)
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Intraday High / Low: 83,132.08 / 82,206.21
NSE Nifty 50
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Started the session in the red but regained momentum later in the day.
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Climbed back above the 25,550 mark by the closing bell.
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Opening Value: 25,406.55
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Closing Value: 25,571.25
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Intraday High / Low: 25,663.55 / 25,379.75
Sensex Rollercoaster: Daily Openings and Closings From February 19-20, 2026
The market told its story across five sessions, showing three phases of trading between February 16 and February 18, followed by a sudden disturbance on February 19 and a recovery on February 20. The Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India presented investors with contrasting conditions, creating both fear and opportunity, as shifting equity momentum influenced trader behavior.
| Date | Opening Value | Closing Value | Net Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb 2026 (Mon) | 82,480.40 | 83,277.15 | +650.39 (0.79%) |
| 17 Feb 2026 (Tue) | 83,197.67 | 83,450.96 | +173.81 (0.21%) |
| 18 Feb 2026 (Wed) | 83,553.59 | 83,734.25 | +283.29 (0.34%) |
| 19 Feb 2026 (Thu) | 83,969.82 | 82,498.14 | -1,236.11 (1.48%) |
| 20 Feb 2026 (Fri) | 82,272.49 | 82,814.71 | +316.57 (0.38%) |
Nifty 50’s Weekly Rollercoaster: Opening Highs, Friday Lows From February 16-20, 2026
This table reads like a mini market drama-steady confidence, a sudden shock on February 19, and a cautious comeback on February 20. Were investors panic-selling or bargain-hunting? The week hints at both. As trends shift quickly, the real question is: ride the volatility or wait for clearer signals?
| Date | Opening Price | Closing Price | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb (Mon) | 25,423.60 | 25,682.75 | +0.83% |
| 17 Feb (Tue) | 25,637.95 | 25,725.40 | +0.17% |
| 18 Feb (Wed) | 25,752.65 | 25,819.35 | +0.37% |
| 19 Feb (Thu) | 25,873.35 | 25,454.35 | -1.41% |
| 20 Feb (Fri) | 25,406.55 | 25,571.25 | +0.46% |
Sectoral Winners & Losers: Who Surfed the Waves and Who Sank
Sectoral action turned into a market mood swing. Banks and metals flexed their strength as bargain hunters stepped in, while IT and media took a breather under global pressure. Small caps stayed cautious. The takeaway for investors? The market didn’t fall silent- it simply changed the playlist.
| Category | Sector | Change | Key Stocks / Drivers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Nifty PSU Bank | +1.68% | State Bank of India, Indian Bank | Hit new all-time high at 9,691; strong value buying |
| Winner | Nifty Metal | +1.13% | Hindalco (+3.21%), Tata Steel | Infrastructure optimism boosted metal stocks |
| Winner | Nifty Bank | +0.71% | ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank | Recovery supported by stabilising bond yields |
| Winner | Nifty FMCG | +0.37% | Hindustan Unilever (+1.71%) | Defensive buying supported the sector |
| Loser | Nifty IT | -0.98% | Infosys (-1.28%), Tech Mahindra (-1.03%) | Pressure from U.S. tech spending concerns and global sell-off |
| Loser | Nifty Media | -0.60% | Zee Entertainment, Sun TV | Profit-booking dragged the sector |
| Loser | Nifty Smallcap 100 | -0.11% | Broad small-cap segment | Investors shifted toward large-cap safety |
Top Weekly Gainers & Losers
The Indian stock market experienced a week of emotional fluctuations ending on 20 February 2026, as it first dropped, then recovered, and finally closed with minor gains. The market remained relatively stable during periods of increased volatility because infrastructure and consumption stocks acted as support pillars. The IT sector, however, disrupted market sentiment by making investors more risk-averse. The week presented traders and investors with a familiar situation: choosing either to buy during market dips or to observe the recovery process.
Top Weekly Gainers (Nifty 50)
- Larsen & Toubro (+6.0%) – Strong rebound driven by large order inflows and strategic tech partnership optimism.
- ITC (+7.0%) – Sharp recovery after early-week decline; strong buying interest returned.
- Bajaj Finance (+4.0%) – Gains supported by positive outlook on credit growth.
- Power Grid (+4.3%) – Defensive PSU buying remained strong.
- Coal India (+3.4%) – Institutional accumulation supported steady upside.
Top Weekly Losers (Nifty 50)
- Eternal (Zomato) (-10.6%) – Biggest weekly decline due to heavy profit booking.
- Tech Mahindra (-6.0%) – Weak IT demand outlook weighed on performance.
- Infosys (-6.0%) – AI transition concerns triggered selling pressure.
- Mahindra & Mahindra (-5.0%) – Profit booking after recent rally.
- Kwality Wall’s (~-10.0%) – Post-listing volatility kept the stock under pressure.
Broader Market Highlights
- Small & Midcaps: Continued mild weakness reflecting a risk-off sentiment.
- Sectoral Standout: PSU banking stocks outperformed, ending the week at record highs.
Stock Market Major Event This Week
This week, the markets experienced extreme fluctuations, causing investors to experience both disappointment and joy. The US Supreme Court’s tariff overturning functioned as an acceleration mechanism, propelling India’s Gift Nifty index to a 400-point increase. The US-led Pax Silica alliance, which India joined, brought technological excitement because India now competes in the advanced semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries. Foreign Institutional Investors sold their holdings worth ₹935 crore to Domestic Investors, who purchased ₹2,637 crore of shares, thus creating financial superheroes. The increasing US-Iran conflict caused crude oil prices to rise, resulting in a spike of the India VIX because market observers enjoy watching suspenseful market movements.
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US Tariff Reversal Boosts Global Mood: A major US Supreme Court ruling rolled back broad global tariffs, triggering optimism across markets. India’s Gift Nifty surged nearly 400 points from its lows on the positive global cue.
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India Joins “Pax Silica” Alliance: Investor confidence improved after India formally entered the US-led Pax Silica coalition with Japan and South Korea, focusing on semiconductor and AI supply-chain security.
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FII Selling Continues, DIIs Support Market: Foreign Institutional Investors remained net sellers, offloading ₹935 crore in equities, while Domestic Institutional Investors provided strong support with net buying of ₹2,637 crore.
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Geopolitical Tensions Keep Volatility High: Rising US-Iran tensions pushed crude oil to six-month highs and lifted the India VIX by 7%, keeping market sentiment cautious.
Global Stock Market: Wall Street in a Whirlwind- The AI Re-Rating Frenzy
The stock market experienced extreme fluctuations during the previous week, concluding with investors celebrating their success after ending a multi-week losing streak. The Supreme Court’s tariff reversal created an explosive market effect, causing international and trade-dependent companies to see significant gains. Early in the week, the market faced opposing forces as traders worried about artificial intelligence expenses and international conflicts.
The stock market experienced a complete turnaround as technology stocks returned to previous levels, while energy and industrial shares advanced due to rising oil prices and unprecedented order volumes. The week left investors asking: should I celebrate gains, hold tight, or hedge bets? The relationship between market fluctuations and temporary recoveries has reached an unmistakable point.
Weekly Index Performance
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S&P 500: 6,909.51 | +1.1% – Rebounded as dip-buyers stepped in at crucial levels.
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Nasdaq Composite: 22,886.07 | +1.5% – Snapped a 5-week losing streak; led by tech recovery.
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Dow Jones: 49,625.97 | +0.3% – Gained modestly despite pressure from industrials.
Sector & Stock Highlights
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Tech Rebound: Nvidia, Oracle bounced; smaller AI-focused names saw rotation.
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Energy & Industrials: Rising oil prices lifted energy stocks; industrial giants reported record order inflows.
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Bond Market: Treasury yields rose, reflecting hawkish Fed minutes and resilient growth data.
Global Market Performance (Weekly & Friday)
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S&P 500 (US):
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Friday Close: 6,909.51
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Friday Change: +0.7%
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Weekly Change: +1.1%
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Key Driver: Best week since early January; tariff relief.
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Nasdaq (US):
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Friday Close: 22,886.07
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Friday Change: +0.9%
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Weekly Change: +1.5%
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Key Driver: Snapped a 5-week losing streak.
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Stoxx Europe 600:
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Friday Close: 627.00
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Friday Change: +0.2%
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Weekly Change: +2.1%
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Key Driver: Hit new record highs; strong earnings outlook.
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Nikkei 225 (Japan):
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Friday Close: 56,825.70
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Friday Change: -1.1%
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Weekly Change: +6.0%
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Key Driver: Weekly record high after ruling party victory.
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Kospi (South Korea):
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Friday Close: 3,124.00*
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Friday Change: +2.3%
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Weekly Change: Record High
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Key Driver: Defense stocks rallied; tracked Wall Street gains.
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Sensex (India):
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Friday Close: 82,814.71
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Friday Change: +0.38%
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Weekly Change: +0.2%
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Key Driver: Rebounded from mid-week lows; banking led gains.
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Weekly Commodity Snap: Commodities Surge- Gold, Silver, and Copper Rally Amid Tariff Relief and Geopolitical Tensions
| Commodity | Friday Close | Weekly Change | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | $5,010.50 /oz | +3.4% | Inflation data & weaker USD |
| Silver | $48.20 /oz | +11.2% | Top performer; post-tariff rally |
| Brent Crude | $71.85 /bbl | +2.1% | US-Iran tensions & supply fears |
| Copper | $4.15 /lb | +4.8% | Pax Silica & infrastructure demand |
| Natural Gas | $2.88 /MMBtu | -5.4% | Warmer weather forecasts in US/EU |
Monday Mood On Dalal Street: Cautious Optimism Amid Tariff Tensions
The Indian markets are set to open Monday with cautious optimism after a rollercoaster week ending February 20, 2026. The Sensex and Nifty 50 rebounded on Friday thanks to strong domestic buying in banking, metals, and power stocks, while IT shares lagged. Local investors are keeping the market afloat, even as foreign investors continue selling.
Global cues are mixed. Rising US-Iran tensions have pushed crude prices higher, lifting the India VIX and signaling caution. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s steadfast 10% global tariffs remain non-negotiable, though a soft spot for India could benefit export-focused sectors. Commodities like gold, silver, and copper are expected to continue trending upward, adding extra spice to trading.
Investors face the classic Monday dilemma: ride post-weekend momentum, book quick profits, or wait for clearer signals. Price swings are likely, creating opportunities for quick decisions and strategic trades, making Monday another thrilling session on Dalal Street.
(With Inputs)
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Aishwarya is a journalism graduate with over three years of experience thriving in the buzzing corporate media world. She’s got a knack for decoding business news, tracking the twists and turns of the stock market, covering the masala of the entertainment world, and sometimes her stories come with just the right sprinkle of political commentary. She has worked with several organizations, interned at ZEE and gained professional skills at TV9 and News24, And now is learning and writing at NewsX, she’s no stranger to the newsroom hustle. Her storytelling style is fast-paced, creative, and perfectly tailored to connect with both the platform and its audience. Moto: Approaching every story from the reader’s point of view, backing up her insights with solid facts.
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