Scan to Download
Hello and welcome to NDTV Profit's market coverage!
India's benchmark Nifty and Sensex declined on the final session of February today, dragged by all counters barring IT. The Nifty 50 dipped below 25,200, breaching the support at 25,300. The Sensex tumbled over 1,000 points or 1.3%.
ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Bharti Airtel were the top drags on the Nifty. Broader market indices also fell sharply.
Elsewhere, Asian stocks had their best February on record as investors piled into the region's companies supplying the artificial intelligence infrastructure build-out. European equities edged higher on Friday, trading at new record highs. Futures on the S&P 500 were 0.2% lower after Thursday's selloff in chipmakers erased the gauge's gains for the week.
The rupee ended marginally lower against the dollar, but posted its first monthly gain in since October.
This live blog has ended. Thank you for joining and enjoy the weekend. See you on Monday!
US equity futures ticked lower after Thursday’s selloff in chipmakers erased the gauge’s gains for the week.
The Indian rupee ended 6 paise weaker at 90.98 against the dollar today, but posted its first monthly gain since October. The local currency appreciated 1.1% in February after the country agreed to a trade deal with the US.
FPIs have pumped Rs 25,044 crore or $2.76 billion in Indian equities this month, the first positive flow since October, supporting the INR.
India's benchmark equity indices ended sharply lower on the final session of February, extending a decline to a second week, weighed by financial and, energy and auto stocks. Information technology stocks, beaten down the most this month, extended gains to a third day.
The Nifty 50 settled 317 points or 1.25% lower at 25,178 and the BSE Sensex shed 960 points or 1.2% to 81,287.19.
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
Market expert Kush Bohra said the Nifty 50's support level has now shifted to 24,900.
"Now it appears time for further downside for the market. I am expecting it to reach 24,900-24,600 levels. Not looking good for the market and we can expect lower levels," he told NDTV Profit.
The Nifty's RSI is at 40.
First Source Solutions, Five Star Business, Emami, Coforge have touched 52-week lows.
Markets are under pressure due to a combination of factors weighing on sentiment. The impact of MSCI index adjustments is being felt in the closing trades, adding to volatility. At the same time, key long-term technical levels on the Nifty have been breached, triggering further weakness. A softer rupee is also contributing to the risk-off tone, while foreign institutional investors have resumed selling in the cash market. Additionally, several Nifty heavyweights continue to face an overhang, amplifying the overall decline in the indices.
The Nifty 50 has dipped below 25,200. The support for the session was seen at 25,300.
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
At a time when markets are grappling with AI disruption fears, range-bound indices and uncertainty around earnings revival, Kenneth Andrade, Founder and CIO of Old Bridge Mutual Fund, is making a decisive tactical call: he would hold no IT stocks if he were building a fresh portfolio today.
The view comes amid growing debate around AI-led job cuts globally, margin pressure in IT services and questions over how technology will reshape employment and long-term profitability. While not structurally bearish on the sector, Andrade said investors need to reassess terminal value assumptions and identify which businesses can truly compound over the next decade.
European equities edged higher on Friday, trading at new record highs and capping a week marked by robust corporate earnings, AI-related jitters, persistent Middle East tensions, and renewed US trade policy uncertainty on a firm footing. The EURO STOXX 50 rose 0.4% to 6,180 points, gaining 0.8% on the week and notching its third advance in four weeks. The index is up nearly 4% in February, on track for its eighth consecutive monthly increase.
Pharma major Lupin has received a Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI) classification from the US FDA for its Goa manufacturing unit, following a detailed inspection conducted between November 10 and November 21, 2025. The regulator has issued the facility an Establishment Inspection Report (EIR), confirming satisfactory compliance and indicating that while observations may have been made, no further regulatory action is required.
The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea filed by SpiceJet Ltd and its chairman Ajay Singh challenging a January 19 order of the Delhi High Court directing the airline to deposit Rs 144.5 crore in its protracted arbitration dispute with Kalanithi Maran and KAL Airways Pvt Ltd.
Astra Microwave Products Ltd. board on Friday gave an in-principal to demerge the Space, Meteorology and Hydrology business undertakings into a separate entity. The company said the move will enable a focused management attention and operational efficiency by creating an independent company exclusively dedicated to these emerging business, besides unlocking value for shareholders.
Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) has announced a Rs 2,000 crore investment in its beauty and personal care (BPC) portfolio over the next two years, marking one of its most aggressive capacity expansion phases in recent years. The move signals a strategic pivot toward premium, higher-margin categories even as the broader FMCG sector navigates uneven demand trends.
Historically, HUL's annual capital expenditure has hovered between 1.5% and 2.5% of revenue. This fresh commitment suggests a more concentrated allocation strategy - fewer but significantly larger bets - aimed at strengthening manufacturing capabilities in high-value segments.
The Omnitech Engineering IPO was subscribed 21% as of 12:30 p.m., as per BSE data.
The India rupee is flat against the dollar today, but on course to post its first monthly gain since October. The local currency appreciated 1.1% in February after the country agreed to a trade deal with the US.
Furthermore, FPIs have pumped Rs 25,044 crore or $2.76 billion in Indian equities this month, the first positive flow since October.
Kirloskar Brothers bagged an order worth Rs 214 crore from Adani Power to supply pump packages.
Source: Exchange Filing
Indian markets faced intense pressure during Friday's trade, with the Nifty 50 sinking nearly 1%. All sectors, barring IT and Media, are trading in the red, with Nifty Realty falling almost 1.5%.
Tejas Networks shares extended rally to a third day.
Gaudium IVF listed at Rs 83 on the NSE and BSE, a premium of 5% over the IPO price of Rs 79.
This was the sixth listing of 2026.
The IPO was subscribed 7.27 times, with strong retail participation. The total public issue size stands at Rs 165 crore.
Shares of Vishal Mega Mart Ltd. fell over 7% on Friday after seven block deals which saw 14% equity change hands.
The floor price for the block deal has been set at Rs 115, which is a 10% discount to the previous close. The total size of the block deal is estimated to be around Rs 3,508 crore, sources told NDTV Profit. There will also be 150 days lock-in on the remaining stake.
Gaudium IVF at Rs 83 in pre-open window on NSE and BSE, a premium of 5% over the IPO price of Rs 79.
Midcap and Smallcap indices declined just as their blue-chip peers. The Nifty Midcap 150 and Smallcap 250 was down 0.5%
The benchmark Nifty 50 index is just a few points away from the immediate support at 23,550.
The relative strength index (RSI) is at 44.
The Nifty Bank was down 0.4%. Here are the top movers:
The Nifty IT index jumped 2.5% soon after market open, extending rally to a third day.
Here are the Nifty IT performance:
India's benchmark Nifty and Sensex opened lower on the final session of February today, dragged by Reliance Industries, Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank. The Nifty 50 dropped 0.14% to open at 25,459.85 and the BSE Sensex started at 82,220.
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
_27_February_26.png)
The yield on the benchmark 10-year government bond opened flat at 6.7%.
The government will release fiscal deficit data for April to January today. The RBI will conduct government bond auctions and release weekly foreign exchange data today.
The benchmark Nifty 50 was unchanged around 25,470.
The rupee opened 3 paise weaker at 90.95 against the US dollar. The dollar index was down.
Starting today, the scrip code of LTIM on NSE will change to LTM.
The board had approved a proposal to change the company's name to LTM Ltd., effective Feb. 11. The rebranding marks the next phase of evolution for the tech major, which had previously adopted the LTIMindtree identity in November 2022, following the merger of Larsen & Toubro Infotech (LTI) and Mindtree—both subsidiaries of Larsen & Toubro Ltd.
The immediate resistance zone for Nifty 50 is placed between 25,600 and 25,650, while support is observed in the 25,300–25,350 range, according to Choice Broking. The RSI reading of 47.11 reflects neutral momentum.
With price action stuck in a sideways band and no decisive breakout yet, the index continues to consolidate rather than trend. A sustained move beyond either support or resistance will likely define the next directional leg.
Brokerage firms and market analysts issued fresh trading ideas for today's session with opportunities across banking, metal, auto and energy counters. Most experts expect continued momentum in large-cap and mid-cap stocks. Here are the key intraday and short-term picks recommended by top analysts.
Gaudium IVF & Women Health: Gaudium IVF will make its debut on the stock exchanges on Friday. The IPO of the fertility services provider received 7.27 times subscription on the final day of share sale on Tuesday.
Oil markets steadied on Friday as traders digested news that the United States and Iran will continue indirect nuclear negotiations next week, even as geopolitical tensions linger over a possible military confrontation in the Middle East.
Brent crude futures traded just under $71 a barrel, while US benchmark West Texas Intermediate hovered above $65, little changed from the previous session.
Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Services announced a deal with Chennai Super Kings Cricket team to offer the Zaggle Corporate Expense cards to CSK employees and associates.
Source: Exchange Filing
Here are the key outcomes of the MSCI February 2026 index review:
As per the update, India’s weight in the MSCI Standard Index has increased to 14.10%. The number of Indian stocks in the Standard Index has risen to 165 from 164, while the count in the MSCI Smallcap Index has declined to 480 from 508. The changes are expected to result in index-related flows today.
In the MSCI Standard Index review, Aditya Birla Capital and L&T Finance are expected to see significant inflows of $257 million and $238 million, respectively, following their inclusion in the index. On the other hand, IRCTC is set to be excluded, with estimated outflows of $141.6 million. AU Small Finance Bank is expected to receive inflows of about $172 million due to a float-adjusted increase in its index weight.
Separately, several stocks have been added to the MSCI Smallcap Index. These include Premier Energies, NSDL, Emcure Pharma, JSW Cement, Ashapura Minechem, Canara HSBC Life Insurance, and Thyrocare Technologies, according to data sourced from MSCI and Nuvama Alternative & Quantitative Research.
CLSA has initiated coverage on the automotive giant with an "Outperform" rating and a bold target price of Rs 673, implying a massive 40% potential upside from current levels.
According to the latest report, the company is entering a "sweet spot" of a cyclical upswing that spans both Indian and European markets, driven by fleet replacement cycles and shifting emission norms.
Asian markets traded mixed Friday, after Wall Street stocks declined overnight as Nvidia shares tumbled despite a quarterly earnings beat. Japan’s Nikkei 225 slid 0.6%, while the Topix traded flat.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
