Sensex, Nifty Recover After Early Dip: Infosys & ITC Boost Markets
Indian indices rebounded after a shaky start, fueled by gains in key stocks.
Top Summary
- What happened: The Sensex and Nifty initially declined but recovered, closing in the green due to buying in specific stocks.
- Why it matters: Market volatility reflects global economic uncertainty and investor sentiment.
- What changes for people: Investors experience fluctuations in portfolio values, requiring careful monitoring.
- Who is affected: Traders, investors, and the broader Indian stock market are all affected.
Market Open: Initial Dip
Benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, witnessed a drop in early trade on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The 30-share BSE Sensex fell by 289.72 points to 82,987.43. The 50-share NSE Nifty declined by 112.45 points to 25,570.30.
Recovery Driven by Blue-Chip Stocks
The markets bounced back due to buying interest in blue-chip stocks like Infosys and ITC.
The BSE benchmark later quoted 116.08 points higher at 83,393.23, and the Nifty traded 12.90 points up at 25,695.65.
Top Gainers and Laggards
Among the Sensex constituents, major gainers included: Infosys, ITC, HCL Technologies, Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Tata Consultancy Services, IndiGo, Sun Pharmaceuticals, and Larsen & Toubro.
Conversely, the laggards were: Eternal, Tata Steel, ICICI Bank, Bajaj Finserv, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Reliance Industries, UltraTech Cement, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, and Mahindra & Mahindra.
Global Market Overview
In Asian markets, Japan's Nikkei 225 index traded nearly 1% lower. Markets in China, Hong Kong and South Korea remained closed for the Lunar New Year holidays.
The U.S. equities market also remained shut on Monday, February 16, 2026, due to Presidents' Day.
FII and DII Activity
Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold equities worth ₹972.13 crore on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) purchased stocks worth ₹1,666.98 crore, according to exchange data.
Crude Oil Prices
Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, fell 0.41% to $68.37 per barrel.
What to Watch Next
Investors will be closely monitoring global economic data releases and upcoming corporate earnings reports for further market direction. Any significant policy announcements from major economies could also influence market sentiment.