Last Updated on February 18, 2026 7:27 pm by INDIAN AWAAZ
Wednesday’s session reflected steady bullish sentiment, driven by sector rotation into banks, metals, PSU banks and FMCG. With major macro triggers already priced in, the market is likely to remain driven by stock-specific earnings performance and sector-based opportunities in the coming sessions.
AMN / BIZ DESK
The Domestic equity market ended firmly in the green on Wednesday, February 18, supported by positive global cues and renewed buying in heavyweight stocks. After a cautious start, markets gained momentum in the second half, reflecting improving investor sentiment and selective accumulation across sectors.
The BSE Sensex rose 283 points (0.34%) to close at 83,734.25, while the Nifty 50 climbed 94 points (0.37%) to settle at 25,819.35, marking the third consecutive session of gains.
Broader markets also participated in the rally, indicating that buying interest was not limited to large-cap names alone. The BSE 150 MidCap Index ended higher by 0.50%, while the BSE 250 SmallCap Index gained 0.39%.
Adding to investor cheer, overall market wealth jumped sharply. The market capitalisation of BSE-listed companies rose to nearly ₹472 lakh crore, up from ₹470 lakh crore, meaning investors gained around ₹2 lakh crore in a single trading session.
Why Did the Market Rise Today?
Market experts believe the rise was driven mainly by late-session buying in heavyweight stocks. With major domestic events such as the Union Budget, RBI policy decision, and most Q3 earnings announcements already behind, the market is now shifting into a phase of stock-specific and sector-specific movement.
According to market commentary, banking and financial stocks remained strong, supported by stable asset quality expectations, while FMCG shares also attracted buying, helping the indices end higher despite global uncertainty.
Sector-Wise Market Performance
1. Banking & Financials: Strong Support Base
- Nifty Bank gained 0.62% to close at 61,550.80
- Nifty Financial Services also rose 0.62%
Investors continued to show confidence in banking stocks due to stable credit outlook and manageable asset-quality expectations.
2. Metals: Strongest Sector Performer
- Nifty Metal surged 1.33%
Metal stocks saw strong buying, with traders betting on demand recovery and better global commodity sentiment.
3. PSU Banks: Rally Continues
- Nifty PSU Bank rose 1.31%
PSU lenders remained among the top sectoral gainers, reflecting continued momentum in government-backed banking plays.
4. FMCG: Defensive Buying Returns
- Nifty FMCG gained 1.21%
Buying in FMCG names provided stability and defensive strength to the market.
5. IT: Only Sector in the Red
- Nifty IT declined 1.23%
IT stocks faced profit booking, with heavyweights dragging the sector down.
Top Nifty Gainers (Biggest Winners)
Out of 50 Nifty stocks, 31 ended in the green. The top gainers were:
- Kwality Wall’s (India): +4.94%
- HDFC Life: +3.37%
- Tata Steel: +2.93%
- ITC: +2.15%
- Bajaj Auto: +1.56%
Top Nifty Losers (Biggest Draggers)
The biggest losers included:
- Wipro: -1.73%
- Eternal: -1.47%
- Adani Enterprises: -1.41%
- Infosys: -1.26%
- Tech Mahindra: -1.25%
Most Active Stocks
The most traded counters by volume were:
- Easy Trip Planners: 71.10 crore shares
- Vodafone Idea: 35.90 crore shares
- Filatex Fashions: 12.5 crore shares
Market Breadth: Advancers Beat Decliners
The market breadth remained positive:
- Over 2,200 stocks advanced
- Over 1,900 stocks declined
This suggests a healthy, broad-based rally, not limited to just a few index heavyweights.
Wednesday’s session reflected steady bullish sentiment, driven by sector rotation into banks, metals, PSU banks and FMCG. With major macro triggers already priced in, the market is likely to remain driven by stock-specific earnings performance and sector-based opportunities in the coming sessions.
Disclaimer: This NEWS REPORT is purely for informational purposes and should not be considered investment advice from us. Please consult with a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.