Stock Market Close: Nifty tops 25,800; Sensex up 283 pts in late rally; Metals, PSU Banks lift D-St
Sensex today | Stock Market Highlights, February 18, 2026: In the broader markets, Nifty MidCap 100 was up 0.5 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index closed 0.54 per cent higher
 "Stock Market LIVE, February 18, 2026")
Stock Market Highlights: Nifty and Sensex advanced for third straight session
Sensex today | Stock Market Highlights today, Wednesday, February 18, 2026: Indian equity markets staged another late-session rally on Wednesday, extending gains for a third consecutive session, led by metal and PSU bank stocks.
At market close, the BSE Sensex closed at 83,734.25, up 283.29 points or 0.34 per cent and NSE Nifty50 quoted 25,819.35, up 93.95 points or 0.37 per cent
In the Sensex basket, Tata Steel, ITC, Axis Bank, RIL, and M&M were leading the gains, rising up to 2.8 per cent. In contrast, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Eternal, Adani Ports, HCLTech, and TCS were among the top laggards, trading lower by up to 1.6 per cent.
In the broader markets, Nifty MidCap 100 was up 0.5 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index closed 0.54 per cent higher.
Meanwhile, the fear index India VIX, which gauges volatility in the markets, was down 3.5 per cent at close on Wednesday.
Among sectors, the Nifty Metal index advanced 1.33 per cent, the Nifty PSU Bank index gained 1.3 per cent, and the Nifty FMCG added 1.2 per cent. The Nifty IT index, meanwhile, slipped 1.23 per cent.
3:45 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Market expert's view
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Indian markets witnessed a late surge driven by broad‑based buying after a cautious start, as positive domestic sectoral cues helped offset lingering global uncertainties. Banking and financial stocks remained resilient on the back of steady asset‑quality expectations, while selective buying in FMCG names contributed to relative outperformance. In contrast, the IT sector continued to lag, weighed down by concerns over AI‑led disruption and margin pressures, which kept investor sentiment subdued. On the earnings front, the third-quarter (Q3FY26) results for the Nifty 500 were broadly in line with expectations, underscoring that while growth trends remain mixed, the domestic macro environment continues to offer medium‑term stability.
View by: Vinod Nair, head, research, Geojit Investments
View by: Vinod Nair, head, research, Geojit Investments
3:42 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Technical view
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Nifty 50 traded with a steady and mildly positive bias, firmly respecting the 25,645–25,660 support band, which coincides closely with the 20-day EMA. Strong buying interest from this zone initiated a gradual intraday uptrend, characterized by a sequence of higher highs and higher lows during the latter half of the session. This momentum eventually resulted in a breakout above the 25,800 resistance level. The Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD) remains in positive crossover territory, reinforcing the ongoing recovery momentum. However, price action indicates visible supply absorption in the 25,850–25,900 zone, which now stands as the immediate resistance hurdle.
On the downside, initial support is placed near 25,650, followed by a stronger demand base in the 25,600–25,550 range. As long as the index sustains above these levels, the broader bias remains mildly positive.
View by: Ponmudi R, CEO, Enrich Money,
On the downside, initial support is placed near 25,650, followed by a stronger demand base in the 25,600–25,550 range. As long as the index sustains above these levels, the broader bias remains mildly positive.
View by: Ponmudi R, CEO, Enrich Money,
3:41 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Sectoral indices at close
Stock Market LIVE Updates: The Nifty Metal index outperformed its peers with over 1 per cent gain.
3:39 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Broader markets at close
Stock Market LIVE Updates: The Nifty MidCap and the Nifty SmallCap indices ended 0.5 per cent and 0.54 per cent higher, respectively.
3:37 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Sensex contributors and detractors
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Kwality Walls India, Tata Steel, and ITC added to the Sensex.
3:34 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Sensex closes higher
Stock Market LIVE Updates: The Sensex closes 0.34 per cent or 283.29 points higher at 83,734.25.
3:33 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Nifty ends higher
Stock Market LIVE Updates: The Nifty ended 0.37 per cent or 93.95 points higher at 25,819.35.
3:19 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: SRF, Apar, Aeroflex see over 11-fold jump in volume
Stock Market LIVE Updates: SRF, Apar Industries and Aeroflex Industries were seen buzzing in Wednesday's trade on the back of heavy trading volume. BSE data showed that these 3 stocks witnessed over 10-fold jump in trading volume when compared with the two-week average volume on the exchange. READ MORE
3:11 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: Accord Transformer IPO opens Feb 23; GMP up 17%
Stock Market LIVE Updates: The initial public offering (IPO) of Accord Transformer & Switchgear, an electrical power and distribution equipment maker, will open for public subscription on Monday, February 23, 2026. Through its maiden share sale, the company seeks to raise ₹25.59 crore, which comprises a fresh issue of 5.6 million equity shares. READ MORE
3:02 PM
Stock Market LIVE Updates: 3 PM market update
Stock Market LIVE Updates: At 3:00 PM, BSE Sensex was at 83,641.04, up 191.02 points or 0.23 per cent and NSE Nifty50 quoted 25,816.40, up 90.10 points or 0.35 per cent.
Topics : Sensex Stock Market Today Gift Nifty Asia Markets US markets Nifty 50 SME IPOs IPOs Brent oil MARKET WRAP
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First Published: Feb 18 2026 | 7:59 AM IST