Midcap & Smallcap Indices Down Over 1 per cent, Nifty & Sensex Down By Over 0.25 per cent

The Nifty 50 is down 0.35 per cent at 22,878.60, and the Sensex has declined by 0.26 per cent to reach 75,799.49.

Market Update 1:10 PM: Indian equity markets are trading in the red in afternoon trade. Benchmark indices have extended their losses, and broader market indices are down over 1 per cent. The Nifty 50 is down 0.35 per cent at 22,878.60, and the Sensex has declined by 0.26 per cent to reach 75,799.49.  

Broader market indices are under significant pressure. The Nifty Midcap 150 has decreased by 1.21 per cent to 18,186.05, and the Nifty Smallcap 250 has fallen by 2.01 per cent to 14,177.65.  

Market volatility has seen some moderation, with the India VIX at 15.82, up 0.58 per cent.

Sectorally, most indices are in negative territory. Nifty IT (0.49 per cent) is the only sector showing some gains. Conversely, Nifty Consumer Durables (-1.88 per cent), Nifty Media (-1.38 per cent) and Nifty Auto (-1.29 per cent) are the leading sectoral laggards.

Within the Nifty 50, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and Apollo Hospitals are among the top performers. BEL, Trent and M&M are the major draggers.

Market breadth is strongly negative, with 456 advances and 2,263 declines, indicating bearish sentiment prevailing among investors.

Market Update 9:45 AM: Indian equity markets are experiencing a bearish trend in early-morning trade. Benchmark indices have slipped into negative territory, and broader market indices are witnessing significant losses. The Nifty 50 is down 0.19 per cent at 22,917.00, and the Sensex has declined by 0.07 per cent to reach 75,944.87.  

Broader market indices are facing significant pressure. The Nifty Midcap 150 has decreased by 0.86 per cent to 18,249.65, and the Nifty Smallcap 250 has fallen by 1.31 per cent to 14,279.25.  

Market volatility has increased, with the India VIX up 1.74 per cent to 16.00.

Sectorally, most indices are in the red. Nifty IT (0.85 per cent) is the only sector showing gains. Conversely, Nifty Metal (-1.25 per cent), Nifty PSU Bank (-1.23 per cent) and Nifty Realty (-1.08 per cent) are the leading sectoral laggards.

Within the Nifty 50, Tech Mahindra, Wipro and Apollo Hospitals are among the top performers. Grasim Industries, Tata Steel and IndusInd Bank are the major draggers.

Market breadth is strongly negative, with 533 advances and 1,864 declines, indicating bearish sentiment prevailing among investors.

Market Update 8:15 AM: U.S. stock markets remained shut on Monday in observance of the Presidents Day holiday.

Asian equities traded mixed ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy announcement, while European markets saw gains, led by a rally in defense-related stocks on Monday.

The GIFT Nifty was trading flat, signaling a subdued opening for Indian equities. At around 7:10 AM IST, Nifty futures were hovering at 23,006.00.

Indian stock markets managed to break their eight-day losing streak, ending slightly higher in a choppy session on February 17, as gains in pharma, metal, and financial stocks provided support. The Sensex gained 57.65 points or 0.08 per cent to close at 75,996.86, while the Nifty inched up 30.25 points or 0.13 per cent to settle at 22,959.50.

U.S. Treasury yields saw mixed movement, with the 10-year yield climbing 56 basis points to 4.5 per cent, while the 2-year yield remained unchanged at 4.26 per cent.

The U.S. dollar hovered near a two-month low at 106.83, as investors assessed tariff concerns and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate trajectory. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar held near its two-month high, despite growing expectations of an imminent rate cut.

WTI crude oil futures slipped to approximately USD 71.2 per barrel on Tuesday but retained most of their previous session’s gains. Oil prices remained supported by reports that OPEC+ is considering delaying planned monthly supply hikes set to begin in April, even as President Donald Trump pushed for lower prices.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their selling streak, offloading equities worth Rs 3,937 crore on February 17. On the other hand, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) were net buyers, purchasing stocks worth Rs 4,759 crore on the same day.

Deepak Nitrite and Manappuram Finance are under F&O ban today.

Disclaimer: The article is for informational purposes only and not investment advice.