The Economic Times

Bitcoin faces a critical juncture around the $60,000 mark. A break below this level could ignite significant market volatility. Options contracts and Bitcoin-backed loans are positioned to amplify downward pressure. Analysts warn of potential forced selling and cascading liquidations. This scenario could lead to a sharp price correction. Investors are closely watching this key price point for future movements.

The key mainboard issue to watch will be Gaudium IVF & Women Health, which will open for subscription on February 20 and close on February 24. The company is expected to list on BSE and NSE on February 27, with allotment likely to be finalised on February 25.

Markets anticipate a busy week. Walmart's results will offer clues on consumer spending. European miners' earnings will reflect commodity market volatility. Key economic indicators and UK data are due. Indonesia's central bank faces a crucial decision. Investors will closely watch global business activity surveys for future trends. Labour market and inflation data from the UK will also be significant.

Investors brace for AI disruption volatility as a market rotation emerges, with energy, consumer staples, materials, and industrials showing strength. Walmart's earnings and key economic data, including inflation figures, will be closely watched for insights into consumer spending and economic stability.

U.S. consumer prices rose less than anticipated in January, with the CPI increasing 0.2% monthly and 2.4% annually. This data suggests the Federal Reserve remains on track for interest rate cuts this year, despite some underlying inflationary pressures. Market reactions were mixed, with stocks flat to lower and Treasury yields slipping.

The India-US trade deal has significantly improved India's investment climate and export competitiveness, shifting the outlook for Indian equities to a decisive risk-on stance. With benchmark valuations below long-term averages, this reset creates headroom for multiple expansion alongside improving earnings visibility, particularly benefiting sectors like pharmaceuticals and gems.

Alphabet's recent $31.51 billion global bond sale highlights strong investor demand for AI hyperscalers, but raises concerns over a lack of investor protections. The century bond and similar offerings from tech giants like Oracle and Meta omit crucial covenants, potentially setting a precedent for future debt issuances.

The S&P 500, the Nasdaq and the Dow all declined for the week with technology stocks on a roller-coaster ride due to uncertainty about the extent to which profits could be disrupted due to AI competition and the hefty spending needed to support the technology.

Sebi chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey highlighted the dual nature of AI in securities market regulation, acknowledging its power for surveillance while warning of risks like opacity and bias. He emphasized the need for regulation to shift from supervising institutions to systems and technology, advocating for anticipatory, resilient markets.

India is becoming a key player in AI-driven financial innovation, according to LSEG CEO David Schwimmer. He highlighted the country's digital infrastructure and talent as crucial for transforming global capital markets. Schwimmer emphasized that data integrity is paramount for trusting AI outcomes and driving responsible adoption across the industry.

Madhusudan Kela, a seasoned investor, anticipates moderate market returns of 10-12%. He highlights that true wealth creation lies in discovering undervalued companies and emerging themes, particularly those leveraging AI for enhanced productivity. Kela views market fluctuations as opportunities for astute investors. He stresses the importance of backing resilient entrepreneurs and allowing compounding to build wealth over the long term.

Indian equity markets experienced a significant downturn, with the Nifty and Sensex falling 1.3% and 1.1% respectively for the week. A sharp selloff in IT stocks, triggered by AI disruption fears in the US economy and rapid job losses, led the decline. The IT index saw its steepest weekly losses in 10 months, wiping out substantial market value.

Uday Kotak, founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank, has been appointed as the new chairman of Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Company (GIFT City). He takes over from Hasmukh Adhia, who held the position since June 2023. Kotak's extensive experience in the financial services sector makes him a significant appointment for the development of GIFT City.

Five companies have received the green light from Sebi for their Initial Public Offerings. Premier Industrial Corporation, Virupaksha Organics, Hexagon Nutrition, Om Power Transmission, and Duroflex can now proceed with their public issues. These companies plan to raise significant capital through fresh share issuances and offers for sale, marking a key step in their growth plans.

Indian IT firms are adapting to new AI models that promise to revolutionize software development. Despite recent stock sell-offs, companies are investing in AI training and partnerships, ensuring their continued relevance. Strong deal wins and favorable valuations suggest a resilient future for the sector.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is proposing to review the base price and price bands for Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs). Currently, a fixed 20% price band is applied, which Sebi believes doesn't accurately reflect underlying volatility. The regulator aims to address issues with using T-2 day NAV and manual adjustments for corporate actions.

Infosys and Wipro ADRs surged despite a broader Nasdaq decline and weak domestic IT stocks. This resilience emerged as US inflation cooled to 2.4% in January 2026, potentially influencing Fed rate cut decisions. However, Indian IT stocks continue to face pressure from strong US employment data and AI-driven disruptions.

Wall Street is in the grip of disruption worries from AI. It first started with investors dumping shares of software companies but soon spread to sectors seen as vulnerable to automation, driving sharp losses in U.S. stocks this week.

U.S. interest rate futures on Friday raised odds of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve in June after a report that showed inflation rose less than expected in January.

Fortis Healthcare on Friday reported a 22 per cent year-on-year decline in consolidated profit after tax at Rs 197 crore in the third quarter ended December 2025.

Rivian's projection that its cheaper models would attract more buyers this year powered a near 20% stock jump on Friday, the latest sign of electric vehicle makers betting on affordable cars to revive sales after a key federal subsidy expired.

Consumer inflation in the United States cooled slightly more than expected in January, government data showed Friday, as energy prices dipped.

To boost ease of doing business, markets regulator Sebi on Friday proposed additional relaxations to reporting norms for stock brokers, including exempting certain demat accounts held by brokers who are also primary dealers from tagging requirements.

Wall Street's main indexes were muted on Friday, with communication services weighing as markets assessed softer-than-expected inflation data that kept Federal Reserve rate cut hopes intact.

BSE received Securities and Exchange Board of India approval to launch derivatives on the Focused Midcap Index. The product offers concentrated exposure to top 20 mid-sized firms via monthly futures and options, aligning with new single-expiry regulations.

National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange signed a long-term technology pact with Tata Consultancy Services to enter equity and derivatives trading. The 10-year deal will deploy a scalable, low-latency platform using TCS BaNCS and Quartz solutions to meet regulatory and market demands.

Morgan Stanley Investment Management is exploring shifting eight India healthcare assets into a continuation vehicle, targeting $500 million from investors. Investments include Omega Hospitals and RG Scientific, reflecting rising secondary-market activity, according to Jefferies Financial Group data.

Securities and Exchange Board of India approved IPO plans of Premier Industrial Corporation, Duroflex Limited, Virupaksha Organics, Hexagon Nutrition and Om Power Transmission. Issues include fresh equity and offer-for-sale components, with proceeds earmarked for expansion, capex, working capital and partial promoter exits.

Benchmark declines dragged the BSE Sensex sharply lower, with nine BSE 200 stocks hitting fresh 52-week lows. IT majors like Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys led losses, reflecting sustained selling pressure across technology and select defensive counters.

Britain's FTSE indexes were subdued on Friday, tracking a sombre mood globally in a week that was marked by AI-disruption worries, while defence stocks got a lift as investors priced in greater European cooperation that could boost the sector.

State-owned Engineers India Ltd (EIL) reported an over 3-fold on-year jump in net profit to Rs 302 crore for the third quarter ended December 31, 2025, driven by strong execution and higher revenues.

Realtors' body Naredco on Friday said the government should promote affordable home segment and provide incentives for development of rental accommodation to achieve Housing for All and boost growth of real estate sector.

U.S. existing home sales tumbled to the lowest level in more than two years in January as falling inventory raised house prices.

U.S. stock index futures were trading flat on Friday after an AI-led selloff, with investors staying on the sidelines ahead of inflation data that could provide more clarity on the Federal Reserve's rate-cut outlook.

Indian bond market participants say that the market will need further support, particularly via buybacks, to cool yields significantly, after government bonds surrendered the gains triggered by a surprise debt switch.

TCS, SpiceJet, Bajaj Finance, Wipro, HUL, Hindalco, Coforge, and Engineers India led Fridays market swings as IT, consumer, and energy stocks faced sharp volatility.

Senco Gold & Diamonds reported a strong 39% same-store sales growth in Q3 FY26, driven by robust festive and wedding demand and significant gold price appreciation. Despite a 3% dip in volumes, the company maintained customer engagement through budget-friendly jewelry options. Senco targets 18-20% annual growth, with FY26 revenues projected at 8,000 crore.

Hindustan Unilever Ltd secured approvals from BSE and National Stock Exchange of India to list demerged ice-cream arm Kwality Wall's on February 16. Shareholders receive one share per holding, creating Indias first pure-play listed ice-cream firm backed by The Magnum Ice Cream Company.

Ola Electric Q3 Results: Ola Electric narrowed Q3 losses to Rs 487 crore, with revenue down 55% to Rs 470 crore and deliveries falling to 32,680 units. The company cited a structural reset, improved operating leverage, completed capex, and a strong long-term growth outlook, targeting Rs 15,00020,000 crore in revenue over the coming years.

The Indian rupee was little changed on Friday as pressure from weak local stocks and elevated interbank dollar demand met likely central bank intervention to defend the currency, traders said.

European shares slipped on Friday, tracking a sombre global mood as uncertainties about artificial intGlobal Markets | European shares slip as AI-disruption worries, mixed earnings weigh lligence-related disruptions persisted, while investors also assessed mixed corporate earnings from companies such as Safran and L'Oreal. The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 0.3% at 616.58 points, as of 0821 GMT, and is now on track to end the week flat.

Despite a sharp IT selloff, Axis Direct backs HCL Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Persistent Systems, Coforge, and Bharti Airtel, citing strong deal wins, AI momentum, and earnings growth, projecting up to 67% upside across these conviction buys.

Historical data debunks the Friday-the-13th myth on Dalal Street. The Indian market closed higher in 9 of the last 16 such sessions (56.25%). Gains were notable at times: Nifty 50 jumped 4% on March 13, 2020, and rose about 1% on September 13 and December 13, 2019, as well as on August 13, 2021, and December 13, 2024. However, today Sensex and Nifty slipped 1%, dragged by IT stocks, erasing Rs 4.62 lakh crore in market value.

Market veteran Madhusudan Kela advises investors to focus on wealth creation and ignore market noise, viewing volatility as an opportunity. He emphasizes the importance of identifying resilient Indian entrepreneurs and the power of compounding for long-term gains, highlighting the growing role of domestic retail investors.

Indian IT stocks are experiencing panic selling, but experts see this as a buying chance. Artificial intelligence will not destroy the IT services sector. Instead, it will create new opportunities. Companies building AI infrastructure are poised for significant growth. Investors should look for quality assets at attractive prices as AI integration reshapes the technology landscape.

India is deepening its global trade ties, strengthening its long-term growth foundation. Yet markets move on earnings visibility and capital flows, creating short-term uncertainty. Rupee volatility and cautious FII behaviour are likely to keep equities unsettled in 2026. The shift toward a more market-driven currency improves credibility but adds near-term fluctuations. Investors should prioritise time horizons and disciplined allocation over reactive moves. Blending long-term equities with stab

Mutual funds poured into nine stocks in January 2026, with heavy share additions signaling strong institutional demand.

Info Edge Q3 Results: The company announced an interim dividend of Rs 2.40 per share for FY26 and fixed Friday, February 20, 2026, as the record date. The dividend will be paid on or after March 9, 2026.

Federal Realty Investment Trust forecast 2026 funds from operations above Wall Street expectations on Thursday, as it anticipates strong leasing demand and higher rentals for its grocery-anchored shopping centers