The Economic Times

Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) staged a sharp turnaround in early February, pumping Rs 19,675 crore into Indian equities in the first fortnight, supported by the US-India trade deal and easing global macro concerns.

Indias recent trade agreements signal a strategic shift toward competitiveness-led global integration. By improving tariff parity and market access with major economies, India is strengthening export visibility, funding its current account deficit sustainably, and positioning itself as a key participant in global manufacturing and services supply chains.

On the other hand, geopolitical risks are still high. Global risk indicators continue to show heightened concerns around interstate tensions and geoeconomic confrontation through 2026. Such uncertainty can keep volatility high in commodity marketseven if spot prices are taking a breather.

The index is attempting to fill last weeks downside gap, and the crucial support at the 200-DMA near 25,300 is likely to be tested in the near term, Jain added.

Nifty ended sharply lower as broad-based selling pushed the index below key technical levels, with volatility rising. Rupak De of LKP Securities warned of near-term weakness toward 25,000 unless resistance is reclaimed. Technical analysts suggested buying Kirloskar Oil Engines and Bajaj Finance on breakout patterns.

The combined market valuation of six of the top 10 valued firms eroded by more than Rs 3 lakh crore last week, with IT majors Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys emerging as the biggest laggards amid a bearish trend in equities.

Growws BSE Hospitals ETF targets Indias hospital segment, driven by domestic healthcare demand, insurance penetration and capacity expansion. CEO Varun Gupta says hospitals offer a pure-play, long-term structural growth opportunity, while balanced asset allocation across equities and precious metals remains essential.

Technical strategist Rupak De of LKP Securities warns that a break below the 20-day moving average has weakened Niftys near-term structure. Rising volatility and breached supports suggest downside risk toward 25,000 unless resistance levels are reclaimed, while selective opportunities remain in defence and banking stocks.

Retail investor participation shifted sharply in the December quarter, with several large-cap and PSU stocks seeing notable declines in individual shareholders. This analysis lists the ten companies with the steepest retail exits between September and December 2025, highlighting trends in investor behaviour amid changing market conditions and sector-specific sentiment shifts.

Analyst forecasts provide a strategic view of future market potential beyond headline numbers. This analysis highlights ten Nifty500 stocks identified using consensus estimates from Trendlyne, focusing on companies with sequential earnings growth, multi-analyst coverage, and strong upside potential over the next 12 months.

Brookfield Asset Management CEO Bruce Flatt emphasizes value investing for lasting wealth. He advises against chasing popular trends and instead focuses on identifying genuine value where others hesitate. Flatt prioritizes profitability and durable cash flows, especially in real assets like infrastructure and real estate.

A recent market analysis reveals that 13 penny stocks have experienced significant declines, with losses ranging from 15% to 55% over the past month. These underperforming stocks, characterized by low market capitalization and share prices, highlight the inherent risks associated with penny stock investments. Investors are cautioned about the volatility and potential for manipulation in this segment.

Indian stock markets face uncertainty this week. Key factors influencing trading include the ongoing IT sector selloff and potential rebounds. US inflation data and upcoming GDP figures will shape interest rate expectations. Foreign investor flows, the Rupee's movement against the Dollar, and technical chart patterns also play a crucial role. Geopolitical tensions add another layer of risk.

Indian markets experienced a negative week, with Nifty closing lower after failing to sustain early gains. Volatility increased as the index tested crucial support levels. While the medium-term uptrend remains, a corrective phase is evident. Investors are advised a cautious, stock-specific approach, awaiting decisive moves before fresh long positions.

OKX Ventures is backing a new RWA-backed stablecoin, signaling a move towards tokenized private credit. Meanwhile, DeepSnitch AI is gaining significant traction with its Web3-native Bloomberg Terminal, attracting substantial presale investment and whale participation, positioning it as a potential breakout crypto for 2026.

Anupam Rasayan India reported a 12% increase in net profit to Rs 61 crore for Q3 FY26, driven by a 31.35% rise in total revenue to Rs 512.44 crore. The company also announced a significant strategic development with the agreement to acquire US-based Jayhawk Fine Chemicals Corporation, strengthening its global presence and custom synthesis capabilities.

SEBI and NSDL are using auto-rickshaws across India for a public outreach campaign. This initiative aims to boost investor awareness and combat digital payment fraud. The campaign encourages investors to perform a 'SEBI Check' before making payments in the securities market. Over 1,000 auto-rickshaws are branded with QR codes linking to verification portals and educational resources.

GMR Airports Ltd. reported a 14% decline in consolidated profit after tax to Rs 173.96 crore for the December 2025 quarter, impacted by Rs 183.12 crore in one-time expenses. These included costs related to the termination of a pact with Celebi and the new labour laws. Despite this, total income surged to Rs 4,082.77 crore.

Southern Petrochemicals Industries Corporation Ltd announced a net profit of Rs 54.07 crore for the October-December 2025 quarter. This marks an increase from the previous year's Rs 38.50 crore. For the nine months ending December 31, 2025, net profits reached Rs 182.01 crore. The company's income from operations for the quarter was Rs 778.39 crore.

After back-to-back correction, the setup for Nifty has turned relatively cautious, with the index slipping below its 20DMA for the first time in the past few sessions. The 50-stock index is now trading below the key support level of 25,500, suggesting a weak near-term bias.

This slideshow highlights the top 10 companies that recorded the highest growth in retail shareholders during the period. Heres everything you need to know

A key change under the amendment is the shift toward fully secured funding for brokers. Going forward, only 100% secured funding will be permitted, with limited carve-outs such as intra-day settlement timing facilities.

Even as experts point to a potential turnaround in the broader smallcap space, a handful of companies continued to face sharp corrections.

Veteran investor Howard Marks emphasizes understanding market cycles over predicting turning points. In today's environment of high tech optimism and elevated valuations, he advises calibrating risk by gradually adjusting portfolios based on market signals. For Indian investors, this means focusing on selective stock picking and valuation discipline amidst strong structural growth.

Sir Martin Sorrell highlights that external threats, particularly from competitors and CFOs focused on efficiency, are driving rapid AI adoption in industries like autos and financial services. He advises young professionals to be adaptable, noting AI's potential to automate skill acquisition, and positions India as a key growth hub amidst global fragmentation and short-term business pressures.

In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin and Ethereum went up 3.73% and 5.51% respectively. Among the major altcoins, XRP, BNB, Solana, Tron, Dogecoin, Cardano, and Hyperliquid gained upto 8%. The global crypto market capitalisation edged down 3.52% to $2.36 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap.

On Friday, MCX silver futures for March 5, 2026 rose 3.62%, up Rs 8,564 to Rs 2,44,999 per kg. Gold futures for April also edged higher by Rs 305, or 0.2%, to Rs 1,56,200 per 10 grams.

As much as Rs 5.7 lakh crore evaporated from the sector in just eight trading sessions and the Nifty IT index crashed 19% in the short span. The selloff wasnt restricted to the two, IT bellwether plunged to its over 5-year low on Friday. Coforge, LTIMindtree, HCL Tech, and Mphasis also slipped up to 4%.

As of February 13, 2026, the total value of these holdings is approximately Rs 224 crore, down about 42% from Rs 390 crore in March 2025.

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.