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Informist, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026

 

By Simran Rede

 

MUMBAI – Traders added more bearish bets in Nifty 50 derivatives even after the index rose as much as 0.8% during Friday's session. Although the 50-stock index recovered somewhat from Thursday's fall, analysts believe it faces strong resistance at 26000 points and would find it hard to go past this level in the coming week.

 

Investor sentiment improved slightly Friday on clearer signals on the proposed trade agreement with the US and India's entry into Pax Silica, which is expected to strengthen supply chain security in artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and critical minerals. The move comes amid efforts by the two countries to finalise the trade deal and move forward on other initiatives to solidify their ties.

 

Traders also wrote out-of-the-money put options, suggesting that the index may find a cushion if it falls in the near term. There was also likely to be some optimism among investors after US President Donald Trump Thursday gave 10 days' time to see whether his negotiators could reach a deal with Iran, analysts said.

 

After rising to over $72 per barrel, the Brent Crude April futures contract on the Intercontinental Exchange was down 0.5% at $71.34 per barrel at 1617 IST. India VIX, an indicator of volatility in the market, also rose Friday despite the market coming off Thursday's low. The fear gauge closed 6.7% higher at 14.3625, rising to its highest level in almost a month.

 

After the 50-stock index rose to its intraday high, investors took profits, which dragged it down again to close off the day's high. Friday, the Nifty 50 settled at 25571.25, up 116.90 points or 0.5%. The BSE Sensex closed at 82814.71, up 316.57 points or 0.4%. 

 

The 50-stock index is expected to meet resistance around 25750 points and find immediate support at 25500 points, Rishabh Srivastava, technical analyst at Lakshmishree Investment and Securities Pvt. Ltd., said. "Price action shows consolidation within this range, indicating indecision," Srivastava said. "A sustained move above 25750 points may trigger fresh buying momentum. However, a break below 25500 points could invite selling pressure in the short term."

 

Market participants will now focus on the minutes of the Reserve Bank of India's monetary policy meeting held earlier this month and its potential impact on the market.

 

--Nifty 50 February closed at 25584.70, up 138.70 points; 13.45-point premium to the spot index

--Nifty 50 March closed at 25741.00, up 141.00 points; 169.75-point premium to the spot index

--Nifty 50 April closed at 25897.50, up 136.30 points; 326.25-point premium to the spot index

 

HDFC Bank, Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, Infosys, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, ABB India, Tata Consultancy Services, Larsen & Toubro, Vodafone Idea, Kotak Mahindra Bank, InterGlobe Aviation, JSW Steel, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Steel, and Hindustan Unilever were the most actively traded underlying stocks Friday.  End

 

Edited by Rajeev Pai

 

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