Market recovers, Sensex up 317 pts,Nifty at 25,571

The Indian share market indices traded on strong note on Friday with Nifty above 25,500 supported by broad-based buying across sectors, except IT stocks.At close, the Sensex was up 316.57 points or 0.38 percent at 82,814.71, and the Nifty was up 116.90 points or 0.46 percent at 25,571.25. About 1842 shares advanced, 2167 shares declined, and 153 shares unchanged.
Hindalco Industries, NTPC, SBI Life, L&T, Coal India were the top gainers on the Nifty, while losers included Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Eternal, HCL Technologies and Grasim Industries.On the sectoral front,except IT (down 1%) and media, all other indices ended in the green with power, metal, capital goods, PSU Bank up 1-2%.The BSE midcap index was up 0.5 percent and smallcap index ended marginally lower.

#Markets edge higher amid rising oil prices and Iran-US tensions, with Sensex up 445 points and Nifty above 25,590, led by PSU banks and FMCG gains. pic.twitter.com/sIFyaSAKNj

— newsinc24 (@newsinc24) February 20, 2026

Rupee Close:
On 20 Feb'26, the Indian rupee plunged 31 paise to settle at 90.99 against the U.S. dollar on Friday, tracking a strong American currency against major currencies and higher crude oil prices amid intensifying US-Iran tensions.Positive momentum in domestic equity markets failed to support the Indian, forex analysts said.They attributed the strengthening greenback and volatile crude prices to heightened tension between the U.S. and Iran, with both countries signalling they are prepared for war if talks on Tehran's nuclear programme fizzle out.
Trading Guide:
Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments,Indian equities rebounded after yesterday’s sharp correction, led by strong buying in large caps as investors favoured their better risk reward over premium valued midcaps. Sentiment improved on clearer trade agreement signals and India’s entry into Pax Silica, which is expected to strengthen supply chain security in AI, semiconductors, and critical minerals.Banking and metal stocks drove the recovery, while IT lagged. Volatility stayed elevated, with the India VIX spiking even as geopolitical tensions still linger. Softer inflation data from Japan supported expectations of accommodative global policy. Structurally, markets remain constructive, though near term moves are likely to stay flow driven amid global uncertainties, keeping the buy on dips, sell on rallies trend intact.
Market experts recommended five shares to buy on Friday-SBI Card, NTPC Green, Navin Fluorine, HDFC Life, and Data Patterns (India).

(Business Correspondent)