Markets close flat in a volatile trade,IT stocks under selling pressure

The domestic share market indices ended on a flat note in the rangebound session on Wednesday.At close, the Sensex was down 40.28 points or 0.05 percent at 84,233.64, and the Nifty was up 18.70 points or 0.07 percent at 25,953.85. About 1882 shares advanced, 2165 shares declined, and 148 shares unchanged.
Eicher Motors, Apollo Hospitals, Max Healthcare, SBI, Maruti Suzuki were the top gainers on the Nifty, while losers included Coal India, TCS, HCL Technologies, Eternal, Infosys.On the sectoral front Auto index jumped 1.3%, PSU Bank and pharma rose 1% each, consumer durables index up 0.5%, while IT index shed 1.Nifty midcap and smallcap indices ended flat.
Rupee Close:
On 11 Feb'26,the Indian rupee  depreciated 14 paise to close at 90.70  against the US dollar on Wednesday, on dollar demand from importers and geopolitical tensions.Forex traders said the rupee is trading with a slight negative bias amid geopolitical tensions and elevated crude oil prices. Dollar demand from importers may also pressurise the rupee. However, FPI inflows may support the local unit at lower levels.
Trading Guide:
Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments stated domestic equities may enter a brief consolidation phase following this week’s strong rally driven by the US–India trade deal. Market attention has shifted back to mixed Q3 results, upcoming monthly inflation data, and finer details of the trade agreement, which is reportedly nearing finalisation. Strength in auto and healthcare sectors reflects better than expected earnings, while IT underperformed amid a global sell off linked to AI related volatility.Broader markets lagged, with Midcap and Smallcap indices posting modest declines.Globally, sentiment stayed cautious due to weak US retail sales and persistent AI related disruptions, keeping investors risk averse ahead of key US employment data. Meanwhile, domestic markets have begun to benefit from improving FII flows, which have turned positive and is expected continue due to upside in GDP forecast and moderation in India's valuations.
Market experts recommended five shares to buy on Wednesday- Divgi TorqTransfer Systems, MedPlus Health Services, DCB Bank, Kirloskar Oil Engines, and Centum Electronics.

(Business Correspondent)