Last Updated on February 23, 2026 9:41 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
BIZ DESK
The Indian equity benchmarks, Sensex and Nifty 50, extended their winning streak for a second consecutive session. The market rally was primarily fueled by positive global cues after the US Supreme Court struck down President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, labeling them illegal. This move significantly boosted investor sentiment, particularly across domestic-focused sectors like PSU Banks, Auto, and Healthcare.
Major Indices at a Glance
| Index | Closing Price | Change (Points) | % Change |
| BSE Sensex | 83,294.66 | +479.95 | +0.58% |
| NSE Nifty 50 | 25,713.00 | +141.75 | +0.55% |
| Nifty MidCap | — | -0.43% | Mixed |
| NSE SmallCap | — | +0.29% | Mixed |
Note: While the benchmarks soared, the broader market showed a mixed performance. The India VIX (volatility index) cooled off by 1.35%, settling at 14.17, indicating reduced near-term anxiety among traders.
Sectoral Performance
The day belonged to the banking and healthcare sectors, while technology faced significant headwinds due to AI disruption concerns and rising memory (DRAM) costs.
- Top Outperformers:
- Nifty PSU Bank (+1.36%): Led by heavyweights like State Bank of India and Bank of Baroda.
- Nifty MidSmall Healthcare (+1.03%): Strong defensive buying supported this segment.
- Auto & Financials: Both sectors saw healthy gains as global trade tensions eased.
- Top Underperformers:
- Nifty IT (-1.42%): The day’s worst performer, weighed down by Infosys and Tech Mahindra.
- Nifty Chemicals: Also ended in the red, trailing the IT sector’s slump.
Gainer & Losers: Nifty 50 Pack
Top 5 Gainers
- Adani Ports: +2.98% (Boosted by a strategic Iron Ore MoU with NMDC and Vale S.A.)
- Kotak Mahindra Bank: +2.22%
- UltraTech Cement: +1.65%
- PowerGrid: +1.48%
- Hindustan Unilever: +1.34%
Top 5 Losers
- Hindalco: -2.08%
- Infosys: -1.90%
- Wipro: -1.89%
- Tech Mahindra: -1.10%
- Cipla: -1.09%
Global & Macro Factors
- The “Trump Tariff” Relief: The US Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday evening (IST) invalidated sweeping tariffs, potentially lowering the tax burden for roughly 55% of Indian exports to the US.
- Crude Oil: Brent crude slipped 0.38% to $71.49 per barrel, providing a slight relief to India’s import bill.
- Currencies: The Indian Rupee traded near the ₹90 mark against the US Dollar.
