Last Updated on February 20, 2026 9:26 pm by BIZNAMA NEWS
AMN / BIZ DESK
Domestic Indian equity markets staged a resilient comeback on Friday, shaking off the previous day’s rout to end in the green. Despite simmering geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran weighing on Asian peers, domestic sentiment was bolstered by a massive rally in state-owned lenders and metal stocks.
At the closing bell, the BSE Sensex stood at 82,814.71, up 316.57 points (0.38%), while the NSE Nifty50 settled at 25,571.25, gaining 116.90 points (0.46%).
Sector Spotlight: The PSU Banking Fever
The Nifty PSU Bank Index stole the show, extending its weekly winning streak to three weeks. Investors are increasingly pivoting toward state banks, drawn by superior credit growth and “budget-boosted” infrastructure spending.
Key Performance Metrics:
- Weekly Gain: 5.45% (Best weekly performance since October 2024).
- Year-to-Date (YTD): Up 13.3%, massively outperforming the benchmark Nifty 50, which is down 2.14% in the same period.
- Record High: Hit the 9,691 level during intraday trade today.
Why the surge? 1. Earnings Power: Robust December quarter profits across the board.
2. Budget Catalyst: A record capex push in the Union Budget is expected to drive massive loan demand for public lenders.
3. Efficiency: Significant recovery in margins and improved asset quality.
Market Movers: Winners & Losers
| Top Gainers (Blue Chips) | Change | Top Laggards (IT/Telecom) | Change |
| NTPC | +2.6% | Tech Mahindra | -1.7% |
| L&T | +2.2% | Infosys | -1.4% |
| Power Grid | +2.0% | HCLTech | -1.2% |
| Tata Steel | +1.8% | Bharti Airtel | -1.1% |
The ₹12-Trillion Milestone: State Bank of India (SBI)
In a historic feat, SBI’s market capitalization crossed ₹12 lakh crore this week. The banking behemoth has been on an unstoppable seven-month winning streak, gaining 53% during this period. It now stands as India’s fourth most-valued listed entity.
Top PSU Individual Performers (Weekly):
- Indian Bank: +7.5%
- Union Bank of India: +7.2%
- Punjab National Bank: +7.1%
- Bank of Baroda: +6.6%
Broader Markets & IT Drag
While the Nifty MidCap 100 rose 0.48%, the Smallcap segment lagged with a 0.11% dip. The IT Sector remained the primary drag on the index, falling nearly 1% as global tech spending concerns persist.
Analyst View: “The divergence between PSU and Private banks is stark. Investors are chasing value and high dividend yields in the public sector, viewing them as the primary beneficiaries of the government’s infrastructure agenda for 2026-27.”
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