Mumbai, Feb 22, 2026, 11:27 IST — Market’s final bell has rung.
- Nifty 50 closed up 0.46% Friday. Now, investors turn to global trade moves and oil risk as next week approaches.
- India VIX moved higher last week, pointing to increased appetite for hedges while the index remained stuck in its range.
- With a new GDP series set for Feb. 27 and tighter F&O margins kicking in midweek, positioning could see some shifts.
Indian shares open Monday with global trade policy taking center stage once again, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn President Donald Trump’s broad tariff plan and his subsequent push for a temporary worldwide duty hike to 15%. That change could ripple through risk sentiment in Asia as the week gets underway.
Dalal Street’s dealing with some tricky timing here. Last week, the Nifty moved in a range from 25,372.70 up to 25,885.30, while India VIX — the volatility indicator — jumped 8.05% to hit 14.36.
Domestic data carries the potential to push markets either way. On Feb. 27, the statistics ministry will issue a fresh GDP series, switching to a 2022-23 base year. Market participants will be alert to any changes in the growth outlook that might steer rate expectations.
The Nifty 50 added 0.46% Friday, wrapping up at 25,571.25. Sensex climbed 0.38% to finish at 82,814.71, recovering some ground after Thursday’s steep fall. PSU banks and metals outperformed, but IT heavyweights like Tech Mahindra and Infosys slipped back. “Near-term moves are likely to stay flow-driven amid global uncertainties,” said Geojit’s Vinod Nair. Business Today
On the technical front, resistance is shaping up around the 21-day EMA—a fast-moving trend line keeping pace with recent price shifts. LKP Securities’ Rupak De put the expected index swing between 25,300 and 25,800, while pegging support at roughly 25,500. Numbers from Friday reveal foreign institutional investors offloaded 934.61 crore rupees; domestic funds stepped in, buying 2,637.15 crore. ETMarkets also flagged three mainboard IPOs hitting the calendar this week.
Foreign flows have been decisive lately. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs)—also known locally as FIIs—swung back as net buyers in February, picking up roughly 16,912 crore rupees through Feb. 20, according to NSDL figures cited by The Economic Times. “FPIs were buyers on nine out of the last sixteen trading days” this month, said Dr VK Vijayakumar of Geojit. The Economic Times
Macro indicators stay solid, if a bit messy. HSBC’s flash India composite PMI—put together by S&P Global—climbed to 59.3 in February, up from 58.4. The survey flagged growing price pressures. Anything over 50 on the PMI means expansion.
The Reserve Bank of India’s policy committee opted to stand pat, maintaining the policy rate at 5.25% and sticking with a neutral stance, minutes released this day revealed. Members pointed to the need to see updated GDP and inflation data before making any move. Deputy governor Poonam Gupta summed it up: “another rate cut does not seem warranted at this point in time.” The Economic Times
NSE is tacking on an additional 15% exposure margin to 18 F&O stocks starting with the March series, targeting cases where the top 10 clients account for more than 20% of the Market Wide Position Limit (MWPL), that threshold capping total derivatives bets. This kicks in from Feb. 25, once February contracts expire. Among the stocks flagged in the new framework: Vodafone Idea, SAIL, Bandhan Bank, DLF.
This market doesn’t give much warning. On Feb. 19, the Sensex tumbled 1,236 points and the Nifty shed 365, with selling pressure sweeping through most sectors—a sharp reminder that a single negative global signal can still overwhelm local dip buyers.
Friday’s data release stands out as the week’s key local signal. India will unveil the revamped GDP series on Feb. 27, giving traders a fresh data point to parse for signs that could shift views on growth or rates.
