Markets slipped sharply into the red by midday on Thursday, reversing early optimism as broad-based selling pressure pulled both benchmark indices below critical technical support zones. The BSE Sensex was trading at 82,963.08 as of 12.55 PM, down 771.17 points or 0.92 per cent from its previous close of 83,734.25, having opened the session at 83,969.82. The NSE Nifty 50 mirrored the weakness, shedding 218.30 points or 0.85 per cent to trade at 25,601.05, after opening at 25,873.35, against its previous close of 25,819.35.
The slide is significant as the Nifty has now breached the 25,600-mark that analysts had flagged in the morning as a crucial support level. The earlier session had seen the indices open higher on the back of positive global cues, including a 1.07 per cent overnight rise in the Nasdaq, driven by an AI-focused partnership between Nvidia and Meta, but domestic profit-booking has since overwhelmed the tailwinds.
Selling was broad and deep across market segments. On the BSE, of 4,126 stocks traded, declines outnumbered advances by a significant margin, with 2,483 stocks falling, against 1,447 advancing and 196 remaining unchanged. A total of 102 stocks hit 52-week lows, while 110 stocks were locked in the lower circuit, underscoring the breadth of the sell-off.
Sectoral indices reflected the pressure uniformly. The Nifty Bank fell 532.30 points or 0.86 per cent to 61,019.25, a notable retreat from the 61,700–61,800 breakout zone that analysts had pointed to as a potential trigger for outperformance. The Nifty Financial Services index declined 276.45 points or 0.97 per cent to 28,182.70, while the Nifty Next 50 dropped 1.05 per cent to 69,592.35. The mid- and small-cap segments were relatively more resilient, with the Nifty Midcap 100 down 0.83 per cent at 59,681.00, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 losing 0.49 per cent to 17,151.70.
Among the Nifty 50 gainers, ONGC led with a rise of 2.51 per cent to ₹271.25, followed by Hindalco at ₹912.35, up 1.46 per cent. Infosys added 0.74 per cent to ₹1,383.90, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories edged up 0.66 per cent to ₹1,288.70, and TCS gained a modest 0.17 per cent to ₹2,699.40.
On the losing side, Kwality Wall’s (India) Ltd was the top decliner, falling 3.14 per cent to ₹28.41. Trent dropped 2.97 per cent to ₹4,062.80, while Mahindra & Mahindra shed 2.50 per cent to ₹3,442.40. IndiGo fell 1.93 per cent to ₹4,884.30 and Grasim Industries declined 1.92 per cent to ₹2,877.50.
Despite the intraday weakness, 106 stocks still registered 52-week highs and 138 hit the upper circuit, suggesting selective buying interest persists. With roughly two-and-a-half hours of trade remaining before the 3:30 PM close, traders will be watching whether Nifty can reclaim the 25,600 level or whether further selling deepens the session’s losses.
Published on February 19, 2026