FOMO To FMA -Global Jitters, India Glitters: DIIs Counter FII Selling as Gift Nifty Signals a Strong Open

Global Market Futures (as of 05:55 AM IST)
US Market (Futures)

•    Nasdaq: -0.63%
•    Dow Jones: -0.33%
•    S&P 500: -0.43%

European (Futures)

•    Ftse 100: +0.05%
•    Cac 40: +0.45%
•    Dax : -0.37%

Asian (Live Markets)

•    KOSPI: +1.44%

Asian (Futures)

•    NIKKEI 225: -0.67%
•    ASX 200: -0.28%

Gift Nifty: 25886.00 (+1.25%)
Note: Japan & China Markets are observing a Trading Holiday today.

FII and DII Trading Activity February 20, 2026 in Cash market:
FIIs / FPIs: Net Sell of ₹934.61 crores
DIIs: Net Buy of ₹2,637.15 crores

Commodity Market Updates:
International commodity markets showed a broadly positive tone, led by strong gains in precious metals. Gold surged to 5,156.01, up 1.48%, while XAU/USD climbed 0.59% to USD 5,134.22/oz, reflecting sustained safe-haven demand. Silver outperformed with a sharp 4.92% rally to 86.392, signaling robust investor interest and momentum buying. Base metals were also firm, with copper advancing 0.74% to 5.9438, supported by expectations of steady industrial demand. In contrast, energy markets traded weaker. WTI crude slipped 0.84% to 65.92 and Brent fell 0.70% to 70.80 amid supply-demand concerns. Natural gas bucked the oil trend, rising 4.12% to 3.107, indicating tightening near-term fundamentals. Overall, metals strengthened while crude oil prices remained under pressure.

Results Today
BF Utilities, PVP Ventures, Stovec Industries, Kome-On Communications

Key Corporate Updates:

Positive:

• Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories: The company announced that the USFDA has accepted for review its Biologics License Application (BLA) for the proposed interchangeable biosimilar Abatacept, marking a key regulatory milestone that strengthens its biologics pipeline and US market presence.
• NHPC: The board approved capital investments of ₹29.94 billion for the Dulhasti Stage-II project and ₹27.09 billion for the Uri-I Stage-II project, reinforcing long-term hydroelectric capacity expansion and renewable infrastructure growth.
• NTPC: Declared Commercial Operation Date (COD) for 158.4 MW out of its 250 MW solar project in Andhra Pradesh, enhancing renewable energy contribution and improving generation portfolio diversification.
• HCLTech: HCLSoftware completed the acquisition of AI data analyst agents startup Wobby, strengthening its AI-led analytics and automation capabilities across enterprise solutions.
• Bharti Airtel: In partnership with Zscaler, launched an AI & Cyber Threat Research Center aimed at advancing cybersecurity intelligence and enterprise-grade digital protection services.
• Cipla: LIC increased its stake in Cipla to 9.091% from 7.055% during November-February, signaling institutional confidence and strategic portfolio strengthening in the pharmaceutical sector.
• Allcargo Terminals: Reported January 2026 volumes growth of 8% YoY, reflecting steady operational performance and improving trade activity.
• Heritage Foods: Received a favorable appellate authority ruling setting aside the earlier order on flavoured milk classification, removing regulatory uncertainty and strengthening compliance clarity.
• Highway Infrastructure: Secured a contract worth ₹1.55 billion along with an additional work order worth ₹696.9 million, significantly enhancing order book visibility and revenue pipeline.
• Quality Power Electrical Equipments: Received a Letter of Award worth ₹180 million, supporting revenue visibility in the power equipment segment.
• Kalind Ltd: Secured a purchase order valued at ₹148.4 million, strengthening near-term execution pipeline.
• Artefact Projects: Awarded a contract worth ₹31.2 million, adding to infrastructure consultancy revenues.
• Techknowgreen Solutions: Received a work order worth ₹21.45 million, improving project execution visibility.
• Meta Infotech: Secured an order worth ₹10.6 million, contributing to incremental business growth.
• PVR INOX: Opened a 7-screen multiplex in Hubballi, Karnataka, expanding its regional footprint and strengthening presence in Tier-2 markets.
• UPL Ltd: Approved a composite scheme integrating its India and international crop protection businesses into a single platform, aimed at operational streamlining, synergy realization, and long-term value creation.

Negative:

• Kopran Ltd: Reported a cyber-attack and unauthorized access to server data at its Khopoli factory; cybersecurity experts have been engaged and necessary access restrictions implemented, though operational risks remain under assessment.
• Reserve Bank of India / UCO Bank: RBI imposed a monetary penalty of ₹3.9 million on UCO Bank for regulatory non-compliance, highlighting supervisory enforcement action.
• Touchwood Entertainment: CFO Dinesh Singla resigned, potentially impacting financial leadership continuity.
• Tulsidah Ltd: CFO Hetal Waglekar resigned effective February 20, 2026.
• Uniroyal Industries: Chairman and Managing Director Arvind Mahajan tendered resignation, indicating leadership transition.
• Odigma Consultancy Solutions: Announced withdrawal of its proposed fund-raising initiative, potentially delaying capital plans.
• Elitecon International: To consider reversal of acquisition of Sunbridge Agro, indicating possible strategic reassessment.
• Indian Rupee: The rupee depreciated 0.35% to 90.9825 per US dollar, reflecting currency market volatility.
   

Neutral / Others

• Vedanta: Scheduled board meeting on February 25 to consider issuance of debentures as part of capital management strategy.
• JSW Infrastructure: Approved raising ₹500 million through equity issuance and announced board-related updates, reflecting capital planning initiatives.
• SL Capital & Financial Services: Approved raising up to ₹100 million via rights issue and equity issuance to strengthen capital base.
• Finkurve Financial Services: Board to consider fund-raising proposal and issuance of non-convertible debentures to support business expansion.
• Emaar (India) Ltd: To consider proposal for fund raising, indicating potential capital restructuring.
• Narmada Macplast Drip Irrigation Systems: To consider equity share issuance on a rights basis.
• Dhariwalcorp Ltd: Received approval for ₹117.5 million rights issue to support funding requirements.
• Suraj Estate Developers: Invested ₹304 million in share capital of Hally Pacific and issued NCDs worth ₹450 million, reflecting structured financing activities.
• Balgopal Commercial: Approved land purchase in Kolkata worth ₹6.5 million for future development.
• Narayana Hrudayalaya: Purchased 3.3 acres of land in Bengaluru to support software development and business expansion initiatives.
• Mrugesh Trading: Appointed Babubhai Makawana as Managing Director and CFO following resignation of Arpit Shah, reflecting leadership restructuring.
• Ponni Sugars (Erode): Re-appointed Ramanathan Narayanan as Managing Director, ensuring management continuity.
• Abans Financial Services: Re-appointed Abhishek Bansal as Managing Director, maintaining strategic leadership stability.
• NSE: Introduced Gold 10 grams futures contracts in the commodity derivatives segment effective March 16, expanding product offerings.

Non-Corporate, Unlisted & Foreign / Macro

1) RBI Bulletin & MPC Minutes: The Reserve Bank highlighted that inflation is expected to remain benign and near target levels, while growth prospects have improved with GDP projections raised by 20 bps for Q1 and Q2 FY27; external sector outlook strengthened following India-EU and India-US trade agreements. Members reiterated neutral stance as appropriate given balanced growth-inflation dynamics, with no immediate rate cut warranted.
2) India Forex Reserves: Forex reserves rose to a record $725.73 billion as of February 13, compared to $717.06 billion in the previous week, reinforcing external sector resilience.
3) India Infrastructure Output: Core sector output grew 4.0% YoY in January and 2.8% YoY during April-January, indicating stable industrial momentum.
4) India Trade Agreements: Trade deals with the UK and Oman are set to become operational in April, while recent agreements with the EU and US have improved the medium-term external trade outlook.
5) iShares MSCI India ETF: Gained 2.14% following the US Supreme Court ruling against global tariffs, reflecting positive global investor sentiment toward Indian equities
6) India Government: Revised base year of merchandise trade indices to FY2022-23 to reflect updated economic structure.
7) India T-Bills: Government to auction ₹340 billion in T-bills (91-day ₹140 billion, 182-day ₹120 billion, 364-day ₹80 billion).
8) 16 States: Scheduled to raise ₹445.5 billion via loans on February 24 to meet fiscal requirements.
9) India 10-Year G-Sec Yield: Closed at 6.7214% versus previous close of 6.6780%, reflecting marginal yield uptick.
10) India Cenbank FX Activity: Sold net $10.02 billion in the spot forex market in December; outstanding net forward sales stood at $62.35 billion.
11) Brazil President Lula: Indicated that discussions with US President Trump will focus on trade, immigration, and investments; expressed intent to raise India-Brazil trade to $30-40 billion; supported trade in local currencies; clarified no active BRICS discussion on a new currency; highlighted talks on drug trafficking, rare earths, and geopolitical matters.
12) Airbus CEO: Stated that establishing helicopter production in India would accelerate access to the local defense and civil aviation market.
13) US Envoy Sergio Gor: Confirmed India’s diversification of oil purchases while maintaining commitments regarding Russian imports.

Bulk Deals:

Shankara Building Products
The Ballygunge Family Trust has bought 5.1 lakh shares (equivalent to 2.1 percent of paid-up equity) in Shankara Building Products for Rs 5.35 crore from Marval Guru Fund, a part of Toronto-based India-focused investment firm Marval Capital. The share exchange took place at a price of Rs 105 per share.Marval Guru Fund held a 3.55 percent stake in Shankara Building Products as of December 2025.
MIC Electronics
Promoter entity R R K Enterprise sold a further 20 lakh shares (0.82 percent stake) in MIC Electronics at Rs 41 per share, amounting to Rs 8.2 crore. R R K Enterprise also sold 20 lakh shares on Tuesday, taking the total to 40 lakh shares offloaded last week.
Baazar Style Retail
Investor Ekta Halwasiya has picked up 4 lakh shares (0.53 percent stake) in the lifestyle retailer at Rs 328.76 per share, valued at Rs 13.15 crore.

Block Deals

Ganesh Benzoplast
Malabar India Fund, a hedge fund managed by Sumeet Nagar’s Malabar Investments, sold 10 lakh shares (1.38 percent stake) in chemical company Ganesh Benzoplast at Rs 81 per share for Rs 8.1 crore. However, Goel Seema acquired 10.03 lakh shares (1.38 percent stake) at the same price, valued at Rs 8.12 crore.

On-going IPO:
Last Date 24-Feb
Gaudium IVF and Women Health Ltd
Manilam Industries India Ltd (NSE SME)
Last Date 25-Feb
Shree Ram Twistex Ltd
Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd
Mobilise App Lab Ltd (NSE SME)
Kiaasa Retail Ltd (BSE SME)
Accord Transformer & Switchgear Ltd (BSE SME)
Last Date 04-Mar
IIFL Finance Ltd (Debt)

Upcoming IPO:
(24-Feb to 26-Feb)
PNGS Reva Diamond Jewellery Ltd
(25-Feb to 27-Feb)
Yaap Digital Ltd (NSE SME)

Securities Trading Ex-Dividend on February 23, 2026
PI Industries Ltd
Securities Under F&O Ban on February 23, 2026
SAMMAANCAP, SAIL

Source: WOWNEWS24X7, Moneycontrol, Investing.com