Sensex, Nifty gain after early dip, IT stocks Infosys, Wipro, HCL lead market recovery

Domestic market rebounded in the afternoon session after an early dip on Tuesday, driven by value buying in heavyweight counters, stability in international markets and easing concerns over macroeconomic signals, helping benchmark indices reverse opening losses.

Gains in IT stocks were driven by a combination of global optimism and domestic triggers, including momentum from discussions around artificial intelligence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

Sensex traded 231.26 points or 0.28 per cent positive at 83,508.41 as at 12.43 pm after hitting a low of 82,987.43. Nifty 50 inched up 50.25 points or 0.20 per cent to 25,733.

Midcap and smallcap indices posted modest gains during the session. Among sectoral performers, IT and PSU banking stocks advanced by 2–3 per cent, while media and chemical shares recorded gains of about 1 per cent.

However, metal stocks fell by more than 1 per cent. Oil and gas, realty and private banking counters also edged lower, reflecting selective selling pressure across sectors.

IT stocks lead Nifty 50

Among the Nifty 50 constituents, IT heavyweights Infosys, HCL Technologies and Wipro emerged as the leading gainers. ITC Ltd, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone and Adani Enterprises Ltd also featured among the top performers.

On the downside, Kwality Wall’s, Eternal, Trent, Hindalco Industries, Shriram Finance and Tata Steel recorded the steepest declines.

Market breadth indicated broadly positive participation during the session, with a total of 3,092 stocks traded on the National Stock Exchange at the time of writing.

Advances outpaced declines as 2,019 stocks moved higher compared with 977 that fell, while 96 counters remained unchanged.

Momentum was also reflected in longer-term performance indicators, with 53 stocks touching their 52-week highs, whereas 66 slipped to 52-week lows. 54 stocks hit their upper circuit limits, while 39 were locked in the lower circuit.

Top midcap and smallcap movers

Under the midcap segment, Cochin Shipyard, Tata Elxsi, Coromandel, Union Bank and Godfrey Phillips surged 3-4 per cent, while Swiggy, Nykaa, BSE, National Aluminium and SAIL depreciated 2-3 per cent.

Smallcap stocks Newgen Software, Aegis Vopak, Karur Vysya, Neland Lab and Reliance Power soared 3-14 per cent. Hindustan Copper, First Cry, Signature Global, Ola Electric and MCX fell 2-4 per cent.

On the BSE, EaseMyTrip and Newgen Software led the rally with 14-20 per cent uptick, Anup Engineering, GMDC, Hindustan Copper and Pricol shed 3-4 per cent.

Published on February 17, 2026