New Delhi – Indian equity benchmarks opened on a steady note Thursday, extending gains recorded over the past three sessions as investors closely tracked developments from the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Market participants remained cautiously optimistic, supported by stable domestic flows and firm global cues.
Benchmarks Open with Modest Advances
By 9:30 a.m., the BSE Sensex inched up 35 points, or 0.04 percent, to 83,769, while the NSE Nifty 50 rose 30 points, or 0.12 percent, to 25,850. Broader market indices mirrored this performance, with the Nifty Midcap 100 climbing 0.20 percent and the Nifty Smallcap 100 advancing 0.34 percent, signaling participation beyond large-cap stocks.
Sectoral Trends Mixed
Sectoral movements were uneven in early trade. The Nifty IT index led gains, surging 1 percent, while the Nifty Metal index climbed 0.60 percent amid buying interest in metals. Conversely, private banking shares faced mild selling pressure, with the Nifty Private Bank index slipping 0.15 percent. Analysts noted that some investors may be booking profits in financials after a sustained rally.
Key Technical Levels
Experts highlighted immediate support for the Nifty at 25,650–25,700, with resistance around 25,950–26,000. For the Bank Nifty, support lies between 61,250–61,350, while resistance is placed at 61,750–61,850. A decisive move beyond these levels could set the next directional bias.
Domestic Inflows Stabilize Market
The recent market strength has been aided by steady domestic institutional investor activity. On February 18, local funds were net buyers to the tune of Rs 440 crore, offsetting foreign selling of Rs 1,154 crore. Analysts said selective buying in energy, metal, and consumer stocks, coupled with domestic inflows, helped cushion volatility.
Global Cues and Holiday Impact
Asian markets were subdued due to Lunar New Year holidays, with Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges closed until February 23, while Hong Kong reopens February 19. Overnight, US markets closed higher, with the Nasdaq up 0.78 percent, the S&P 500 rising 0.56 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average adding 0.26 percent, providing supportive cues for Asian equities.
With domestic flows steady and global markets broadly positive, Indian equities are expected to track sector-specific developments and institutional activity in the coming sessions, even as investors remain watchful of AI-driven market trends and pockets of profit-taking.
