Benchmark Performance – 24 Feb 2026
Sensex: 82,225.92 (−1.28%)
Nifty 50: 25,424.65 (−1.12%)
Bank Nifty: 61,047.30 (−0.35%)
Broader Market: Midcaps −0.32%, Smallcaps −0.55% (approx.)
What Moved the Market
1) Gap-Down Open, Weak Close, Risk-Off Day: Benchmarks opened soft and faced persistent selling, closing near the day’s lows as global tariff jitters and tech weakness weighed on sentiment.
2) IT Bloodbath: Nifty IT nosedived ~4.7%, hitting fresh multi-month lows as fears of AI-led disruption and weak global tech cues triggered broad-based selling.
3) Financials Mixed; Bank Nifty Defends 61K: Banks were relatively resilient intraday with buying on dips, the index still closed mildly negative but held the 61K support zone.
4) Defensives Cushion: FMCG and Pharma eked out small gains as investors rotated to safety, Energy/Metals provided selective support.
5) Broader Market Softer but Not Panic: Midcaps and Smallcaps slipped less than the benchmarks, indicating rotation rather than capitulation.
6) Drivers: Renewed US tariff uncertainty, global tech sell-off, and elevated crude kept sentiment cautious ahead of monthly expiry.
Key Levels to Watch (for 25 Feb 2026)
Nifty 50 — Support: 25,360 → 25,250 | Resistance: 25,550 → 25,700
Sensex — Support: 81,900 → 81,500 | Resistance: 82,700 → 83,200
Bank Nifty — Support: 60,750 → 60,600 | Resistance: 61,350 → 61,700
Bottom Line
IT remains the swing risk. As long as Nifty holds the 25,250–25,360 region and Bank Nifty defends ~60,750–61,000, the base case is range-bound trade with a buy-on-dips bias in financials and defensives. A decisive break below these zones can extend weakness toward 25,000 on Nifty and 60,000 on Bank Nifty. Keep position sizing conservative into expiry and watch global tariff headlines.
Why did the market fall today? Renewed tariff uncertainty from the US and a sharp sell-off in global technology weighed on risk appetite. Indian IT bore the brunt, dragging the benchmarks lower.
Is buy-on-dips still valid? Selectively, yes, in financials and defensives as long as Nifty holds above ~25,250 and Bank Nifty above ~60,750. Under those levels, reduce risk.
Key events to watch next? Tariff policy headlines, crude price moves, FII flows, and the monthly F&O expiry dynamics.
Disclaimer
This market update is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not investment advice. Finfluencee.com and the author are not SEBI‑registered advisers. Market conditions can change quickly. please consult a certified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
