On Monday, 23 February 2026, Indian equities started the trading week on a strong positive note, with both the BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty 50 benefiting from improved global sentiment and key macro developments.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn certain tariffs imposed during the previous U.S. administration provided a boost to risk appetite among investors, lifting export-oriented and broader market segments early in the session.
BSE & NSE – Opening, High, Low, Closing
🟡 BSE Sensex (23 Feb 2026)
- Open: 82,906.83 points
- High (Intraday): 83,486.15 points
- Low (Intraday): 82,906.83 points
- Previous Close: 82,814.71 points
- Today’s Trading: The Sensex maintained an upbeat tone, trading above the previous session’s close throughout most of the day.
🟢 NSE Nifty 50 (23 Feb 2026)
- Open: ~25,678.40 levels
- High (Intraday): ~25,771.45 levels
- Low (Intraday): Market sources indicate the index held above support levels in early trade.
- Current Readings: The Nifty was trading above 25,700 in afternoon trade, reflecting strong participation across sectors.
Both benchmark indices opened higher and held most of the early gains, supported by broad-based buying across financials, auto, and select export-linked stocks.
Markets were broadly positive, with most sectors in the green. Financials, private banks, and autos spearheaded the gains, while some defensive and utility stocks lagged. Analysts noted that the upside may moderate as the index approaches key resistance levels around 26,000 unless fresh triggers emerge.
Macro concerns such as regulatory changes affecting trading firms and lending rules also created mixed sentiment in mid-cap and small-cap segments.
Key Drivers:
A key catalyst for the market rally was the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn certain tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump — a move that relieved concerns around global trade barriers and was welcomed by export-oriented sectors. This legal development lifted sentiment early in the trading week, helping push both Sensex and Nifty higher.
Top Gainers of the Day
Across the market, a mix of auto, financial, and consumer stocks led the gains on both exchanges:
- Bajaj Auto Ltd — The auto major was among the strongest performers, registering healthy gains on increased buying interest.
- Eicher Motors Ltd — Another auto heavyweight, Eicher added ground with strong intraday advances.
- HDFC Bank Ltd — Index heavyweight from the banking sector showing solid upside.
- Hindustan Unilever Ltd and Asian Paints Ltd — Consumer stocks that also featured on the list of gainers with steady performance.
These gains demonstrate broader market participation, where both cyclical and defensive plays saw buying interest.
📉 Top Losers of the Day
Although the market was largely positive, several stocks lagged and weighed on sentiment:
- Infosys Ltd — One of the major IT names saw some profit booking and ended in the red.
- Kwality Walls India Ltd — Consumer play that experienced a dip amid broader mixed sentiment.
- Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) — Energy stocks also faced headwinds during the session.
- Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd — A key pharma name moderated part of its earlier gains.
These decliners highlight that while the indices advanced overall, profit booking in select sectors capped broader enthusiasm.
📌 Outlook:
Market analysts note that while the current rally reflects renewed confidence, investor caution persists as global economic indicators and domestic policy shifts continue to shape trading sentiment. Near-term support for indices is expected around psychological levels unless fresh catalysts emerge.
– Mihir Vaishnav
