StockMarket – Indian Indices Extend Gains Amid AI Summit Buzz
StockMarket – Indian equity benchmarks opened on a steady note Thursday, building on gains recorded over the past three sessions as investors 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 had edged up 35 points, or 0.04 percent, to trade at 83,769. The NSE Nifty also moved higher by 30 points, or 0.12 percent, reaching 25,850. The upward movement reflects a continuation of the gradual recovery seen earlier this week.
Broader market indices mirrored the performance of frontline benchmarks. The Nifty Midcap 100 rose 0.20 percent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 advanced 0.34 percent, indicating participation beyond large-cap stocks.
Sectoral Performance Remains Mixed
Sectoral trends were uneven during early trade. The Nifty IT index emerged as the top gainer, climbing 1 percent. Metal stocks also witnessed buying interest, pushing the Nifty Metal index up by 0.60 percent.
On the other hand, private banking shares saw mild selling pressure, with the Nifty Private Bank index slipping 0.15 percent. Analysts noted that while banking and financial stocks have largely powered the recent rally, some investors may be locking in gains after a sustained uptrend.
Key Technical Levels to Watch
Market experts highlighted important technical levels for traders. Immediate support for the Nifty is seen between 25,650 and 25,700, while resistance is placed in the 25,950 to 26,000 zone. A decisive move beyond this range could determine the next directional bias.
For the Bank Nifty, support is identified between 61,250 and 61,350. The 61,750 to 61,850 range continues to act as a significant resistance band, according to analysts tracking derivatives data and price action patterns.
Domestic Inflows Provide Stability
Recent market strength has been underpinned by resilience in banking and financial stocks, along with selective buying in energy, metal, and consumer-related counters. Analysts say consistent inflows from domestic institutional investors have played a crucial role in cushioning volatility.
Domestic institutional investors were net buyers of equities worth Rs 440 crore on February 18. In contrast, foreign institutional investors offloaded shares worth Rs 1,154 crore during the same session. The steady participation of local funds has helped offset overseas selling pressure.
Despite the recent rebound, experts caution that sentiment in the near term may remain measured. Some profit-taking is expected in pockets where valuations have become stretched. In addition, uncertainty surrounding the global impact of artificial intelligence developments continues to weigh on parts of the IT sector.
Global Markets and Holiday Impact
Trading activity across Asia remained subdued as several major markets were closed for the Lunar New Year holidays. The Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges in mainland China are scheduled to remain shut until February 23, while the Hong Kong market will reopen on February 19.
Overnight, US markets finished in positive territory. The Nasdaq gained 0.78 percent, supported by strength in technology shares. The S&P 500 rose 0.56 percent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.26 percent, providing supportive cues for Asian investors.
With domestic flows steady and global markets broadly supportive, Indian equities are likely to remain influenced by sector-specific developments and institutional activity in the sessions ahead.