The Indian stock market on Thursday opened with marginal gains. Taking positive cues from global markets and overnight gains on Wall Street, the concerns over AI-led disruption also eased the investor sentiments. The benchmark Nifty 50 index opened at 25,560.40, gaining 77.90 points, or 0.31 per cent, while the BSE Sensex opened at 82,534.15, rising 258.08 points, or 0.31 per cent. The Nifty 100 index was up by 0.06 per cent, while the Nifty Midcap 100 gained 0.19 per cent. However, the Nifty Smallcap 100 declined by 0.15 per cent, reported ANI. Top gainers and top losers On the other hand, sectoral indices also reflected a mixed trend. Nifty IT emerged as the top gainer, rising 0.77 per cent, followed by Nifty PSU Bank, which climbed 0.84 per cent, Nifty Pharma, up by 0.39 per cent, and Nifty Oil and Gas, which surged 0.18 per cent. On the downside, Nifty Realty declined 0.57 per cent, Nifty FMCG fell 0.25 per cent, Nifty Consumer Durables dropped 0.19 per cent, Nifty Media lost 0.16 per cent, Nifty Private Bank declined 0.13 per cent, and Nifty Metal slipped 0.11 per cent. Strong institutional buying also supported the markets, with foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) purchasing equities worth Rs 2,991 crore and domestic institutional investors (DIIs) buying shares worth Rs 5,118 crore in the previous session. Global markets Asian markets showed a mixed trend in early Thursday trade. Japan's Nikkei 225 index surged by 0.4 per cent, or 202 points, to 58,786; Taiwan's weighted index gained 0.13 per cent, or 77 points, to 35,490; and South Korea's market jumped more than 2 per cent, by 125 points, to 6,209. However, Hong Kong's market declined by 0.41 per cent to 26,657, and Singapore's Straits Times index fell 0.24 per cent to 4,995. In the US markets, equities ended higher on Wednesday. The S&P 500 gained 0.81 per cent, or 56 points, to close at 6,946, while the Nasdaq jumped more than 1 per cent, or 284 points, to 23,148. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also rose 307 points, or 0.63 per cent, to close at 49,482. Expert opinions Market experts noted that positive global trends and sustained domestic institutional investor inflows are supporting investor confidence. Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said, "The Indian stock market is expected to begin the session on a steady note, reflecting overnight gains on Wall Street led by technology counters and a constructive tone across Asian markets in early trade. Sustained DII inflows continue to act as a structural anchor, supporting selective accumulation in banking, metals, power, FMCG, and auto stocks. In the absence of a strong external trigger or fresh domestic catalyst, the overall market tone is expected to remain measured," as cited by ANI.
26 February,2026 11:42 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGold and silver prices, after experiencing a sudden surge on Wednesday, fell marginally on Thursday. The high volatility in precious metals is because of the rise in global trade uncertainty, geopolitical tensions and decline in the US dollar. MCX gold April futures gained 0.76 per cent on Wednesday to Rs 1,61,180 per 10 grams around 11:30 am on an intraday basis. Meanwhile, the MCX silver March futures gained 3.20 per cent to Rs 2,69,075 per kg. International gold prices, including US futures, also climbed as investors rushed for safe-haven buying amid persisting US-Iran tensions and uncertainty over US tariffs. Gold prices in Mumbai Amid the volatile commodity market, yellow metal in Mumbai on Thursday during the morning hours experienced a very marginal change. Falling by a mere Rs 40, the price of 24-carat gold in Mumbai was recorded at Rs 1,61,680 for 10 grams. Whereas the 22-carat gold prices in Mumbai stood at Rs 1,48,200 for 10 grams. US dollar continues to fall On the other hand, the US dollar continues to fall in the aftermath of persistent trade uncertainty as the US Supreme Court struck down high tariffs imposed by President Trump last week, reported IANS. The dollar index eased by 0.17 per cent to 97.68, making greenback-backed bullion cheaper for buyers in overseas currencies. The US is currently collecting the uniform 10 per cent tariffs on imports, even as White House officials said tariffs will be increased to 15 per cent soon, according to multiple reports. Analysts noted that the People's Bank of China (PBOC) purchased gold for the fifteenth consecutive month in January, and continued central bank purchases will support precious metals prices in the near term, as reported by IANS. Gold MCX Strong buying interest is evident in the USD 70 – USD 75 support zone for COMEX Silver, and the medium- to long-term outlook is buoyed by industrial demand and structural supply constraints, market participants said. "Gold has support at Rs 1,58,800 and Rs 1,56,300, while resistance is at Rs 1,61,400 and Rs 1,63,000. MCX silver has support at Rs 2,54,400 and Rs 2,48,800, and resistance is at Rs 2,66,000 and Rs 2,71,000," an analyst said. (With inputs from IANS)
26 February,2026 10:51 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGold and silver prices, after experiencing a decline on Tuesday, were on an upward trajectory on Wednesday. The high volatility in gold and silver is mainly because of the uptick in the US dollar and profit‑taking after huge gains in the previous session. As reported by news agency IANS, investors weighed in on tariff uncertainty and ongoing US-Iran peace talks, which capped the decline in prices. MCX gold April futures dipped 0.58 per cent to Rs 1,60,664 per 10 grams around 10.50 am on an intraday basis. Meanwhile, MCX silver March futures declined 0.33 per cent to Rs 2,64,450 per kg. Gold prices in Mumbai While high volatility in the commodity market continues to persist globally, gold prices in Mumbai experienced a marginal hike. With an increase of Rs 430 from Tuesday, prices of 24-carat gold in Mumbai on Wednesday were recorded at Rs 1,62,070 for 10 grams. Whereas, the price of 22-carat gold was recorded at Rs 1,48,590 for 10 grams, experiencing a hike of Rs 400. Gold MCX On Comex, gold futures for April delivery fell 1.1 per cent to USD 5,170.70 an ounce, while spot gold dropped 1.5 per cent to USD 5,150.38, retreating from a three‑week high earlier in the day. Spot silver plunged 3.1 per cent to USD 85.50 per ounce, after hitting a two‑week high in the previous session, as per IANS. The dollar index surged 10.19 per cent on an intra-day basis to 97.89, making bullion more expensive for holders of other currencies. The medium- and long-term outlook remains constructive, supported by industrial demand and structural supply constraints despite volatility, they added. An analyst, while commenting on the gold price volatility, said, "Gold has support at Rs 1,60,600 and Rs 158,800, while resistance is at Rs 1,63,300 and Rs 1,65,000. MCX silver has support at Rs 2,61,000 and Rs 2,56,600, and resistance is at Rs 2,70,000 and Rs 2,78,000," as cited by IANS. Stock market opens in green After experiencing an extremely volatile past few days, the Indian stock market on Wednesday rebounded at the opening session. Equities recovered from the oversold category and eased concerns related to artificial intelligence (AI), although uncertainty continues due to global developments. Indian benchmark indices opened in positive territory. The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,512.60 with a gain of 87.95 points, or 0.35 per cent, whereas the BSE Sensex opened at 82,530.22, rising by 304.30 points, or 0.37 per cent, reported ANI. (With inputs from IANS)
25 February,2026 11:26 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter experiencing an extremely volatile past few days, the Indian stock market on Wednesday rebounded at the opening session. Equities recovered from the oversold category and eased concerns related to artificial intelligence (AI), although uncertainty continues due to global developments. Indian benchmark indices opened in positive territory. The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,512.60 with a gain of 87.95 points, or 0.35 per cent, whereas the BSE Sensex opened at 82,530.22, rising by 304.30 points, or 0.37 per cent, reported ANI. Global markets In global markets, US stocks closed higher on Tuesday. The Dow Jones index gained 370 points to close at 49,174.50, while the Nasdaq jumped more than 1 per cent, or 244 points, to close at 22,871. The S and P 500 index also rose by 54 points, or 0.79 per cent, to close at 6,892 points. Furthermore, shares of IBM also rebounded, gaining 2.67 per cent to close at USD 229.32 per share on the NYSE, reported ANI. In domestic markets, all sectoral indices on the NSE opened with gains. The Nifty IT index rose 0.97 per cent, Nifty Metal gained 0.89 per cent, Nifty FMCG increased 0.40 per cent, Nifty PSU Bank climbed 0.31 per cent, and Nifty Pharma advanced 0.24 per cent. Expert opinion Market experts highlighted that global cues and upcoming developments, including US President Donald Trump's speech, could influence sentiment further. Ajay Bagga, Banking and Market Expert, while speaking to the media, said, "Indian stock futures are pointing to a positive open, but Trump's speech over the next hour could change the market sentiment globally either way. March series starts on the NSE with global sentiment impacted by the AI scare trade, US tariff chaos, Iranian conflict looming, and a brewing private credit crisis under the hood in the US," as cited by ANI. He also highlighted that US markets rebounded as concerns over AI eased and optimism returned towards US technology stocks. Siddhartha Khemka, Head of Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, while expressing his views on the global market indices, said, “Global uncertainty and persistent concerns around AI-led disruption continued to weigh on market sentiment, keeping volatility elevated on D-Street. Weekly expiry of Nifty derivatives further added to intraday volatility, with markets reacting to a combination of weak global cues and sector-specific pressures.” Commenting on the Indian market indices, Khemka added, “Against this backdrop, the Nifty declined 1 per cent. However, last-hour buying in the broader markets aided a partial recovery, with the Midcap 100 ending down 0.3 per cent and the Smallcap 100 declining 0.6 per cent. Sectoral trends were mixed.” Gold prices Meanwhile, precious metals continued to remain elevated. Gold prices in India stood at Rs 160,750 per 10 grams for 24-carat gold, registering a gain of 0.5 per cent on Wednesday. Silver prices also surged more than 2 per cent to Rs 265,981 per kilogram, as per ANI. Asian markets also showed strong gains on Wednesday morning, supported by the rebound in US technology stocks. Japan's Nikkei 225 index jumped 1.61 per cent, gaining 923 points to reach 58,245. Taiwan's weighted index rose 700 points, or 2 per cent, to 35,496. South Korea's KOSPI index gained more than 2 per cent, rising by 122 points to 6,092.99, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index climbed 0.81 per cent, or 241 points, to 26,832. (With inputs from ANI)
25 February,2026 11:02 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentGold and silver prices declined on Tuesday as investors booked profits following sharp gains in the previous trading session, while a stronger US dollar added further pressure on bullion. On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold April futures slipped 0.58 per cent to Rs 1,60,664 per 10 grams in intraday trade around 10:50 am. Silver March futures also fell 0.33 per cent to Rs 2,64,450 per kg. The decline comes after a strong upward movement in precious metals, prompting traders to lock in gains amid evolving global cues. Global trends weigh on bullion prices In international markets, gold and silver also witnessed notable corrections. On Comex, gold futures for April delivery dropped 1.1 per cent to USD 5,170.70 per ounce, while spot gold declined 1.5 per cent to USD 5,150.38 after touching a three-week high earlier in the day. Silver prices saw sharper losses, with spot silver plunging 3.1 per cent to $85.50 per ounce, following a two-week high in the previous session. A key factor behind the decline was the strengthening of the US dollar. The dollar index surged 10.19 per cent on an intraday basis to 97.89, making gold and silver more expensive for holders of other currencies and thereby reducing demand. Geopolitical developments limit downside Despite the fall, analysts believe that geopolitical factors are helping limit deeper losses in gold prices. Uncertainty surrounding trade tariffs, particularly after a US Supreme Court ruling against emergency tariffs imposed under former US President Donald Trump, continues to support gold’s appeal as a safe-haven asset. Additionally, ongoing tensions involving the US and Iran, including a reported 10-day deadline for a "meaningful deal," are contributing to near-term support for bullion prices. Market participants are closely monitoring these developments, as any escalation could drive renewed demand for safe-haven investments like gold. Outlook remains positive despite volatility Analysts maintain that the medium, to long-term outlook for gold and silver remains constructive, supported by strong industrial demand and structural supply constraints. In China, the reopening of the precious metals futures market after the Lunar New Year has boosted global liquidity. Silver, in particular, is trading at a premium to Western spot prices, reflecting tight supply conditions and robust industrial demand. From a technical perspective, gold is expected to find support at Rs 1,60,600 and Rs 1,58,800, with resistance levels seen at Rs 1,63,300 and Rs 1,65,000. For silver, support is placed at Rs 2,61,000 and Rs 2,56,600, while resistance is likely at Rs 2,70,000 and Rs 2,78,000. Overall, while short-term fluctuations continue due to profit booking and currency movements, the broader trend for precious metals remains resilient. (With inputs from IANS)
24 February,2026 01:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will conduct an auction of State Government Securities (SGS) on February 24, aggregating Rs 44,550 crore, according to an official notification issued by the central bank. As many as 16 State Governments - Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal- are set to raise funds through a mix of fresh issuances and re-issues. The securities span maturities ranging from three years to 28 years, reflecting varied borrowing strategies aligned with states' fiscal requirements. Several states are re-issuing existing securities, including dated stocks of Chhattisgarh (7.59 per cent SGS 2046), Haryana (7.73 per cent SGS 2045), Karnataka (7.25 per cent SGS 2033), Tamil Nadu (7.12 per cent SGS 2032 and 7.44 per cent SGS 2055), Uttar Pradesh (7.24 per cent SGS 2033 and 7.59 per cent SGS 2041), and West Bengal (7.74 per cent SGS 2048). Select states, such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, have also indicated additional borrowing through green-shoe options. The auction will be conducted on the RBI's Core Banking Solution (E-Kuber) platform. Competitive bids can be submitted between 10:30 am and 11:30 am on February 24, while non-competitive bids will be accepted between 10:30 am and 11:00 am. Eligible individuals and institutions may participate under the Non-Competitive Bidding Facility. Retail investors can also bid through the RBI Retail Direct portal. Up to 10 per cent of the notified amount of each stock will be reserved for eligible participants under the non-competitive segment, subject to a maximum of 1 per cent per stock for a single bid. Bidders may submit multiple competitive bids at different yields or prices, provided the aggregate amount does not exceed the notified amount for the respective state. The cut-off yield or minimum price will be determined by the RBI based on bids received. Securities will be issued in a minimum denomination of Rs 10,000 and in multiples thereof. The auction results will be announced on the same day, and successful bidders will be required to make payments on February 25, 2026, during banking hours at Mumbai and the respective regional offices of the RBI. The newly issued stocks will carry interest at rates determined in the auction and will pay interest semi-annually on August 25 and February 25 until maturity. Re-issued securities will carry the original coupon rate. Investments in these securities qualify for Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) purposes and are eligible for the ready forward facility under prevailing regulations.
23 February,2026 03:39 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIPrecious metals witnessed a sharp rally on Monday, with gold and silver prices rising significantly amid escalating geopolitical tensions and a weakening US dollar. The surge reflects heightened investor interest in safe-haven assets during a period of global uncertainty. Gold, silver futures jump sharply on MCX On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold April futures climbed 1.83 per cent during intra-day trade to reach Rs 1,59,749 per 10 grams. Silver March futures outperformed, surging 5.10 per cent to Rs 2,65,836 per kilogram. Earlier in the session, gold had gained nearly 2 per cent, while silver recorded an even sharper jump of around 6 per cent. US-Iran tensions, weak dollar drive price surge Market analysts attributed the rally primarily to rising geopolitical concerns, particularly developments involving the United States and Iran. Tensions have intensified as US President Donald Trump’s 10-day deadline for a “meaningful deal” with Iran approaches. Reports indicate that Iran has signalled willingness to make concessions on its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief and recognition of its uranium enrichment rights, in an effort to avert potential military escalation. In addition to geopolitical factors, the decline in the US dollar has further supported precious metal prices. The dollar weakened after the US Supreme Court struck down a significant portion of tariffs imposed under the Trump administration, reducing the immediate scope for aggressive trade measures. Supply constraints, economic slowdown boost silver and gold Silver’s sharp rally is also being driven by supply-demand dynamics. Analysts noted substantial inventory drawdowns across major warehouses, particularly on the Comex exchange, indicating tightening supply conditions alongside rising demand. Temporary disruptions in Chinese markets have further contributed to the imbalance. Meanwhile, concerns over slowing economic growth in the United States have added to gold’s appeal as a safe-haven asset. Recent data showed US GDP growth moderating to 1.4 per cent in the fourth quarter, compared to 4.4 per cent in the previous quarter and 3.8 per cent earlier in the year, signalling a cooling economy. Key support, resistance levels and market outlook From a technical perspective, analysts suggest that gold has key support levels at Rs 1,54,400 and Rs 1,53,150, while resistance is seen at Rs 1,59,100 and Rs 1,60,600. For silver, support levels are placed at Rs 2,48,800 and Rs 2,42,000, with resistance at Rs 2,57,700 and Rs 2,63,620. Going forward, market participants will closely monitor upcoming US economic indicators, including factory orders, consumer confidence data, and the Producer Price Index (PPI), for further cues on price trends in the bullion market. (With inputs from Agencies)
23 February,2026 02:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShares of IDFC First Bank hit the 20 per cent lower circuit on Monday after the lender reported fraudulent transactions worth about Rs 590 crore, allegedly committed by its employees at its Chandigarh branch. The stock fell to Rs 66.85, its intra-day low, down 20 per cent. The shares opened 10 per cent lower and later extended their losses. At 10:33 am, shares were trading at Rs 70.10, down 16.06 per cent on the day. The bank said the matter is confined to a set of Haryana government‑linked accounts at the Chandigarh branch, adding that it has informed regulators and filed a police complaint. The bank also suspended four officials pending investigation. "Prima facie, unauthorised and fraudulent activities have been carried out by certain employees at a particular branch in Chandigarh in a specific set of Haryana state government accounts and potentially involving other individuals/entities/counterparties," the bank's stock exchange filing said. Independent brokerage estimates suggested that the suspected fraud amounts to about 0.9 per cent of the bank's net worth and 20 per cent of its FY26 pre‑tax profit. Meanwhile, the Haryana government de-empanelled IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance Bank for government business with immediate effect till further orders, according to an official circular. It directed all departments, boards, corporations and public sector undertakings to stop using these banks for deposits, investments or any other financial dealings. Authorities have also been asked to immediately transfer existing balances and close accounts maintained with the two lenders. The Finance Department pointed out lapses in following fixed deposit instructions. It noted that in some cases, funds that were supposed to be placed in flexible deposits or higher-interest fixed deposit schemes were allegedly kept in savings accounts, leading to lower returns and financial loss to the state. Departments have been instructed to strictly follow approved deposit terms, regularly verify compliance by banks, conduct monthly reconciliations and report any discrepancies. All reconciliations must be completed by March 31, 2026, and a certified compliance report must be submitted by April 4, 2026. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 February,2026 01:28 PM IST | Mumbai | IANSApple iPhone has now become the most valuable export item from India in 2025, with around USD 23 billion worth of devices shipped from domestic factories in the country. As reported by news agency IANS, the iPhones from India were mostly exported to the United States, according to industry data. “The sudden surge in Apple exports was driven by production incentives such as the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme and diversification from Chinese suppliers,” said industry players. Apple accounted for 76 per cent of total smartphones exported from India Surpassing automotive diesel fuel, smartphones were India’s top export category for the first time, with a total of USD 30.13 billion worth of exports in the January-December period. Surprisingly, Apple accounted for 76 per cent of total smartphone exports. Apple’s five‑year PLI window is scheduled to end in March 2026. Apple’s manufacturing footprint in the country includes five iPhone assembly plants – three operated by Tata Group entities and two by Foxconn. The export, however, is supported by a supply chain of around 45 companies, including many MSMEs supplying components for domestic and global operations. India becomes the second-largest smartphone producer While the exports from India experienced a sudden surge, India has also become the world’s second-largest mobile phone producer, with more than 99 per cent of phones sold domestically now made in India, moving up the manufacturing value chain. The Indian consumers’ smartphone buying patterns also showed a marked shift moving away from the traditional budget‑segment dominance, as Apple's iPhone 16 base variant emerged as the top‑selling smartphone model in 2025, a report from Counterpoint Research said recently. For the December quarter, Apple set all-time revenue records in the Americas, Europe, Japan, and the rest of Asia Pacific. Apple CEO Tim Cook, during the earnings call, emphasised, “We continued to gain momentum in emerging markets, which includes India, where we saw strong double-digit revenue growth,” reported IANS. The Apple CEO further said that they set a quarterly revenue record during the December quarter in India. “India is the second-largest smartphone market in the world and the fourth-largest PC market. Set quarterly revenue records on iPhone, Mac, and iPad, and an all-time revenue record on services,” Tim Cook added. (With inputs from IANS)
23 February,2026 11:45 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAfter massive uncertainties and global turmoil, Indian stock markets jumped on Monday at the opening bell. As reported by news agency ANI, a US decision that struck down Trump tariffs gave relief to investors, boosting positive sentiment. However, experts cautioned that volatility may continue amid ongoing uncertainty around tariffs and geopolitical developments. Furthermore, the benchmark indices opened in positive territory, with the Nifty 50 index opening at 25,678.40, gaining 107.15 points, or 0.42 per cent. While the BSE Sensex opened at 82,906.83, rising by 92.12 points, or 0.11 per cent. Expert opinion Commenting on global turmoil and its impact on Indian market indices, experts noted that while markets reacted positively to the tariff decision, concerns remain due to fresh tariff announcements and global uncertainties. Ajay Bagga, banking and market expert, while speaking to the media, said, "Indian stock futures soared on Friday when the tariffs were struck down, but post that the 10 per cent and then the 15 per cent global tariff announcements mean India is on par with close competitors in Asia,” as per ANI. “The Indian stock futures have given up some of their Friday evening gains this morning. With the monthly expiry looming tomorrow and markets in an overbought zone with no supportive catalyst, expect a volatile week as the world watches Iranian negotiations as the primary driver of market sentiments for now,” Bagga added. US tariffs' impact on markets The tariff developments have remained a key factor influencing global markets. Trump had announced first a 10 per cent tariff and then hiked it to 15 per cent under Section 122, which allows 150 days of these tariffs. Markets had witnessed a relief rally on Friday night when the US Supreme Court struck down the President's constitutional authority to levy tariffs. Gold Prices While the Indian stock market on Monday opened in green, gold prices also surged again by 2 per cent amid tariff uncertainty to Rs 159,908 per 10 gm for 24-carat gold. Silver prices also jumped 6 per cent to Rs 268,120 per kg, reflecting heightened investor demand for safe-haven assets, as per ANI. Global markets Other Asian markets also traded in positive territory. Singapore's Straits Times rose by 0.28 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index surged by 2.21 per cent, Taiwan's Weighted Index gained 1.41 per cent, and South Korea's KOSPI index rose by 0.31 per cent, while Japan's markets remained closed for a holiday. (With inputs from ANI)
23 February,2026 10:36 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAfter a highly volatile session in the past few days, Indian equity markets on Friday opened under pressure. The benchmark indices Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex on the last day of the week declined amid rising geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, higher crude oil prices, and cautious investor sentiment. The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,406.55, down -47.80 points or (-0.19 per cent), while the BSE Sensex also opened lower at 82,272.49, down -225.65 points or -0.27 per cent. Market experts attribute weakness to global uncertainty and rising geopolitical risks Ajay Bagga, banking and market expert, told news agency ANI, "Risk-off sentiment dominates due to geopolitical tensions (Iran). Fragile investor confidence after US market weakness. Macro backdrop: the US cycle is cooling but resilient. The Eurozone is stabilising. China is still facing property stress but showing managed stabilisation, as Lunar New Year holiday spending will give a clue next week on the strength of the Chinese consumer." "Iran's escalation risk is high; Supreme Leader Khamenei rejected US demands to halt uranium enrichment. Trump has warned Tehran of 'traumatic consequences' if no deal is reached within a month. US military buildup in the region raises the risk of weekend escalation. Arab allies are not keen on risking Iranian retaliation," Bagga added. Crude oil prices experience hike Furthermore, rising crude oil prices also weighed on investor sentiment. Brent crude prices crossed the USD 70 mark and are currently trading at USD 71.82 per barrel amid tensions between the US and Iran. Also, the precious metals remained firm, reflecting cautious sentiment. Gold prices held strong at Rs 155277 per 10 grams for 24 karat, while silver prices rose by 1.14 per cent to Rs 244113 per kg. Broad market indices also witnessed declines on NSE. Nifty 100 was down by 0.18 per cent, Nifty Smallcap 100 declined by 0.15 per cent, and Nifty Midcap index fell by 0.24 per cent. Experts on crude oil prices VK Vijayakumar, chief investment strategist, Geojit Investments, told ANI, "The sharp spike in Brent crude to USD 72 reflects growing fear and uncertainty in markets. The continuing weakness in IT stocks is another dampener for the market." “Amidst the many crises, the strength of the Indian economy and the recovery in corporate earnings, as reflected in Q3 numbers, are positives for the market. If, hopefully, the US-Iran standoff gets resolved in the coming days, the market will bounce back. Therefore, investors may wait and watch the unfolding developments in West Asia,” he added. Other Asian markets also reflected mixed trends. Japan's Nikkei 225 index declined by 1 per cent to the 56845 level, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index fell by 0.63 per cent to 26536. Taiwan's markets remained closed. Singapore's Straits Times Index rose marginally by 0.15 per cent to 5007, while South Korea's market witnessed a strong rally with a jump of more than 1 per cent to 5762. Global markets The US markets also closed lower on Thursday, adding to global caution. S&P 500 declined by 0.28 per cent to 6861, while Nasdaq fell by 0.36 per cent to 22672.72. Rising geopolitical tensions, elevated crude oil prices, and global market weakness continue to weigh on investor sentiment, keeping the outlook cautious in the near term. (With inputs from ANI)
20 February,2026 12:39 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
