Indian Stock Market Update: Nifty Closes Above 25,550; PSU Banks and Metals Lead Gains

Published: February 20, 2026 | Category: real estate news
Indian Stock Market Update: Nifty Closes Above 25,550; PSU Banks and Metals Lead Gains

The Indian stock market witnessed a rebound on Friday, with benchmark indices closing higher. The BSE Sensex rose 317 points to close at 82,815, while the Nifty advanced 117 points to 25,571, reclaiming levels above 25,550. Over 35 Nifty stocks settled in the green, with Larsen & Toubro and Reliance Industries leading the gains. The market breadth remained neutral, with the NSE advance-decline ratio standing at 1:1.

The Nifty Bank index outperformed, climbing 432 points to 61,172, driven by strong buying in Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank. The Midcap index also gained traction, rising 286 points to end at 59,514. However, the IT sector continued to face pressure, with Persistent Systems, Tech Mahindra, and Coforge among the top losers. The Nifty IT index has underperformed, down 17% over the past three weeks.

Several individual stocks saw significant movement. PB Fintech gained over 3% after Kotak Institutional Equities upgraded the stock to 'Add' from 'Reduce'. ABB India surged nearly 5% following its Q4CY25 results, which were in line with estimates. Novartis India hit the 20% upper circuit after its Swiss parent agreed to sell a 71% stake to a ChrysCapital-led consortium. DEE Development Engineers jumped over 12% after securing an international order worth $40 million.

In the broader market, Tube Investments, Bharat Dynamics, and Ashok Leyland were among the top midcap gainers. Conversely, Eternal, Tech Mahindra, Trent, M&M, and Jio Financial Services were the key Nifty laggards. The overall sentiment in the market remained cautiously optimistic, with investors looking forward to upcoming economic data and corporate earnings to guide future trends.

The positive close on Friday reflects a growing confidence in the Indian economy and its resilience. Investors are particularly bullish on the PSU banks and metals sectors, which have shown strong performance. However, the IT sector continues to face challenges, and investors are closely monitoring developments in this space to gauge the long-term impact.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Nifty index?
The Nifty index, also known as Nifty 50, is a benchmark index that represents the performance of the top 50 companies listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India. It is widely used as an indicator of the overall health of the Indian stock market.
2. Which sectors led the gains in the Indian stock market?
PSU banks and metals sectors were the top performers in the Indian stock market, with significant gains observed in these areas.
3. Why did IT stocks underperform?
IT stocks underperformed due to ongoing challenges in the sector, including increased competition, regulatory pressures, and slower growth in key markets. Companies like Persistent Systems, Tech Mahindra, and Coforge were among the top losers.
4. What factors contributed to the positive close of the market?
The positive close of the market was driven by strong performance in PSU banks and metals, as well as positive corporate earnings and upgrades. Investors are also optimistic about the Indian economy's resilience and future growth prospects.
5. What is the significance of the Nifty Bank index climbing above 61,000?
The Nifty Bank index climbing above 61,000 indicates a strong performance in the banking sector, particularly in PSU banks. This is a positive sign for the financial health of the banks and the overall stability of the Indian economy.