Markets rebound nearly 1% on buying in power, banking stocks

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded sharply by nearly 1% on Monday (February 16, 2026), driven by strong buying in power, banking, and financial stocks.

Snapping its three-day decline, the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 650.39 points, or 0.79%, to close at 83,277.15.

The 50-share NSE Nifty advanced 211.65 points, or 0.83%, to settle at 25,682.75.

PowerGrid emerged as the top gainer in the Sensex pack, rising 4.45 per cent, followed by HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, NTPC, ITC, Asian Paints, Bajaj Finserv, Bharti Airtel, Adani Ports, Tata Steel, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Reliance Industries and State Bank of India.

On the other hand, Tech Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki India, Bajaj Finance, Trent, Mahindra & Mahindra, Titan, Infosys, ICICI Bank, and UltraTech Cement were the laggards.

“After a range-bound opening, domestic markets edged higher, supported by renewed buying interest in banking and power stocks. The power sector gained on expectations of sustained demand momentum. At the same time, improved loan growth and stable asset quality bolstered confidence in banks,” Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Ltd, said.

In global markets, a continued decline in the U.S. 10-year yield following benign inflation data strengthened expectations of a Fed rate cut later this year, with investors now closely awaiting the upcoming Fed minutes for further direction.

“Meanwhile, stability in the rupee and range-bound crude oil prices ahead of U.S.-Iran talks are offering additional support to domestic equities,” Nair said.

The broader Asian markets ended on a mixed note. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng benchmark rose 0.52%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 index slipped 0.22%. Markets in China and South Korea remained closed for the Lunar New Year holidays.

European markets are trading higher in mid-session deals. U.S. equities ended on a mixed note on Friday.

Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth ₹7,395.41 crore on Friday (February 14, 2026), while domestic institutional investors purchased stocks worth ₹5,553.96 crore, according to the exchange data.