Indian equity benchmarks closed lower on Thursday, February 12, 2026, led by sharp selling in information technology stocks, while financial counters limited downside losses.
Market Close
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BSE Sensex declined 558.72 points (-0.66%) to end at 83,674.92.
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NSE Nifty 50 dropped 146.65 points (-0.57%) to close at 25,807.20.
The Nifty opened below the 25,900 level and remained under pressure through the session, reflecting weakness in large-cap technology stocks.
IT Stocks Under Pressure
The Nifty IT index emerged as the worst-performing sector of the day.
Major IT names including Infosys, TCS, HCL Technologies and Mphasis declined sharply, with some stocks falling up to 6% amid global concerns over growth outlook and U.S. rate expectations following stronger labour data.
The recent U.S. jobs report reduced expectations of immediate Federal Reserve easing, weighing on rate-sensitive and export-oriented sectors.
Financials Provide Support
Banking and financial stocks showed relative strength.
Select large-cap names including ICICI Bank and Bajaj Finance closed in positive territory, cushioning broader index losses. Defensive buying was also seen in select capital goods and public sector names.
Broader Market Trend
Midcap and smallcap indices also ended lower, indicating risk aversion across segments beyond frontline stocks.
Global Backdrop
Asian markets traded mixed during the session. Investors globally continued to assess macroeconomic data and geopolitical developments, which influenced early sentiment in domestic markets.
Technical Levels to Watch
For the Nifty:
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Immediate support: 25,800–25,750
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Resistance zone: 25,900–26,000
A sustained move below support levels may invite further selling pressure, while recovery above resistance could stabilise sentiment.
Why It Matters
The session highlighted a shift in sector leadership, with investors rotating out of high-valuation technology stocks and reallocating capital toward relatively stable financial counters. Near-term direction is likely to remain influenced by global macro data and earnings commentary.
