Welcome to today’s Indian stock market roundup for February 23, 2026. Dalal Street witnessed a strong session today as the BSE Sensex surged 480 points and the Nifty 50 comfortably crossed the 25,700 mark, adding over ₹2 lakh crore to investor wealth. Market sentiment was largely driven by positive global cues following a major US Supreme Court ruling on global tariffs. However, the session wasn't without its dramatic stock-specific action. While PSU banks rallied and domestic investors heavily bought the dip, the IT sector faced AI-related headwinds, and IDFC First Bank shares crashed following a massive ₹590 crore fraud disclosure. Read on for a complete breakdown of today's market performance, key drivers, and global commodity updates.

Market Performance & Indices

• Sensex Surges: The BSE Sensex closed with strong gains, jumping 480 points (0.58%) to settle at 83,294.66. During intraday trading, it surged over 670 points to touch a high of 83,486.15.
• Nifty Tops 25,700: The NSE Nifty 50 advanced 142 points (0.55%) to close at 25,713.
• Wealth Creation: The total market capitalization of BSE-listed companies increased by approximately ₹2 lakh crore in a single session, reaching ₹469 lakh crore.
• Mixed Broader Markets: Mid- and small-cap segments showed mixed results. The BSE 150 MidCap Index slipped by 0.21%, while the BSE 250 SmallCap Index rose by 0.51%.

Key Market Drivers

• US Tariff Relief: Indian equities rallied largely on improved global sentiment after the US Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump's sweeping reciprocal tariffs.
• Fresh Trade Uncertainty: Despite the Supreme Court ruling, market celebrations were slightly tempered by Trump immediately signing an executive order imposing a new 15% global tariff for 150 days.
• Institutional Activity: Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) continue to anchor the market, purchasing equities worth ₹2,637 crore on Friday, offsetting the ₹934 crore sell-off by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs).

Sectoral Highlights

• PSU Banks Shine: The Nifty PSU Bank index outperformed, rising 1.36%, driven by strong Q3 earnings and expectations of continued economic recovery.
• IT Under Pressure: The Nifty IT index was the major laggard, falling 1.42%. IT stocks remain under sustained selling pressure due to global concerns that rapid advances in artificial intelligence could disrupt traditional software services models.
• Energy & Renewables Momentum: Power and energy stocks saw healthy buying interest, supported by positive developments like NTPC Green announcing the commercial operation of a new solar project.

Stock-Specific Action

• Top Nifty Gainers: Adani Ports emerged as the biggest winner, rising over 2.8%. Other top performers included Kotak Mahindra Bank and HDFC Life Insurance.
• Top Nifty Losers: Hindalco Industries fell over 2%, alongside IT majors Wipro and Infosys, which both dropped nearly 1.9%.
• IDFC First Bank Fraud: Shares of IDFC First Bank crashed heavily (dropping up to 20% in early trade) following the disclosure of a ₹590 crore fraud in a Haryana government account. The bank has suspended four employees pending an investigation.
• UPL Restructuring Plunge: Agrochemical major UPL saw its shares tumble around 12% after proposing a scheme of arrangement to split the business into two distinct listed entities.
• Adani Ports Expansion: Adani Gangavaram Port Ltd signed a strategic MoU with NMDC Ltd and Vale SA to develop an integrated iron ore blending operation and a Special Economic Zone.

Commodities, Currency & Global Cues

• Gold & Silver Surge: Bullion prices opened sharply higher on the MCX due to safe-haven demand fueled by US trade uncertainty. Gold crossed ₹1,58,000 per 10 grams, and silver jumped 4% to trade around ₹2,63,000 per kg.
• Rupee Strengthens: The Indian Rupee gained 21 paise to trade at 90.73 against the US dollar in early trade.
• Oil Prices Drop: Brent crude oil slipped 1% to around $71.49 per barrel as the US and Iran prepare for a third round of nuclear negotiations, easing fears of immediate geopolitical conflict.
• Asian Markets Rise: Broader Asian markets traded mostly higher on the US tariff news, with Hong Kong's Hang Seng climbing 2.53% and South Korea's Kospi rising 1%. (Markets in Japan and mainland China were closed for holidays).
• Bond Market Stalls: Indian bonds stalled amid geopolitical risks and heavy supply, with the RBI's rupee support tool facing pressure as $7 billion in Non-Deliverable Forward (NDF) maturities came due.