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Key gauges add gains in morning deals
Feb-20-2026

Indian equity benchmarks added gains in morning deals, lifted by buying in Capital Goods and Power shares. Sentiments got up-beat after a private survey showed that India's private sector accelerated in February led by robust demand for goods even as services growth was broadly steady. HSBC's flash India Composite Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 59.3 in February from January's 58.4 - the strongest in three months. Traders also took support as former British prime minister Rishi Sunak said supported by a deep talent pool and strong digital public infrastructure, India is well positioned to be a leader in AI and demonstrate its mass adoption and deployment in society. Some optimism also came as India called for increased collaboration in research and development (R&D), biotechnology, specialty pharmaceuticals, and advanced therapeutics with Switzerland, with an aim to further strengthen economic ties. On the global front, Asian markets were trading mostly in red following the broadly negative cues from Wall Street overnight, amid renewed concerns about a military conflict between the U.S. and Iran, with reports suggesting American military intervention may be imminent.

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 82827.60, up by 329.46 points or 0.40% after trading in a range of 82206.21 and 82834.56. There were 24 stocks advancing against 7 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Capital Goods up by 1.15%, Power up by 0.90%, Industrials up by 0.86%, Metal up by 0.73% and PSU up by 0.72%, while Realty down by 0.19%, TECK down by 0.18%, IT down by 0.17% and Healthcare down by 0.02% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Bharat Electronics up by 2.03%, Hindustan Unilever up by 1.38%, NTPC up by 1.32%, Larsen & Toubro up by 1.26% and Titan Company up by 1.16%. On the flip side, Kwality Walls (India) down by 1.70%, Tech Mahindra down by 0.84%, Eternal down by 0.81%, Bharti Airtel down by 0.55% and Infosys down by 0.38% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, with an aim to further strengthen economic ties, India called for increased collaboration in research and development (R&D), biotechnology, specialty pharmaceuticals, and advanced therapeutics with Switzerland.  In a meeting with President of the Swiss Confederation Guy Parmelin, the Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, called for Swiss investments in sectors where Switzerland has established niche technological strengths.  

During the meeting, both parties acknowledged the importance of balancing innovation with responsibility in the context of AI and highlighted that TEPA presents valuable opportunities for technological collaboration in fields such as precision engineering, health sciences, renewable energy, innovation and research and development. 

Last year, India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) implemented the trade and economic partnership agreement (TEPA). EFTA members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Goyal mentioned ‘The Agreement opens doors for 'Make in India' products to integrate into the $1 trillion market of Switzerland. From farmers and fishermen to forest dwellers, workers, women, youth, small businesses, and professionals, TEPA has opened doors to new opportunities and a brighter economic future.’ TEPA aims to facilitate investments of $100 billion into India and support the creation of one million direct jobs.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 25544.85, up by 90.50 points or 0.36% after trading in a range of 25379.75 and 25555.05. There were 39 stocks advancing against 12 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Coal India up by 2.11%, Bharat Electronics up by 1.87%, Hindustan Unilever up by 1.37%, Larsen & Toubro up by 1.26% and NTPC up by 1.25%. On the flip side, Kwality Walls (India) down by 1.19%, Eternal down by 0.77%, Tech Mahindra down by 0.75%, Infosys down by 0.63% and Grasim Industries down by 0.51% were the top losers.

Asian markets were trading mostly in red; Nikkei 225 slipped 616.83 points or 1.07% to 56,851.00, Jakarta Composite plunged 12.93 points or 0.16% to 8,261.15 and Hang Seng declined 166.94 points or 0.63% to 26,539.00.

On the flip side, Straits Times rose 4.11 points or 0.08% to 5,005.67 and KOSPI increased 120.00 points or 2.11% to 5,797.25. 
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