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Markets continue to trade higher in late afternoon session
Feb-20-2026

Benchmarks continued to trade higher in late afternoon session. Investors remained optimistic with India joining Pax Silica, a US-led strategic alliance, specifically designed to build a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI). Besides, rise in India’s private sector activity in the month of February has kept the sentiments upbeat. According to the data report, the HSBC Flash India PMI Composite Output Index - a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of India's manufacturing and service sectors - rose from 58.4 in January to 59.3 in February, indicating the strongest rate of expansion for three months.

On the global front, Asian equity markets were trading mostly in red amid escalating geopolitical tensions between United States and Iran. European equity markets were trading higher on the back of strong corporate earnings and easing AI concerns.

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 82961.67, up by 463.53 points or 0.56% after trading in a range of 82206.21 and 83132.08. There were 23 stocks advancing against 7 stocks declining on the index.

The top gaining sectoral indices on the BSE were Power up by 2.10%, Capital Goods up by 1.90%, Industrials up by 1.45%, Utilities up by 1.40% and Metal up by 1.36%, while IT down by 0.68%, TECK down by 0.57%, Telecom down by 0.10% were the few losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were NTPC up by 2.62%, Larsen & Toubro up by 2.32%, Bajaj Finance up by 1.68%, Hindustan Unilever up by 1.60% and Tata Steel up by 1.53%. On the flip side, Tech Mahindra down by 1.20%, Infosys down by 0.87%, HCL Technologies down by 0.67%, Bharti Airtel down by 0.54% and Eternal down by 0.53% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, India has joined Pax Silica, a US-led strategic alliance, specifically designed to build a secure, resilient, and innovation-driven supply chain for critical minerals and artificial intelligence (AI). This comes amid ongoing talks to finalise the proposed trade deal between the two countries and move forward on several other initiatives to solidify bilateral ties after a spell of severe strain in relations.

The pact was signed at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and US envoy to India Sergio Gor among others. The Pax Silica initiative was launched by the US on December 12, 2025.  The Pax Silica Summit was held in Washington on December 12, 2025 where partner nations signed the Pax Silica declaration.

The declaration lays out a shared vision of deep economic and technology cooperation across supply chains -- from raw materials through semiconductors and AI infrastructure -- and commitment to mutual prosperity and security. The member nations of the Pax Silica included Australia, Greece, Israel, Japan, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 25607.75, up by 153.40 points or 0.60% after trading in a range of 25379.75 and 25663.55. There were 41 stocks advancing against 10 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Hindalco up by 2.96%, NTPC up by 2.62%, Larsen & Toubro up by 2.32%, JSW Steel up by 1.64% and SBI Life Insurance Company up by 1.57%. On the flip side, Kwality Wall's (India) down by 1.19%, Tech Mahindra down by 1.09%, Infosys down by 0.93%, HCL Technologies down by 0.68% and Wipro down by 0.56% were the top losers.

Asian equity markets were trading mostly in red; Nikkei 225 slipped 644.83 points or 1.13% to 56,823.00, Hang Seng declined 276.94 points or 1.05% to 26,429.00 and Shanghai Composite weakened 51.95 points or 1.27% to 4,082.07, while KOSPI increased 131.28 points or 2.26% to 5,808.53 and Straits Times rose 6.01 points or 0.12% to 5,007.57. Meanwhile, Taiwanese and Chinese markets were closed on account of holiday.

European equity markets were trading higher; UK’s FTSE 100 increased 48.9 points or 0.46% to 10,675.94, France’s CAC rose 61.02 points or 0.73% to 8,459.80 and Germany’s DAX gained 107.53 points or 0.43% to 25,151.10.
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