{"id":10686,"date":"2026-02-24T13:03:05","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T13:03:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/?p=10686"},"modified":"2026-02-24T13:03:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T13:03:07","slug":"market-outlook-for-india-24-february-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/market-updates\/market-outlook-for-india-24-february-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Market Outlook for India – 24\u00a0February\u00a02026"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"nifty<\/figure>\n\n\n

Major indices<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Index<\/th>Closing level<\/th>% change vs previous day<\/th>Notes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Nifty 50<\/strong><\/td>25,424.65<\/td>\u20131.12 %<\/strong><\/td>Fell after profit\u2011taking and heavy selling in technology stocks; closed 288 points lower.<\/td><\/tr>
BSE Sensex<\/strong><\/td>82,225.92<\/td>\u20131.28 %<\/strong><\/td>Lost over 1,068 points as renewed worries around global trade and AI\u2011driven disruption triggered broad\u2011based selling.<\/td><\/tr>
Nifty Next 50<\/strong><\/td>69,778.45<\/td>+0.08 %<\/strong><\/td>Managed a small gain, helped by strength in energy, metal and FMCG heavyweights.<\/td><\/tr>
Nifty Bank<\/strong><\/td>61,047.30<\/td>\u20130.35 %<\/strong><\/td>Banks fell modestly as investors booked profits; no fresh PSU bank merger plans were announced.<\/td><\/tr>
India VIX (volatility index)<\/strong><\/td>~14.6<\/td>Slightly higher<\/td>Volatility remained elevated amid F&O expiry and global uncertainty.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sectoral performance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sector index<\/th>Closing level<\/th>% change<\/th>Remarks<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Nifty IT<\/strong><\/td>30,053.50<\/td>\u20134.74 %<\/strong><\/td>Worst\u2011performing sector; every constituent fell sharply after a research report heightened fears that artificial intelligence could disrupt legacy IT service models.<\/td><\/tr>
Nifty Auto<\/strong><\/td>27,950.00<\/td>\u20130.45 %<\/strong><\/td>Eased on profit\u2011taking; auto shares have rallied recently.<\/td><\/tr>
Nifty FMCG<\/strong><\/td>52,235.25<\/td>+0.19 %<\/strong><\/td>Defensive buying lifted consumer\u2011staple counters.<\/td><\/tr>
Nifty Pharma\/Healthcare<\/strong><\/td>Pharma: 22,632.05, Healthcare: 14,665.35<\/td>+0.24 % \/ +0.22 %<\/strong><\/td>Pharma shares gained on the back of US FDA approvals and a tilt toward defensive sectors.<\/td><\/tr>
Nifty Oil & Gas<\/strong><\/td>12,211.45<\/td>+0.50 %<\/strong><\/td>Crude prices firmed; energy shares closed higher.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other sector highlights:<\/em> energy, metals and FMCG stocks lent support, while public\u2011sector banks saw mild losses. The IT sell\u2011off weighed heavily on market sentiment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top gainers and losers (selected stocks)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Top gainers<\/th>LTP (\u20b9)<\/th>% change<\/th>Notes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Bandhan Bank<\/strong><\/td>180.55<\/td>+3.97 %<\/strong><\/td>Continued its multi\u2011day rally as bargain hunters accumulated the stock.<\/td><\/tr>
Waaree Energies<\/strong><\/td>3,023.50<\/td>+3.69 %<\/strong><\/td>Solar\u2011equipment manufacturer gained on a 500 MW module order from a domestic power producer.<\/td><\/tr>
AU Small Finance Bank<\/strong><\/td>1,002.20<\/td>+2.88 %<\/strong><\/td>Benefited from strong traction in deposits and stable asset quality.<\/td><\/tr>
Hitachi Energy India<\/strong><\/td>24,903.00<\/td>+2.72 %<\/strong><\/td>Extended gains on expectations of increased grid\u2011investment spending.<\/td><\/tr>
Torrent Pharmaceuticals<\/strong><\/td>4,397.90<\/td>+2.10 %<\/strong><\/td>Helped by renewed interest in healthcare shares.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Top losers<\/th>LTP (\u20b9)<\/th>% change<\/th>Notes<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
LTI Mindtree<\/strong><\/td>4,501.00<\/td>\u20136.84 %<\/strong><\/td>Fell to a one\u2011year low as the tech rout intensified; investors worried about AI\u2011driven margin pressure.<\/td><\/tr>
Tech Mahindra<\/strong><\/td>1,345.40<\/td>\u20136.63 %<\/strong><\/td>Another major victim of the IT sell\u2011off; sharp volume\u2011driven decline.<\/td><\/tr>
Persistent Systems<\/strong><\/td>4,662.00<\/td>\u20136.34 %<\/strong><\/td>Continued to slide after multiple downgrades amid AI fears.<\/td><\/tr>
HCL Technologies<\/strong><\/td>1,339.20<\/td>\u20136.10 %<\/strong><\/td>IT heavyweight lost ground; traders switched to defensives.<\/td><\/tr>
Coforge<\/strong><\/td>1,212.20<\/td>\u20135.96 %<\/strong><\/td>Declined on concerns about slowing global IT spending.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Other notable movers:<\/em> Indoco Remedies (+7 %) surged after receiving U.S. FDA approval for a Brivaracetam oral solution. Pace Digitek rose ~3 % on winning a purchase order from Reliance Industries. One MobiKwik Systems jumped ~13 % after its broking subsidiary received approval from BSE. Natco Pharma and Endurance Technologies gained more than 5 %, while L&T Technology Services, Infosys, Tata Elxsi and other IT names fell 5\u20138 %.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What drove the market lower?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  • AI\u2011related tech sell\u2011off:<\/strong> A widely circulated research note intensified fears that artificial intelligence could disrupt India\u2019s traditional IT\u2011services model. Technology stocks-particularly LTI\u00a0Mindtree, Tech\u00a0Mahindra, Persistent\u00a0Systems and HCL\u00a0Tech-led the decline and pushed the Nifty\u00a0IT index down by almost 5\u00a0%.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Tariff uncertainty:<\/strong> U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose new 15\u00a0% global tariffs, reversing the previous week\u2019s relief provided by the U.S. Supreme Court. The rhetoric unsettled global markets and raised concerns over exports and corporate margins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Rising crude oil and weaker rupee:<\/strong> Brent crude hovered near a seven\u2011month high and the rupee slid to 90.96 per U.S. dollar, stoking fears about imported inflation and widening trade deficits.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • F&O expiry and profit\u2011taking:<\/strong> The monthly derivatives expiry led to heightened volatility and prompted traders to book profits after a two\u2011session winning streak.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mixed global markets:<\/strong> Global equities were broadly weak. U.S. benchmarks (Dow\u00a0\u20131.66\u00a0%, S&P\u00a0500\u00a0\u20131.04\u00a0%, Nasdaq\u00a0\u20131.13\u00a0%) slumped on AI\u2011disruption worries. European shares slipped as traders waited for clarity on U.S. tariffs. China kept its loan\u2011prime rates unchanged, while South Korea and Taiwan rallied on demand for AI\u2011linked hardware stocks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Global cues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \n
    • United States:<\/strong> Wall Street indices fell sharply overnight. IBM stock plunged more than 13\u00a0% on concerns about outdated programming systems, and several tech giants (Microsoft, CrowdStrike, Amazon) declined as AI disruption worries weighed. Traders also braced for the economic impact of President Trump\u2019s proposed global tariffs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Europe:<\/strong> European benchmarks were slightly lower; investors weighed stronger euro\u2011zone PMI data against trade uncertainty and weak banking stocks. Germany\u2019s DAX fell about 0.2\u00a0% in afternoon deals, while France\u2019s CAC\u00a040 and the UK\u2019s FTSE\u00a0100 were flat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Asia:<\/strong> China\u2019s central bank left its one\u2011year and five\u2011year Loan Prime Rates unchanged at 3.0\u00a0% and 3.5\u00a0% respectively. Japanese and mainland Chinese markets were closed for holidays. The Hang\u00a0Seng added more than 2.5\u00a0%, while South Korea\u2019s Kospi gained nearly 1\u00a0% thanks to AI\u2011linked chip stocks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Commodities:<\/strong> Gold and silver retreated after recent gains, while Brent crude hovered above US$71 per barrel. The rupee weakened to ~\u20b990.96 per US dollar.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Stocks & corporate news to watch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
        \n
      • Bharti\u00a0Airtel:<\/strong> The telecom major plans to capitalise its Airtel\u00a0Money NBFC with roughly \u20b920,000\u00a0crore (70\u00a0% from Airtel and 30\u00a0% from Bharti\u00a0Enterprises) over the next few years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Chalet\u00a0Hotels:<\/strong> Board approved a \u20b9632.8\u00a0crore investment in a 330\u2011room luxury hotel project in Hyderabad.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Patel\u00a0Engineering:<\/strong> Emerged as the lowest bidder for a \u20b9133\u00a0crore irrigation project in Maharashtra.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Samvardhana\u00a0Motherson\u00a0International:<\/strong> Opened a new automotive lighting facility in Sanand, Gujarat, through a 50:50 joint venture with Marelli, strengthening its auto\u2011components portfolio.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • RBL\u00a0Bank:<\/strong> Received RBI approval to reappoint Chandan\u00a0Sinha as non\u2011executive chairman from May\u00a02026 to May\u00a02029.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Edelweiss\u00a0Financial Services:<\/strong> Promoters acquired a 1\u00a0% stake worth roughly \u20b9118\u00a0crore via a bulk deal.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Pace\u00a0Digitek:<\/strong> Awarded a purchase order worth \u20b9158.71\u00a0crore from Reliance Industries, boosting the stock.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Indoco\u00a0Remedies:<\/strong> Gained after the U.S. FDA approved its Brivaracetam oral solution.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Mobikwik:<\/strong> Subsidiary Mobikwik Securities Broking received approval from BSE to start stock broking; shares jumped.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Eris\u00a0Lifesciences & Natco\u00a0Pharma:<\/strong> Partnered to co\u2011launch semaglutide (a diabetes medicine) in India by 2026.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        Outlook for 25 February 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
          \n
        1. Technical levels:<\/strong> The Nifty\u00a050 ended near the lower band of its recent trading range. Immediate resistance lies in the 25,500\u201325,600<\/strong> zone; a break above this band could trigger short\u2011covering toward 25,700<\/strong>. On the downside, 25,300<\/strong> is the first support; a decisive drop below this level may extend weakness to 25,200<\/strong> or even 25,000<\/strong>. The Sensex faces resistance near 82,800\u201383,000<\/strong> and support around 81,800<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Market tone:<\/strong> With the IT index oversold and valuations in some sectors turning attractive, bargain hunting<\/strong> may emerge, but sentiment is expected to remain cautious. The expiry hangover, uncertain global trade outlook, elevated oil prices and a soft rupee could keep markets volatile. Defensive pockets like pharma, FMCG and select energy\/metal names may continue to attract interest, while technology shares might remain under pressure until clarity on AI disruption and U.S. tariff policies emerges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        3. Key triggers to watch:<\/strong>\n
            \n
          • Details on President Trump\u2019s proposed tariffs and any subsequent global responses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • U.S. and European economic data (consumer confidence, PMI readings) and their impact on global risk appetite.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Movement in crude oil and the rupee.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Institutional flows-FIIs were recently net buyers, but any reversal could affect momentum.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Stock\u2011specific catalysts such as corporate announcements, new orders or regulatory approvals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

            Overall tone:<\/strong> Expect a choppy and range\u2011bound session<\/strong> with a slight negative bias until there is clarity on global trade policy. Traders are likely to employ a sell\u2011on\u2011rise<\/em> strategy in technology stocks and rotate into defensives and export\u2011linked themes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            Major indices Index Closing level % change vs previous day Notes Nifty 50 25,424.65 \u20131.12 % Fell after profit\u2011taking and heavy selling in technology stocks; closed 288 points lower. BSE Sensex 82,225.92 \u20131.28 % Lost over 1,068 points as renewed worries around global trade and AI\u2011driven disruption triggered broad\u2011based selling. Nifty Next 50 69,778.45 +0.08 % Managed a small gain, helped by strength in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":8213,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_ayudawp_aiss_exclude":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[512],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10686","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-market-updates"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10686","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10686"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10686\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10687,"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10686\/revisions\/10687"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10686"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10686"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lemonn.co.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10686"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}