- The BSE Sensex closed 203.22 points lower, a decline of 0.27%, settling at 75,735.96. It traded within a range of 75,794.15 to 75,463.01 throughout the day.
- Similarly, the NSE Nifty50 shed 19.75 points, or 0.09%, to close at 22,913.15. The index moved within a range of 22,923.85 to 22,812.75 before settling near the lower end.
However, broader market indices outperformed the benchmarks:
- The Nifty Smallcap100 index gained 1.43%.
- The Nifty Midcap100 index rose 1.26%.
Impact on the stock market
Sectors that gained:
- Nifty Auto, Public Sector Banks (PSB), Metal, Realty, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), and Media sectors all rose over 1%.
Sectors that declined:
- Bank Nifty, Nifty Financial Services, IT, Pharma, and Private Banks witnessed losses of up to 0.75%.
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| Sector/Index | Performance |
| IT & BPM sector | -0.14% |
| Healthcare sector | 0.09% |
| Oil & Gas sector | 1.35% |
| Real estate sector | 1.12% |
| PSU Bank in India | 1.70% |
Top gainers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
| Shriram Finance Share Price | 580.85 | 4.13 |
| NTPC Share Price | 325.15 | 3.29 |
| M&M Share Price | 2,839.45 | 2.98 |
| Bharat Elec Share Price | 260.25 | 2.70 |
| Adani Ports Share Price | 1,111.70 | 2.66 |
Top losers today
| Company | Price | Change % |
| HDFC Bank Share Price | 1,687.10 | -2.32 |
| Maruti Suzuki Share Price | 12,440.65 | -1.94 |
| Tech Mahindra Share Price | 1,657.85 | -1.66 |
| TATA Cons. Prod Share Price | 1,008.90 | -1.60 |
| HCL Tech Share Price | 1,687.55 | -1.45 |
Market aftermath: Impact on stocks
Radico Khaitan jumps 5% as whisky brand expands to CSD
Radico Khaitan shares surged 5.3% to ₹2,124 after announcing the expansion of its premium whisky brand, Royal Ranthambore, into the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) network.
- The company aims to capture 10% of the CSD whisky market over the next year.
- Sales of blended scotch whisky in CSD exceed 10 lakh cases annually, and this move could significantly boost revenue.
- Despite today’s rally, Radico Khaitan shares are still down 20% year-to-date.
This expansion aligns with the company’s broader strategy to strengthen its luxury and semi-luxury portfolio, which generated ₹100 crore in Q3 FY25 and ₹250 crore in the first nine months of FY25. The company expects sales from this segment to cross ₹500 crore in FY26.
Also read: Radico Khaitan Ltd.
Bharat Electronics (BEL) gains 2.5% on ₹1,200 crore defence deal
BEL shares climbed 2.5% to ₹260 after signing a ₹1,220 crore contract with the Ministry of Defence for supplying 149 Software Defined Radios (SDRs) to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
- These advanced radios will enhance secure communication, collaboration, and situational awareness for the ICG.
- The contract aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, supporting local manufacturing of military-grade communication systems.
- The deal also aims to strengthen maritime security, benefiting operations like law enforcement, search & rescue, and fisheries protection.
This is a strategic win for BEL, reinforcing its position in India’s defence communication sector.
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Vesuvius India soars 7% on stock split announcement
Shares of Vesuvius India Ltd surged 7.3% to ₹3,857.9 as the board announced it would consider a stock split for the first time ever.
- The board will meet on February 26 to discuss the stock split and a potential dividend payout.
- Over the past 12 months, Vesuvius India shares have gained 11%.
A stock split typically increases liquidity and makes shares more affordable for retail investors, which could drive further demand for the stock.
Crude oil: global factors weigh on prices
Crude oil futures declined as US crude inventories increased, raising supply concerns.
Brent crude (April futures) fell 0.42% to $75.72 per barrel.
WTI crude (April futures) dropped 0.51% to $71.73 per barrel.
In the Indian market (MCX):
- March crude oil futures fell 0.65% to ₹6,247.
- April crude oil futures declined 0.73% to ₹6,256.
Why the drop?
- US crude inventories rose by 3.33 million barrels, following a 9 million barrel surge last week, as per the American Petroleum Institute (API).
- Gasoline inventories also increased by 2.83 million barrels, signalling lower consumption.
- The US Federal Reserve minutes highlighted inflation risks, adding uncertainty to global demand.
- The US import tariffs announcement could further impact crude oil demand in the global market.
While oil prices are volatile, traders are waiting for official inventory data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) before making bigger moves.
Conclusion:
- Sensex and Nifty ended in the red, but small-cap and mid-cap stocks outperformed.
- Radico Khaitan, BEL, and Vesuvius India saw strong gains on company-specific news.
- Crude oil prices declined amid rising inventories and macroeconomic concerns.
The market remains highly sector-driven, and today’s action shows the importance of looking beyond benchmark indices for investment opportunities. As we move forward, keep an eye on corporate earnings, sectoral trends, and global economic indicators for the next big moves in the market.
For more stock market insights, check out the StockGro blog.
