Market Brief: Nifty 50 Performance & Outlook The Indian equity market demonstrated resilience as the Nifty 50 concluded the trading week on February 20, 2026, at **25,571.25**. This represents a gain of **116.90 points**, or **0.46%**, effectively reclaiming levels above the crucial **25,550** psychological mark. The recovery follows a period of sharp volatility where the index briefly dipped below **25,500** earlier in the week. Sectoral Trends and Capital Flows Financials and metals acted as the primary engines of growth. Sector-specific strength was prominent in **Nifty Metals** and **PSU Banks**, with heavyweights like Hindalco rising **3.21%** and NTPC gaining **2.64%**. Conversely, the IT sector remains a significant laggard, continuing to face pressure from global technology shifts and concerns regarding AI-related service disruptions. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have shown a notable shift in sentiment, turning net buyers in February with total equity inflows reaching **16,911.55 crore**. This reversal comes after substantial outflows in January and is supported by steady domestic institutional buying, which added over **11,400 crore** to the market this month. Technical Indicators The technical landscape remains a blend of long-term stability and short-term caution. The Nifty continues to hold above its **200-day Exponential Moving Average (EMA)**, maintaining a constructive primary trend. However, immediate hurdles are visible at the **25,600** and **25,900** zones. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is currently hovering between **45 and 46**, signaling a lack of aggressive upward momentum. A bearish crossover in momentum indicators suggests that while the floor is well-supported near **25,300**, the index may enter a consolidative phase before attempting a fresh breakout toward the **26,100** level. Macro Triggers Market participants are shifting focus toward upcoming domestic data points, specifically the **India Q3 GDP** release. Global sentiment is being shaped by geopolitical developments and progress regarding the **India-US trade agreement**, which has already contributed to a strengthening rupee, recently quoted at **90.66** against the US dollar. Volatility as measured by the India VIX remains elevated near **13.46**, suggesting that while the broader outlook is cautiously optimistic, intraday swings are likely to persist. Investors are monitoring the **25,100–25,200** range as the primary support zone for the coming sessions.