The Indian equity markets are navigating a period of heightened volatility as of late February 2026. After recent selling pressure, the **BSE Sensex** is hovering around the **82,225** level, while the **Nifty 50** is trading near **25,425**. The market sentiment remains cautious following a sharp single-day wipeout of approximately **2.85 lakh crore** in investor wealth earlier this week. Despite this, India's macroeconomic foundation remains robust with **GDP growth** for the third quarter of FY26 projected at **8.1%**. Top Brokerage Recommendations Leading financial firms have issued fresh "Buy" ratings on high-conviction names. **Morgan Stanley** has identified **Bharti Airtel** as a top pick with a target price of **2,450**, representing a potential upside of **22%** from its current price of **1,997**. They also remain "Overweight" on **Indian Oil Corporation (IOC)** with a target of **219**. **Motilal Oswal** is particularly bullish on **Northern Arc Capital**, setting a target of **360**. This implies a significant potential gain of **46%** from the current level of **246**. The firm also maintains a positive stance on **Polycab India** with a target of **9,600**. **Elara Securities** highlights **Delhivery** as a major opportunity, maintaining a target of **620**. At a current price of **437**, the brokerage sees a potential upside of **41%**. Additionally, they recommend **PTC India** with a target of **210**. **Nuvama Institutional Equities** continues to favor **Pidilite Industries**, assigning a target price of **1,915**, which offers a **26%** cushion from current levels. They also recommend **TVS Motor Company** with a target of **4,300**. Sectoral Trends and Performance The **Banking** sector has shown resilience, with **Nifty Bank** attempting to hold the **60,000–61,500** range. **IndusInd Bank** is recommended as a tactical buy in the **920–930** zone, eyeing a target of **1,060**. In the **Consumer** and **Agrochemical** space, **UPL** has gained momentum with a target of **830**, while **Tata Chemicals** is tipped for a move toward **780**. **Colgate-Palmolive** also remains a favorite with a target of **2,450**. The **IT sector** continues to face headwinds, recently declining by over **2%** due to global demand concerns. Conversely, the **FMCG** and **Energy** sectors have outperformed, gaining **1.71%** and **2.44%** respectively in the latest weekly cycle. Economic Indicators The broader economy is supported by a stable **Repo Rate** of **5.25%** and a healthy **10-year G-Sec yield** near **6.72%**. **Foreign Exchange Reserves** have swelled to an all-time high of **725.7 billion**, providing a strong buffer against external shocks. While **Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)** have been net sellers, **Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs)** continue to provide stability through consistent buying.