Market Overview The Indian equity market experienced a significant downturn on **February 19, 2026**, snapping a three-day winning streak. Benchmark indices faced heavy selling pressure as investors opted for profit booking near all-time highs. The **Nifty 50** plummeted by **1.6%**, closing at **25,413** points. This sharp decline dragged the index below its short-term consolidation range, breaking through both the **50-day** and **21-day EMA**. Technical analysts now eye **25,200** as a critical support zone. The **BSE Sensex** followed suit, dropping **1.48%** or **1,236 points** to end at **82,498**. The broader market sentiment turned cautious as roughly **₹3 lakh crore** in market capitalization was erased in a single session. Sector Performance While most sectors ended in the red, there were distinct outliers. **Financials** and **Metals** showed relative resilience earlier in the week, but ultimately succumbed to the broader sell-off. **Nifty Bank** closed near **61,200**, down approximately **0.6%**. The index formed a bearish engulfing candle on the daily chart, indicating strong profit-taking at elevated levels. Immediate support is seen at **60,300**. In the commodities space, **Brent Crude** surged to approximately **$89 per barrel** due to geopolitical tensions. Conversely, **Gold** prices on the MCX saw a decline, trading near **₹154,850 per 10g**, while the **Indian Rupee** remained steady at **90.67** against the US Dollar. Brokerage Recommendations Top firms have issued fresh calls for specific stocks, highlighting significant upside potential despite the current volatility. **Citi on LIC Housing Finance** The firm maintains a **Buy** rating with a target of **₹730**. Given the current price of **₹521**, this suggests a potential upside of **40%**. **Motilal Oswal on Tata Steel** A **Buy** recommendation remains with a target of **₹240**. Currently trading at **₹209**, the stock offers an estimated **14%** return potential. **Elara Capital on Safari Industries** Analysts have reiterated a **Buy** call, raising the target price to **₹3,248**. With the stock at **₹1,803**, this implies a massive **80%** upside. **Bajaj Broking on IndusInd Bank & UPL** IndusInd Bank and UPL are highlighted as top picks for a **3-month** horizon, targeting recovery from recent support levels. **Morgan Stanley on Infosys** The brokerage maintains an **Equal Weight** stance with a target of **₹1,760**, projecting a **26%** gain from the current price of **₹1,391**. Global Context The domestic sell-off occurred despite a firm performance in US markets overnight. The **S&P 500** and **Nasdaq** gained **0.56%** and **0.78%** respectively, supported by robust technology earnings. However, Asian markets presented a mixed bag. Japan's **Nikkei 225** advanced **0.66%**, while major Chinese markets remained closed for the Lunar New Year. The divergence between strong global tech cues and domestic profit-booking highlights a shift toward local risk management.