Market Brief: Friday the 13th Volatility The historical "Friday the 13th" superstition on Dalal Street continues to face a reality check. Data shows that the Indian market has actually closed higher in **9 of the last 16** such sessions, reflecting a positive hit rate of **56.25%**. Major historical gains on this date include a **4%** jump on March 13, 2020, and steady **1%** climbs observed in late 2019, 2021, and as recently as December 13, 2024. Today's Market Performance Despite the historical resilience, the current session on Friday, February 13, 2026, saw benchmark indices succumb to heavy selling pressure. The **BSE Sensex** plunged **813.20 points** (0.97%) to trade near **82,850**, while the **NSE Nifty 50** dropped **263.45 points** (1.02%) to slip below the **25,550** level. The downturn wiped out approximately **Rs 4.62 lakh crore** in investor wealth as market capitalization contracted sharply during afternoon trade. Sectoral Impact and Key Drags The technology sector bore the brunt of the sell-off, with the **Nifty IT index** crashing over **5.5%**. This decline was fueled by global concerns regarding tech business models and valuation repricing. * **Infosys** fell over **6%** * **Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)** declined by **4.8%** * **HCL Technologies** shed **4.4%** Other sectors also faced heat, with metals and realty leading the broader decline. **Hindalco** emerged as a top loser, dropping over **5%**, followed by **Hindustan Unilever** and **Adani Enterprises**, which saw cuts of over **2.5%**. Currency and Global Context The Indian Rupee remained under pressure, trading at a record low of **90.57** against the US Dollar. In the commodities space, **Gold** prices rose by **1%** to reach **Rs 1,54,300 per 10 grams**, as investors moved toward safe-haven assets. The domestic slump followed a weak lead from Wall Street, where the **Nasdaq** tumbled **2%** and the **S&P 500** fell **1.5%** in the previous session. Resilience in Select Heavyweights While the broader market struggled, a few stocks managed to trade against the tide. **Bajaj Finance** led the gainers with a **2.02%** rise, supported by **Eicher Motors** and **Apollo Hospitals**. Banking heavyweights like **HDFC Bank** and **Bharti Airtel** also showed marginal resilience, preventing a deeper slide in the benchmark indices.