Indian benchmark indices concluded the recent trading session with a resilient recovery, regaining ground after previous sessions of steep losses. The S&P BSE Sensex settled higher by 316.57 points, or 0.38%, to close at 82,814.71. Simultaneously, the Nifty 50 advanced 116.90 points, or 0.46%, finishing above the psychological 25,550 level at 25,571.25. Market sentiment remains cautious as participants eye the monthly Futures & Options (F&O) expiry scheduled for February 24, 2026. Volatility is anticipated to stay elevated due to shifting global trade dynamics, particularly following a series of U.S. tariff adjustments that have seen rates fluctuate between 10% and 15%. IDFC First Bank has entered the spotlight following the disclosure of a ₹590 crore fraud at its Chandigarh branch involving Haryana Government accounts. The bank has formally appointed KPMG to conduct an independent forensic audit and has suspended four employees. A management conference call held on February 23 aimed to address stakeholder concerns regarding internal controls. Vedanta continues to see active interest, with its share price rising approximately 0.94% to settle at ₹682.45. The company recently mobilized $350 million in fresh borrowing and has scheduled a board meeting for February 25. Strong return on equity (ROE) figures of 36.36% are providing a fundamental floor despite a quarterly revenue dip. Bharti Airtel remains a high-value turnover stock, even as it faces short-term technical resistance. The telecom major reported a robust Q3 performance with consolidated revenue rising 19.6% year-on-year to ₹53,982 crore. While the stock traded near ₹1,991.9 with marginal daily losses, its long-term bias remains positive supported by a 60.4% EBITDA margin in its India business. Broader economic indicators show a mixed landscape. The HSBC India Composite PMI rose to 59.3 in February, signaling strong factory output. However, GDP growth projections for Q3 FY26 suggest a moderation to 7.2% due to a contraction in government capital spending and a slowdown in the services sector. The India VIX, a measure of market fear, rose by 6.59% to 14.35, reflecting the uncertainty surrounding geopolitical tensions and crude oil prices. Brent futures currently hover near $66 to $72 per barrel, influenced by ongoing standoffs in West Asia. These factors are expected to dictate the near-term direction of the indices.