Indian benchmark indices closed higher on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as markets successfully navigated expiry day volatility. After an initial period of weakness, the BSE Sensex rose 174 points to settle at 83,450.96. The Nifty 50 followed a similar trajectory, gaining 43 points to end the session at 25,725.40. The recovery was largely driven by a rebound in the IT sector and strong performance in PSU banks. Investor wealth saw a notable increase, with the total market capitalization of BSE-listed firms rising to approximately 470 lakh crore. Corporate Highlights **Maruti Suzuki EV Launch** The automotive major has officially entered the electric vehicle space with the e VITARA. The electric SUV is priced at 10.99 lakh under a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model. Under this structure, the battery cost is separated from the vehicle price. Owners pay a battery usage fee of 3.99 per kilometer. The vehicle offers two battery options, 49kWh and 61kWh, with a maximum claimed range of 543 km. **Dabur Leadership Shift** Dabur India has announced a strategic management restructuring effective April 15, 2026. Herjit S. Bhalla, formerly of The Hershey Company and Unilever, has been appointed as CEO of the India Business. In tandem, current CEO Mohit Malhotra has been elevated to the role of Global CEO. This move aims to blend Dabur's traditional heritage with global consumer-goods expertise. **Infrastructure Gains** GR Infraprojects continues its momentum in the infrastructure segment. The company recently secured a Letter of Acceptance from West Central Railway for a project valued at 1,897.51 crore. This contract involves the construction of a new railway line in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, the company has set February 19, 2026, as the record date for its interim dividend for the current fiscal year. Sector and Market Trends * **IT Sector:** Major players like Infosys and HCL Tech led the recovery, gaining between 0.5% and 2%. * **PSU Dividends:** February 18 served as the record date for several high-profile dividends, including Coal India (5.50 per share) and HAL (35 per share). * **Foreign Inflows:** Market sentiment is being supported by a stabilization in FII flows and a cautiously optimistic outlook for GDP growth, projected near 7% for the upcoming cycle. The broader market outperformed the benchmarks, with the BSE SmallCap index rising 0.86%, indicating wide-based participation across sectors.