**Market Pulse: Range-Bound Action and Strategic Shifts** Indian equity markets witnessed a volatile session on Thursday, February 26, 2026, eventually ending with minimal changes. The BSE Sensex closed at 82,248, down just 27 points, while the Nifty 50 finished marginally higher by 14 points at 25,496. Investors remained cautious ahead of key GDP data releases and shifting global cues. Despite intraday pressure, sectors such as healthcare, PSU banks, and select auto stocks like Tata Motors provided support, counteracting losses in the heavyweight financial space. **Vishal Mega Mart: Major Block Deal Imminent** The retail sector is in focus as Samayat Services LLP, the promoter entity of Vishal Mega Mart, prepares to offload a 6.5% stake. The planned sale involves 30.5 crore shares with a floor price set at 115 INR per share. This price represents a 10% discount from the recent closing price of 127.53 INR. The deal is valued at approximately 3,508 crore INR and includes a 150-day lock-in period for the remaining promoter holding. **Bharti Airtel: Scaling the NBFC Horizon** Bharti Airtel is positioning its NBFC arm, Airtel Money, as a primary growth engine. The company plans to infuse 20,000 crore INR into the subsidiary over the next few years to scale digital lending operations. Bharti Airtel will contribute 70% of this capital, with the remainder coming from the promoter group. The move leverages the company’s vast database and 500+ data scientists to target India’s underserved credit market. **Bandhan Bank: Regulatory Green Light** In the banking sector, Bandhan Bank shares rose nearly 2% following a significant regulatory update. The Reserve Bank of India has granted approval for SBI Mutual Fund to acquire an aggregate holding of up to 9.99% in the lender. The approval is valid for one year and requires SBI Mutual Fund to maintain its stake within the stipulated 9.99% ceiling. This strategic investment is seen as a vote of confidence in the bank’s long-term stability and growth prospects. **Global Indicators and Commodities** Global markets showed a mixed performance as tech stocks recovered following strong results from major US chipmakers. Locally, the Indian Rupee remained steady, closing at 90.90 against the US Dollar. In the energy market, Brent crude prices hovered around 70.93 USD per barrel. Gold prices on the MCX saw a slight cooling trend, trading near 159,700 INR per 10 grams for the latest contract.