Market Brief: Indian Equities Extend Recovery Indian equity benchmarks maintained their upward trajectory for a third consecutive session on **February 18, 2026**, reinforcing a steady recovery from recent lows. The **Nifty 50** climbed **94.35 points** or **0.37%** to settle at **25,819.35**, while the **BSE Sensex** gained **283.29 points** or **0.34%** to close at **83,734.25**. Early signals for **February 19** from **Gift Nifty** suggest a positive opening, with the index trading near **25,842.00**, up approximately **85 points**. This indicates continued domestic strength despite a mixed global backdrop. Sector Performance and Key Drivers Market momentum was primarily fueled by a surge in **Metal** and **Public Sector Bank** stocks. The **Nifty Metal** index rose **1.33%**, led by a **2.9%** jump in **Tata Steel** following reports of potential U.S. tariff easing. **PSU Banks** also outperformed, gaining **1.31%** as institutional interest gravitated toward state-owned lenders. In contrast, the **Information Technology** sector remained a drag, declining by **1.2%**. Heavyweights like **Infosys** and **HCL Tech** faced selling pressure ahead of key industry summits, while **TCS** also recorded losses. Institutional Activity and Currency Domestic resilience was supported by a notable shift in institutional flows. On the latest reporting day, **Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs)** turned net buyers, injecting **1,154.4 crore** into the cash segment. **Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs)** provided additional support with a net purchase of **440.4 crore**. On the currency front, the **Indian Rupee** appreciated slightly by **6 paise** to close at **90.66** against the US Dollar. This stability is attributed to sustained foreign inflows and a cooling volatility index, with **India VIX** dropping to **12.67**, signaling reduced market nervousness. Outlook and Technical Levels The market maintains a "buy-on-dips" bias as it approaches the **26,000** psychological barrier. Analysts identify immediate resistance for the **Nifty 50** at the **25,850 – 25,900** zone. On the downside, strong support is established at **25,650**, backed by significant put writing in the options market. Global cues remain a critical factor, with investors closely monitoring **U.S. Federal Reserve** meeting minutes and movement in **Brent crude**, which recently drifted below **$82 per barrel**. This softening of energy costs is expected to benefit oil-importing economies like India. While broader market sentiment is positive, profit-booking at higher levels remains a possibility given the rapid three-day rally. Selective stock-picking in the **FMCG** and **Banking** sectors continues to be the preferred strategy for market participants.