Market Brief: India Equity Outlook 2026 The Indian equity market continues to demonstrate resilience as it enters the second half of February 2026. Benchmark indices have maintained a stable trajectory, supported by robust domestic liquidity and a recovery in heavy-weighted sectors. Current Market Performance The **Nifty 50** recently settled at **25,819.35**, while the **BSE Sensex** climbed to **83,734.25**. Market volatility, as measured by the India VIX, has cooled to approximately **12.22**, indicating a shift toward calmer investor sentiment despite global uncertainties. Earnings growth for the broader market is projected to remain healthy at approximately **15%**. This is bolstered by steady GST collections and a constructive macroeconomic backdrop, providing a solid floor for domestic equities. Sectoral Trends and Strategic Positioning Financials and consumption remain the preferred pillars for steady growth. The financial sector, particularly state-owned and private banks, has shown strong momentum with gains of **1.3%** in recent sessions. This is driven by healthy asset quality and credit growth expectations holding near **15%**. The consumption theme is evolving, with a clear tilt toward digital platform companies and quick commerce. These "new-age" players are outpacing traditional staples by capturing channel shifts rather than relying solely on organic demand growth. The IT Sector: A Cautious Stance The Information Technology index continues to face headwinds, recently declining by **1.2%**. Market veterans, including Samir Arora, advise a disciplined and patient approach to this space. Current guidance for major IT firms remains muted at **3% to 5%** growth. Conviction in the sector is expected to return only when visibility improves and companies can demonstrate clear monetization of artificial intelligence against legacy business losses. Key Economic Indicators * **Indian Rupee:** Trading near **90.66** against the US Dollar. * **Repo Rate:** Stabilized at **5.25%** following cumulative cuts in the previous year. * **FII Sentiment:** Foreign flows have stabilized, shifting away from aggressive selling toward selective accumulation. Investors are encouraged to focus on sectors with clear year-to-year visibility, such as hospitals, hotels, and auto ancillaries, while avoiding themes with high technological disruption risks. Maintaining a "buy-on-dips" strategy remains the prevailing approach as the Nifty 50 eyes the **26,000** resistance level.