Market Overview The Indian equity market concluded the session on February 12, 2026, with the Nifty 50 ending a four-day winning streak. The index declined by **146.65 points**, or **0.57%**, to settle at **25,807.20**. Despite the intraday volatility that saw a low of **25,752.40**, the benchmark managed to hold above its **20-day moving average**, currently tracked near **25,595**, sustaining the broader recovery narrative. The Sensex mirrored this downward movement, shedding **558.72 points** to close at **83,674.92**. Market sentiment was weighed down by a significant sell-off in the technology sector, while the India VIX rose by **1.52%** to **11.73**, signaling a slight increase in trader anxiety. Sector Performance and Tech Drag The IT sector faced intense pressure as the Nifty IT index plunged **5.51%** to close at **33,160.20**. Investor caution spiked following the launch of new competitive products from global AI firms, which raised concerns over the traditional business models of domestic software giants. Top losers in the space included Tech Mahindra, which dropped **6.40%**, followed by Infosys at **5.97%** and TCS at **5.77%**. Conversely, the Financial Services and Metals sectors showed resilience. Bajaj Finance led the gainers with a **3.31%** rise, while Shriram Finance advanced **2.48%** to reach a new 52-week high of **1,069.50**. Technical Levels and Outlook Technical indicators suggest the Nifty faces immediate resistance at the psychological **26,000** mark. Derivatives data indicates the highest Open Interest in Call options remains at this level. On the downside, immediate support is established at **25,700**, with a more crucial support zone ranging between **25,500** and **25,650**. The market is also processing fresh economic data, as India’s January retail inflation was reported at a lower-than-expected **2.75%** under a revised base year. This cooling inflation may provide a cushion against further aggressive downside, keeping the medium-term outlook cautiously optimistic. Tactical Stock Opportunities **Shriram Finance** The stock has demonstrated strong momentum, currently trading above all major moving averages. It recently hit a 52-week peak of **1,069.50** on the back of nine consecutive quarters of positive results. With a record quarterly net profit of **2,529.67 crore**, analysts see further upside potential as institutional holding remains high at over **68%**. **Max Healthcare** Max Healthcare remains a tactical focus in the healthcare services space. The stock recently witnessed a surge in volume, closing near **1,055.50**. While valuations are considered premium at a P/E of approximately **72**, the company reported a **35.2%** year-on-year growth in net profit for the December quarter, reaching **187 crore**. Support for the stock is currently identified around the **1,020** level.