Equities showed resilience on Thursday, February 26, 2026, as domestic benchmarks attempted to maintain their recovery momentum following a period of high volatility. The market sentiment remains a tug-of-war between positive global cues and domestic sector-specific pressures. The Nifty 50 is currently trading near the 25,482 level, showing a modest daily gain of 0.23%. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex settled around 82,276, up by approximately 50 points. Investors are navigating a range-bound environment as the market consolidates after recent sharp swings. Immediate support for the Nifty 50 is firmly placed at 25,300. A breach below this level could expose the index to the 25,100–25,150 range. On the upside, resistance is visible between 25,600 and 25,750. Technical analysts suggest a decisive move above 25,800 is necessary to trigger a rally toward the 26,000 psychological mark. Institutional activity has provided a significant cushion to the markets. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) showed robust confidence, recording net purchases of 5,118.57 crore. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) also turned net buyers in the cash segment with an inflow of 2,991.64 crore, signaling a potential shift in risk appetite. Sectoral performance was led by the Nifty Metal index, which surged 2.7% following price-target upgrades for major steel players. The IT sector also staged a recovery, gaining 1.57% as fears regarding AI-led labor disruptions began to ease. Auto and Pharma indices both advanced by 1.85%, supported by steady demand and regulatory approvals. In contrast, PSU Banks and the Oil & Gas sector faced selling pressure, closing in the red. The broader market remains cautious due to external factors, including new tariff threats from the U.S. and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Key events to watch include the monthly derivatives expiry and the retail opening of the IRFC Offer for Sale. Additionally, the Indian Rupee has shown relative strength, appreciating to 90.89 per US dollar, which has helped stabilize imported inflation concerns. The India VIX, a measure of market volatility, fell by 4.66% to 13.49. This decline suggests that while uncertainty persists, the immediate panic in the market has subsided, allowing for more structured, stock-specific movements. [Stock market update today](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akn48UBqyDk) This video provides a comprehensive outlook for February 2026, covering global macro pressures and equity market trends relevant to the current trading environment. http://googleusercontent.com/youtube_content/0