Indian equities ended largely flat on February 11 as investors booked profits in select heavyweights after three straight sessions of gains. While the Sensex edged lower, the Nifty managed to close in the green, supported by gains in healthcare and auto stocks.
The Sensex fell 40 points, or 0.05 percent, to close at 84,233.64. The Nifty 50 rose 19 points, or 0.07 percent, to settle at 25,953.85.
The BSE 150 MidCap index slipped 0.02 percent, while the BSE 250 SmallCap index gained 0.13 percent.
Profit booking in frontline stocks capped gains after the recent rally triggered by optimism around the US–India trade deal.
Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments said domestic equities may enter a brief consolidation phase following this week’s strong upmove. According to him:
Focus has shifted to mixed Q3 earnings trends
Investors are awaiting monthly inflation data
Markets are tracking finer details of the India–US trade agreement, reportedly nearing finalisation
Globally, sentiment remained cautious amid weak US retail sales data and persistent AI-related disruptions. Investors are also awaiting key US employment data.
On the positive side, improving foreign institutional investor (FII) flows and a better GDP outlook are lending support to domestic markets, helped by moderating valuations.
Eicher Motors: up 6.45 percent
Apollo Hospitals Enterprise: up 3.98 percent
Max Healthcare Institute: up 3.33 percent
TCS: down 2.53 percent
Infosys: down 1.79 percent
Coal India: down 1.67 percent
Most sectoral indices ended higher, barring IT and Private Bank stocks.
Gainers:
Nifty Healthcare: up 1.62 percent
Nifty Auto: up 1.30 percent
Nifty PSU Bank: up 1.03 percent
Nifty Pharma: up 1.01 percent
Nifty Bank: up 0.20 percent at 60,745.35
Losers:
Nifty IT: down 1.76 percent
Nifty Private Bank: down 0.16 percent
The advance-decline ratio indicated weakness in broader markets:
Over 1,950 stocks advanced
More than 2,200 stocks declined on the BSE
Vodafone Idea: 85.9 crore shares
Tata Silver ETF: 19.7 crore shares
GTL Infrastructure: 17.8 crore shares
Strong movers:
14 stocks gained over 15 percent on the BSE, including Airan, Brightcom Group, Suryalakshmi Cotton Mills, Man Industries (India), and Allcargo Terminals.
Highs and lows:
131 stocks hit 52-week highs, including Titan Company, SBI, Bajaj Auto, Eicher Motors, and Samvardhana Motherson International.
75 stocks touched 52-week lows, including Berger Paints India, Hexaware Technologies, Kansai Nerolac Paints, Mastek, and SpiceJet.
Rupak De, senior technical analyst at LKP Securities, said the short-term trend remains positive as long as the Nifty holds above the immediate support level of 25,800.
A decisive move above 26,000 could trigger fresh upside. The index continues to trade above its 20-day moving average, with the RSI in a bullish crossover, indicating a positive bias in the near term.
