Markets at Noon: Nifty and Sensex Marginally Down, Energy Sector Leads Losses
Indian stock markets are trading marginally lower at midday, with Nifty 50 at 25,707.00 and BSE Sensex at 83,391.57, both down by 0.07%. The energy sector is leading losses (-18.65%), followed by commercial services and textiles. Diamond, gems and jewellery sector shows strength (+2.40%). Notable corporate actions include SAL Steel's equity allotment and Ahluwalia Contracts' Q3 results showing revenue growth.
*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Market Overview
The Indian stock markets are trading slightly lower at midday on February 18, 2026. Both the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex have shown marginal declines from their previous closing levels.
| Index | Current Price | Close Price | Change | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nifty 50 | 25,707.00 | 25,725.40 | -18.40 (-0.07%) | 18/02/2026 12:01:28 |
| BSE Sensex | 83,391.57 | 83,450.96 | -59.39 (-0.07%) | 18/02/2026 12:01:37 |
Sectoral Performance
The energy sector is leading the losses in today's trading session so far, followed by commercial services and textiles.
Top 5 Losing Sectors:
| Sector | Average Percentage Change |
|---|---|
| Energy | -18.65 |
| Commercial Services | -16.79 |
| Textiles | -13.96 |
| Transport Services | -12.59 |
| Forest Materials | -12.33 |
On the positive side, the diamond, gems and jewellery sector is showing strength, along with the trading sector.
Top Performing Sectors:
| Sector | Average Percentage Change |
|---|---|
| Diamond, Gems and Jewellery | 2.40 |
| Trading | 1.95 |
Buzzing Stocks
Several stocks are making headlines today based on recent corporate announcements:
Yash Trading and Finance Limited has appointed Mr. Alakh Vasantbhau Mangroliya as Chief Financial Officer, effective February 16, 2026.
SAL Steel Limited has completed the allotment of 3,57,50,000 equity shares to promoter Sree Metaliks Limited through warrant conversion at ₹18 per share, raising ₹64.35 crore.
Ahluwalia Contracts reported an 11.43% revenue growth to ₹1,060.72 crore in Q3FY26, with net profit rising 9.38% to ₹54.02 crore. The company's nine-month performance shows a robust 12.50% revenue increase.
Maithan Alloys Limited acquired 2,085,000 shares (0.02% stake) in Canara Bank for ₹30.03 crore through stock exchange on February 16, 2026, as part of its investment strategy.
Conclusion
As the trading day progresses, the Indian markets are showing a slight downward trend. The energy sector is facing the most significant pressure, while diamond, gems and jewellery stocks are outperforming. Investors are closely watching corporate actions and quarterly results for further market direction.
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