On February 16, 2026, the Nifty 50 ended the session at 25,682.75, gaining about 211 points, or 0.83%. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex advanced 0.79% to close at 83,277.15.
The weekly derivatives contracts for the Nifty are set to expire on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, following the usual weekly schedule. As the expiry approaches, investors have adopted a cautious stance, leading to subdued market sentiment.
In the run-up to the Nifty’s weekly expiry on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the National Stock Exchange (NSE) has barred two stocks from trading in the Futures and Options (F&O) segment.
This action is taken when the open interest in a stock crosses 95% of the market-wide position limit (MWPL). While the restriction is in place, traders cannot initiate fresh derivative positions, although activity in the cash market continues as usual.
The stocks under the F&O ban for Feb 17 are:
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) share price closed at ₹158.80 on Feb 16, down 0.48%. SAIL share price traded between the day low and high of ₹157.25 and ₹160.14, respectively.
On Jan 19, Sammaan Capital stock (NSE: SAMMAANCAP) settled at ₹147.05, up from its previous close of ₹144.03. It opened at ₹144.60 and moved between an intraday high of ₹148.77 and a low of ₹143.76. The Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) stood at ₹146.48.
According to NSE norms, a stock is placed under the F&O ban when its open interest exceeds 95% of the market-wide position limit (MWPL).
During this restriction period:
The objective of this framework is to curb excessive speculative activity and ensure orderly market functioning, particularly during volatile periods such as derivatives expiry days.
Nifty 50 F&O contracts expire every Tuesday. If the scheduled expiry coincides with a trading holiday, it is moved to the preceding trading day. All contracts are settled based on the closing price on the day of expiry.
For ease of tracking during the expiry week, these contracts may appear under the monthly series category on trading platforms.
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Investor sentiment remained cautious ahead of the Nifty’s weekly expiry on February 17, 2025, dampening overall market mood. With SAIL and Sammaan Capital placed under the F&O ban, traders are likely to pivot toward opportunities in the cash segment as they await clearer direction after the expiry.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks, read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Feb 17, 2026, 8:28 AM IST
Sachin Gupta
Sachin Gupta is a Content Writer with 6+ years of experience in the stock market, including global markets like the US, Canada, and Australia. At Angel One, Sachin specialises in creating financial content that simplifies complex market trends. Sachin holds a Master's in Commerce, specialising in Economics.
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