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The NIFTY 50 closed higher on February 18, 2026, ending the session at 25,819.35 with a gain of 93.95 points or 0.37%. The market witnessed broad-based buying in metals, FMCG and select financial services stocks.
Kwality Walls, HDFC Life and Tata Steel emerged as the strongest performers through the day. Meanwhile, selling pressure continued in technology names such as Wipro, Tech Mahindra and Eternal (Zomato).
The index opened on a firm note and sustained its upward momentum across the session. Strength in metal and life insurance counters helped support the broader market trend.
FMCG stocks also contributed positively, with ITC registering healthy gains. On the contrary, technology and high-beta names faced mild selloffs, reflecting mixed sectoral performance throughout the day.
| Company Name | LTP | Change (₹) | % Change | Volume (Lakhs) | Value (₹ Crores) |
| Kwality Walls | 29.34 | 1.39 | 4.97 | 905.81 | 250.28 |
| HDFC Life | 729.70 | 23.90 | 3.39 | 49.75 | 358.38 |
| Tata Steel | 208.85 | 5.77 | 2.84 | 483.57 | 1,007.13 |
| ITC | 332.65 | 7.20 | 2.21 | 354.73 | 1,171.89 |
| Bajaj Auto | 10,004.00 | 177.50 | 1.81 | 3.34 | 331.55 |
| Company Name | LTP | Change (₹) | % Change | Volume (Lakhs) | Value (₹ Crores) |
| Wipro | 212.15 | -3.54 | -1.64 | 226.80 | 480.22 |
| Tech Mahindra | 1,500.00 | -23.80 | -1.56 | 19.89 | 297.63 |
| Eternal (Zomato) | 277.10 | -4.40 | -1.56 | 351.29 | 973.01 |
| Infosys | 1,372.00 | -19.20 | -1.38 | 202.41 | 2,766.83 |
| Adani Enterprises | 2,213.00 | -29.90 | -1.33 | 11.49 | 254.08 |
Metal stocks led the gains with strong moves in Tata Steel and other large players. FMCG counters such as ITC also contributed positively to the index’s upward trend.
Financial services names, including HDFC Life showed resilience, adding to the broader strength. Conversely, the technology sector underperformed due to declines in Wipro, Tech Mahindra and Infosys, creating a mixed sectoral backdrop.
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The NIFTY 50 ended in positive territory on February 18, 2026, driven by gains across metals, FMCG and insurance stocks. Kwality Walls and HDFC Life led the rally, providing substantial support to the index.
Meanwhile, Wipro and Tech Mahindra remained under pressure, dragging the technology segment lower. Despite sectoral divergence, overall sentiment stayed constructive throughout the session.
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 18, 2026, 4:09 PM IST
Akshay Shivalkar
Akshay Shivalkar is a financial content specialist who strategises and creates SEO-optimised content on the stock market, mutual funds, and other investment products. With experience in fintech and mutual funds, he simplifies complex financial concepts to help investors make informed decisions through his writing.
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