Over the five trading sessions ending February 20, the benchmark index Sensex inched up 0.23% (188 points) to settle at 82,814. The index advanced in four out of the five sessions, but witnessed a sharp decline of about 1,236 points on Thursday. During the same period, 63 stocks in the BSE Smallcap Index registered losses in all five sessions. Among them, 12 small-cap stocks recorded cumulative declines of more than 15% over the five-day span. (Data source: ACE Equity)
Despite a marginal gain in the Sensex over five sessions ending February 20, weakness persisted in the broader market. As many as 63 BSE Smallcap stocks declined throughout the period, with 12 registering losses exceeding 15%, highlighting sustained pressure and selective selloff in the small-cap segment despite benchmark resilience.
Indian markets saw a positive close on Friday. Major Wall Street companies like Alphabet and Amazon surged after the Supreme Court ruled against President Trump's global tariffs. Investors welcomed the removal of uncertainty. The S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow Jones Industrial Average all ended higher. This development provided a boost to the stock market.
State Bank of India is exploring partnerships with Japanese banks for merger and acquisition financing. New regulations permit Indian banks to fund up to 75% of domestic M&A deals. SBI chairman CS Setty indicated ongoing discussions with lenders active in this sector. The bank expects board approval soon for its M&A financing policy.
On Friday, Indian stock markets experienced a notable bounce back, partially reversing previous losses. Nevertheless, escalating global tensions, especially those involving the US and Iran, led to a more cautious approach among investors. By the end of the week, both the Nifty and Sensex showed positive gains. Crude oil prices saw an uptick amidst concerns of potential military conflict.
Indias primary market is set for an active week with three mainboard IPOs and six SME issues targeting around Rs 4,300 crore. Led by Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions, the offerings span renewable energy, jewellery and engineering, testing investor appetite amid selective market conditions and sector-specific interest.
In a bold pivot towards the future, major tech giants are pulling back on stock buybacks to invest heavily in artificial intelligence. Their focus on developing advanced AI capabilities, rather than returning cash to shareholders, indicates a strategic shift that could reshape the industry landscape.
Brent crude prices saw a late-day surge due to short-covering as investors reacted to escalating U.S.-Iran tensions over nuclear weapon development. Despite this, both Brent and WTI futures experienced weekly gains, with traders betting on higher prices amidst concerns over potential supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Gold prices surged over 1% as weaker U.S. GDP data and President Trump's announcement of new global tariffs fueled investor uncertainty. Despite a Supreme Court ruling against his previous tariffs, analysts predict continued volatility, supporting gold's safe-haven appeal. Economic slowdown and persistent inflation further bolster demand for the precious metal.
Europe's STOXX 600 reached a record high, boosted by the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down President Trump's tariffs. Investors welcomed the ruling, which eased trade uncertainty, while strong corporate earnings and a rebound in manufacturing also contributed to market gains. Luxury and banking sectors saw significant increases.
