After a bruising session that saw frontline indices tumble over 1 per cent, Indian equities staged a measured recovery on Friday, February 20. The rebound offered some relief to investors, even as volatility lingered beneath the surface. The 30-share Sensex climbed 317 points, or 0.38 per cent, to finish at 82,814.71. The Nifty 50 added 117 points, or 0.46 per cent, ending at 25,571.25. Broader indices painted a mixed picture: the BSE 150 MidCap Index advanced 0.44 per cent, while the BSE 250 SmallCap Index slipped 0.19 per cent, reflecting selective participation across segments.

Market participants attributed the bounce to bargain hunting in quality names that had corrected recently.

“Markets ended the week with modest gains, supported by value buying in fundamentally strong stocks that had recently corrected, despite mixed global cues. Sentiment remained positive during the first three sessions; however, heightened volatility in the final sessions turned participants cautious. Ultimately, the benchmark indices Nifty and Sensex settled at 25,571.25 and 61,172, respectively,” said Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd.

Despite global uncertainty, domestic investors showed resilience, helping indices close the week in positive territory.

Global Signals and GDP Data in Focus

Looking ahead, analysts expect external developments to heavily influence sentiment.

According to Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, traders will track updates around Trump's global tariffs announcement, geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, crude oil fluctuations, and broader monetary policy signals worldwide.

“Although volatility may stay elevated, strong domestic macro fundamentals and a supportive demand environment are expected to provide a cushion. The release of India’s GDP data next week will be keenly watched for its implications on earnings momentum and broader market positioning. Overall, markets are likely to trade within a range, with liquidity flows and global developments shaping short-term movements,” Nair said.

India’s upcoming quarterly GDP figures, scheduled for release on February 27 by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, are expected to provide fresh direction.

Major Market Triggers This Week

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