SGX Nifty February 2026 futures declined by 43 points, indicating a bearish opening for the Nifty 50 today.

Institutional Flows:

On 16 February 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) divested shares amounting to Rs 972.13 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) made net purchases totaling Rs 1,666.98 crore in the Indian equity market. The foreign institutional investors have divested shares amounting to Rs 2,345.69 crore in the cash market up to February 13, 2026. This is in line with their cash sales of Rs 41,435.22 crore in January 2026 and Rs 34,349.62 crore in December.

Global Markets:

Asian markets approached Tuesday with caution. The markets in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea were closed on Tuesday in observance of the Lunar New Year holidays. The U.S. markets remained closed on Monday in observance of Presidents’ Day. On Tuesday, attention was drawn to Japan’s faltering economy, following the release of GDP figures that fell significantly short of expectations. The country on Monday announced that its economy expanded at an annualised rate of 0.2% in the fourth quarter, significantly lower than the anticipated increase of 1.6%, primarily due to the impact of government spending on overall activity. During the current session, the Japanese yen appreciated by 0.15% against the US dollar, reaching a value of 153.28 per dollar.

The disappointing figures underscore the obstacles facing Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and are likely to bolster her advocacy for a more robust fiscal stimulus, according to media reports. The Bank of Japan is scheduled to convene regarding interest rates in March, with market participants predicting a minimal likelihood of an increase. Recent media coverage indicates that investors anticipate the central bank will hold off on tightening policy until July.

Meanwhile, oil experienced some price increases as investors anticipated the U.S. and Iran nuclear negotiations set to commence in Geneva later today. The recent fluctuations in crude prices were prompted by a drill conducted by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in the Hormuz Strait on Monday. The section represents approximately 20% of worldwide oil transportation.

Domestic Market:

Benchmark equity indices closed significantly higher on Monday, supported by strong buying activity in banks and financial sectors. The Nifty bounced back from its two-day decline and closed above the 25,650 level following a significant intraday recovery. The session commenced with a sense of caution, reflecting mixed signals from around the globe, as the Nifty dipped to 25,372.70 during early trading. Nevertheless, robust domestic purchasing swiftly changed the course, leading to a consistent rise throughout the day.

Gains accelerated in the latter half of the session, propelling the index to an intraday high of 25,697 before it settled close to the day’s peak. The S&P BSE Sensex increased by 650.39 points, reflecting a rise of 0.79%, reaching a total of 83,277.15. The Nifty 50 index increased by 211.65 points, reflecting a rise of 0.83%, reaching a level of 25,682.75. The 50-unit index experienced a decline of 1.86% over the last two sessions.