SGX Nifty February 2026 futures declined by 6.50 points, indicating a subdued opening for the Nifty 50 today.
Institutional Flows:
On 17 February 2026, provisional data indicated that foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) purchased shares valued at Rs 995.21 crore, whereas domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers amounting to Rs 187.04 crore in the Indian equity market. Foreign Institutional Investors have divested shares amounting to Rs 1,350.48 crore in the cash market up to 17 February 2026. Their cash sales amounted to Rs 41,435.22 crore in January 2026, compared to Rs 34,349.62 crore in December.
Global Markets:
Asian equities advanced on Wednesday, even in the face of renewed concerns regarding artificial intelligence that are affecting global markets. Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea observed closures in their markets due to the Lunar New Year holidays. The optimistic opening in Asia came after a subdued day on Wall Street on Tuesday, as investors navigated the prospects surrounding the AI boom. Investor concerns regarding potential over-investment by companies, coupled with apprehension about the impact of emerging technology on labor markets, have contributed to heightened anxiety in recent weeks.
In the U.S. overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 0.07% to 49,533.19, the S&P 500 saw a rise of 0.10% to 6,843.22, and the Nasdaq Composite experienced a gain of 0.14% to 22,578.38. The S&P 500 experienced a decline of 0.88% at the outset, but subsequently regained momentum to finish in positive territory. Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude oil futures exhibited minimal movement on Wednesday, following a decline that saw both settle at levels not seen in over two weeks during the prior session.
After discussions in Geneva on Tuesday, Iran’s foreign minister indicated that Tehran and Washington have come to an agreement on key “guiding principles” aimed at addressing their protracted nuclear disagreement, alleviating concerns regarding a potential military conflict near the Strait of Hormuz that might impact global oil supply.
Domestic Market:
Frontline equity indices finished the day with moderate gains on Tuesday, marking a continuation of their winning streak for a second consecutive session, as purchases in index heavyweights provided support to the market. The Nifty closed above the 25,700 level, supported by robust performance in PSU banks, IT, and FMCG sectors. Following a sluggish start, the benchmarks experienced a significant recovery within the initial hour and maintained a tight trading range during the first half of the session.
Increased buying activity during the mid-session trade enhanced market sentiment, resulting in the Nifty advancing as the session drew to a close. The S&P BSE Sensex increased by 173.81 points, reflecting a rise of 0.21%, reaching a total of 83,450.96. The Nifty 50 index experienced an increase of 42.65 points, reflecting a rise of 0.17%, closing at 25,725.40. In the last two trading sessions, both the Sensex and the Nifty have experienced an increase of approximately 1% each.