Post-Market Report: Sensex and Nifty Extend Gains as US Court Ruling Boosts Sentiment
Published: 2026-02-23 17:00 IST | Category: Markets | By Flash Finance desk (written with AI assistance) · Editor: Kokila
Market Performance Today
The Indian equity markets maintained their upward momentum for the second consecutive session, ending Monday with healthy gains. The BSE Sensex climbed 479.95 points, or 0.58%, to settle at 83,294.66. During the intraday session, the index hit a high of 83,486.15.
The NSE Nifty 50 followed a similar trajectory, advancing 141.75 points, or 0.55%, to close at 25,713. The index touched an intraday peak of 25,771.45. Market breadth was somewhat cautious despite the headline gains, as investors weighed the impact of new trade policies against the relief provided by the judiciary.
Top Movers (Sectors and Stocks)
The day’s action was dominated by financial and infrastructure heavyweights, while technology and metal stocks faced selling pressure.
Top Gainers (Nifty 50):
- Adani Ports: Up 2.93% following a strategic MoU with NMDC and Brazil's Vale S.A.
- Kotak Mahindra Bank: Up 2.22%
- HDFC Life Insurance: Up 1.89%
- UltraTech Cement: Up 1.60%
Top Losers (Nifty 50):
- Hindalco Industries: Down 2.08%
- Infosys: Down 1.90%
- Wipro: Down 1.89%
- Tech Mahindra: Down 1.35%
Sectoral Highlights:
- Nifty PSU Bank: The top-performing sector, rising 1.36%.
- Nifty Financial Services: Gained 0.87% as private lenders saw robust interest.
- Nifty IT: The biggest laggard, dropping 1.42% amid concerns over AI-driven disruptions and trade volatility.
Key Drivers of Today's Market
The primary catalyst for the market's positive opening and sustained performance was the US Supreme Court's decision to strike down the "reciprocal tariffs" previously imposed by the Trump administration. This ruling was viewed by global investors as a check on aggressive trade weaponization, though the relief was partially tempered by President Trump’s subsequent executive order imposing a fresh 15% global tariff for a 150-day period.
Domestically, positive sentiment was supported by strong manufacturing output data, with India's private sector activity accelerating to a three-month high in February. However, specific negative news hit the banking space as IDFC First Bank slumped approximately 16% after reporting a fraudulent transaction of ₹590 crore at its Chandigarh branch.
Broader Market Performance
The broader market presented a mixed picture, underperforming the blue-chip benchmarks. The BSE MidCap index slipped 0.21%, reflecting profit-booking in mid-sized companies. Conversely, the BSE SmallCap index managed a gain of 0.51%, indicating continued retail interest in smaller counters. The total market capitalization of BSE-listed firms rose by approximately ₹2 lakh crore during the session, reaching nearly ₹469 lakh crore.
TAGS: Post-Market, Stock Market, Nifty, Sensex, Market Analysis
Tags: Post-Market Stock Market Nifty Sensex Market Analysis
