Quote: Drumil Vithlani, Technical Analyst at Bonanza

The IDFC First Bank stock has broken below its crucial support zone of 77–78 with strong volume, signaling a shift in trend from bullish to bearish. The stock is now trading below all major exponential moving averages — 20, 50, 100, and 200 EMAs — confirming both short-term and long-term weakness. 

The RSI stands at 23.83, significantly below its 14-period average of 48.59, indicating oversold conditions following heavy selling pressure. Immediate support is placed near the recent low around 66–67, a level that has been tested multiple times previously. Resistance is now seen at 77, which will act as a key hurdle for any recovery.

Nifty Bank Prediction Today – February 23, 2026: Nifty Bank futures: Scope for a rally

Nifty Bank Prediction Today – February 23, 2026: Nifty Bank futures: Scope for a rally

Nifty Bank futures show potential for a rally, targeting 61,600 amid bullish trends and strategic trading recommendations.

Rupee rises 21 paise to 90.73 against the US dollar in early trade

Rupee rises 21 paise to 90.73 against the US dollar in early trade

Rupee rises 21 paise to 90.73 against the dollar, supported by falling crude prices and a weaker US currency.

Oil slides on Iran nuclear talks, fresh US tariff uncertainty

Oil slides on Iran nuclear talks, fresh US tariff uncertainty

Oil prices drop as US-Iran nuclear talks ease conflict fears, amid uncertainty from new US tariff hikes.

Stock market live today: Market analysis by Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus.com
February 23, 2026

Altcoins tracked Bitcoin lower. CoinMarketCap data showed Ethereum at $1,861.84, BNB at $587.37, Solana at $78.02, and XRP at $1.34, underscoring broad-based risk reduction rather than selective rotation.

Overall, the tape reflects distribution and digestion. Support in the mid-$64,000s remains critical. Failure there would risk a deeper retracement. A reclaim of the upper-$68,000 zone is needed to restore momentum. Until macro clarity improves and distribution pressure eases, rallies appear vulnerable to selling.

Our advisory: BTC is in a tight range but well below 70K. Use an accumulation strategy and add BTC to your inventory. For investors using crypto futures, the objective should be to capture directional downside moves with measured leverage. Preserve capital and avoid chasing short-term gains.

Share market live today: Market analysis by Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus.com
February 23, 2026

ETF flows offered a limited fresh signal for the February 21-23 window. The most recent published US spot Bitcoin ETF data, released before the weekend, showed $88.1 million in net inflows on February 20. This suggests that institutional positioning had not turned decisively negative. 

Macro remains the dominant overhang. Minutes from the Federal Reserve’s January 27-28 meeting, released on February 18, revealed a divided committee. Some officials indicated openness to rate cuts if inflation continued to ease. Markets now look ahead to the February CPI release on March 11 and the March 17-18 FOMC meeting. Both of these could materially shift rate expectations. Rising Treasury yields in recent sessions have reinforced caution across high-beta assets, including crypto.

Share market live today: Market analysis by Vikram Subburaj, CEO, Giottus.com

Bitcoin remained under pressure with spot prices staying at $64,678 on Monday. This was a decline of over 5 per cent on the day. The intraday band was clearly defined. $64,383 formed the 24-hour low and immediate support and $68,235 marked near-term resistance. If price action is trapped inside this corridor, the structure favours consolidation with a negative bias. It is unlikely to see a decisive breakdown or recovery.

What distinguishes this pullback from a purely macro-driven move is the internal market structure. Analysts’ desks reported growing evidence of whale distribution. Large holders sold into strength while recent buyers locked in losses. The picture that emerges is one of supply rotation rather than indiscriminate panic. Smaller participants appear to be absorbing some of the flow. However, it is not sufficient to overcome distribution at higher levels. This explains why rallies toward the upper-$60,000 zone have struggled to sustain follow-through.

AXISCADES Technologies,headquartered in Bangalore, India, announced a new win in Defence division by its subsidiary Mistral Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

AXISCADES shares flat on the NSE at Rs 1,418.90

Morepen Bags ₹825 Crore Global Deal; Expands Into High-Growth CDMO Segment

Shares rallied 12% on the NSE to Rs 44.10

Stallion India Fluorochemicals Receives Land Allotment Approval for Proposed HFO Manufacturing Plant in Rajasthan

Shares traded at its lower circuit on the NSE at Rs 128.82, down 5%.

Quote: Avinash Shekhar, Co-Founder and CEO, Pi42

“Bitcoin’s latest slide below the $65,000 mark reflects how sensitive digital assets remain to macro headlines, especially the renewed uncertainty around US tariff policy. The announcement of fresh tariffs and the lack of clarity on trade direction have weighed on global sentiment, pulling down equities, the dollar, and crypto together. At the same time, on chain data such as the spike in realized losses in XRP indicates that short term traders are reacting emotionally to volatility rather than focusing on long term fundamentals.

Despite the near term pressure, the broader structure of the crypto market remains intact. Periods like these typically flush out leveraged positions and speculative excess, creating a healthier base for the next phase of growth. Bitcoin continues to behave as a macro sensitive asset in the short run, but its long term adoption drivers such as institutional participation and ecosystem expansion remain firmly in place.

Investors should avoid reacting impulsively to headline driven swings. A disciplined approach such as staggered accumulation, maintaining adequate liquidity, and focusing on fundamentally strong assets can help navigate the current phase. Those with a long term horizon may view corrections as opportunities to build exposure gradually rather than attempting to time short term moves.”

Stock Market Live Updates: Morning highlights

Securities in F&O Ban For Trade Date 23-FEB-2026

NIFTY PCR ➖ 0.98

U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) 97.43

BRENT OIL ➖70.71

RESULT Q3 CALENDAR 23-Feb

Quote: Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist, ICRA Ltd on Core data

“Q4 FY2026 has kicked off on a slightly sour note, with the year-on-year (YoY) growth in core output easing to 4.0% In January 2026 from the upward-revised 4.7% in December 2025. The slowdown was broad-based, with as many as seven of the 8 sectors witnessing a deterioration in their YoY growth performance.

Notably, while growth in construction-related indicators (cement and steel output) eased in January 2026 relative to December 2025, it remained quite robust, printing at ~9-11% for the month, suggesting construction activity likely remained buoyant.

Given the trends in core output, IIP growth is likely to slow down in January 2026, although we expect the growth in the “non-core” part of the IIP to continue to outperform core industries output, as was the trend in Q3 FY2026. Consequently, ICRA expects IIP growth to ease to ~5.5% in January 2026 from 7.8% in December 2025, while printing higher than the growth in core output for the month.”

Quote: Vinit Bolinjkar – Head of Research – Ventura

“Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) recorded net outflows of approximately ₹7,000 crores in the cash market for the week ending February 20, 2026, amid volatile trading sessions marked by heavy selling on February 13 (₹7,395 Cr outflow). Despite this, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) provided strong support with net inflows exceeding ₹8,000 crores, highlighted by robust buying on February 13 and 16. Benchmark indices faced pressure, with Nifty closing around 25,454 on February 19 after a 1.41% drop, influenced by global tensions and sector-wide declines in IT, financials, and autos. A partial rebound occurred on February 20, with Nifty nearing 25,600 amid selective buying. Looking ahead, markets may remain volatile with key supports at Nifty 25,300 and resistance at 25,700; a sell-on-rise strategy is advisable until bullish confirmation emerges. Investors should monitor global cues and upcoming earnings for directional cues.”

Secretary, DFS launched EASE 9.0 PSB Reform Agenda & released EASE Coffee Table Book 

The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) hosted the launch of the 9th edition of the EASE Reforms Agenda for FY 2026-27 and the release of the EASE Coffee Table Book on Friday, February 20, 2026. The event was graced by Shri M. Nagaraju, IAS, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, Government of India, as the Chief Guest.

Launched in 2018, EASE (Enhanced Access and Service Excellence) annually sets the reform strategy for Public Sector Banks (PSBs) to improve customer service, technology adoption, digital and analytics-led growth, and human resource productivity. The Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) oversees the implementation of the EASE Reforms Agenda through the EASE Steering Committee.

The EASE 9.0 Reform Agenda marks the next phase of reforms aimed at strengthening the long-term capabilities of Public Sector Banks. Building on the themes of the RISE framework, the EASE 9.0 Reform agenda focuses on institutionalising a customer service excellence culture, strengthening operational risk frameworks, modernising core IT systems, lending for emerging sectors, AI-enabled workflows, sustainable finance, digitising HR operations and strengthening employee well-being, which align with the broader vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, formally launched the EASE 9.0 Reforms Agenda and unveiled the EASE 9.0 Agenda Booklet, setting the strategic direction for the next phase of PSB reforms. The event was also attended by several distinguished dignitaries, including Shri C. S. Setty, Chairman, Indian Banks’ Association and State Bank of India; Shri Atul Kumar Goel, Chief Executive, IBA; Shri Ashwini Kumar Tewari, Chairman, EASE Steering Committee and Managing Director, State Bank of India; along with MDs & CEOs, MDs of SBI, DMDs and Executive Directors from Public Sector Banks.

BFI Concludes their participation at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 with Strong Focus on AI Driven Healthcare startups, and Strategic Capital

New Delhi, February 21, 2026: As the India AI Impact Summit 2026 enters its final stretch in the national capital, five days of structured dialogue, collaboration and cross sector innovation have reinforced India’s growing leadership in artificial intelligence. Blockchain For Impact (BFI) has played a central role in the healthcare track, curating startup showcases and high-level discussions at their pavilion that reflect the accelerating momentum within India’s AI-driven biomedical ecosystem.

Sandeep Nailwal, Founder, Blockchain For Impact, said, “AI in healthcare is not about replacing doctors, it is about strengthening them. Doctors are open to technology, provided it is backed by evidence, validated rigorously, and built for real world use. Our collective focus must be on creating AI systems that are trustworthy, transparent and outcome driven.”

A key highlight was the startup pitching session hosted by BFI-BIOME, where ten AI powered healthcare startups presented solutions across diagnostics, oncology, newborn care and preventive screening. The showcase reflected a strong shift toward technologies built for deployment in clinical and community settings. Among the top performing startups were Medmarvel, represented by Rupal Mehta, and AICA Health, represented by Manisha, both of whom stood out for the strength and clarity of their AI led healthcare solutions.

Plotnew Bio Innovations introduced an AI enabled, pen style saliva diagnostic device designed to monitor tuberculosis drug adherence and detect early liver toxicity. AiSteth presented AI powered smart stethoscope capable of screening and predicting cardio-respiratory disorders at primary health centres. Diagno+, developed at IHFC, IIT Delhi, demonstrated an AI based clinical decision support platform aimed at reducing diagnostic delays in brain tumor detection.

INDIA STRATEGY: Nifty-500 review: Strong broad-based growth

Commodities lead; smallcaps shine

– Nifty-500 delivered strong double-digit earnings growth in 3QFY26, the highest in eight quarters, supported by improved sectoral breadth and benefits of GST 2.0 flowing through select sectors despite continued geopolitical headwinds.

– Aggregate earnings of the Nifty-500 Universe grew 19% YoY. Excl. Financials, reported aggregate earnings jumped 23% YoY. Excl. Metals and O&G, aggregate earnings grew 15% YoY.

– Notably, aggregate sales for the Nifty-500 Universe grew 11%, the highest in 11 quarters, indicating a pickup in momentum. Aggregate sales/EBITDA/adj. PAT of Nifty-500 companies grew 11%/12%/19% YoY to ~INR36t/INR8t/INR4t in 3QFY26.

– Commodities at the front: 3Q corporate earnings were driven by broad-based growth, with significant contributions from commodities – O&G (38% YoY) and Metals (34% YoY) – and robust contributions from key sectors such as PSBs (18% YoY), NBFC-Lending (19% YoY), Auto ex-TMPV (27% YoY), Capital Goods (24% YoY), Consumer (13% YoY), Telecom (160% YoY) and Retail (34% YoY). Moreover, Infra (28% YoY), Retail (34% YoY), NBFC Non-lending (29% YoY), Cement (46% YoY), Consumer Durable (36% YoY), EMS (36% YoY) posted healthy gains. In contrast, Pvt. Banks (3% YoY) and Chemicals (2% YoY) posted muted growth, whereas Utilities (-5% YoY) dragged down the overall performance.

– Largecaps’ momentum picks up; smallcaps outperform: The 3QFY26 earnings performance of the Nifty-500 was fueled by mid- and small-cap companies. Aggregate earnings of the Nifty Midcap-150 companies grew 20% YoY, while Smallcap-250 companies recorded 26% YoY growth on soft base. In comparison, the aggregate earnings growth for the Nifty-100 constituents stood at 18% YoY.

– Sectors and companies: Of the 22 key sectors, 18 reported double-digit profit growth in 3Q. O&G and Metals dominated, collectively accounting for ~38% of the incremental YoY accretion in earnings. About ~50% of companies (245) in the Nifty-500 reported earnings growth of over 15% YoY, while 27% of companies (134) reported a decline or loss in 3Q. The top 10 incremental profit contributors, primarily from O&G, Metals, Financials, and Telecom, together contributed around 50% of the incremental YoY earnings growth.

– EBITDA margin of the Nifty-500 (excl. BFSI) came in at 16.8% (up 30bp YoY, down 60bp QoQ) in 3QFY26. Excl. commodities (Metals and O&G), EBITDA margin stood at 19.1% (down 80bp YoY/90bp QoQ). Six out of 17 major sectors (excl. Financials) reported EBITDA margin expansion during the quarter.

– 9MFY26 performance: Earnings of the Nifty-500 universe grew 15% YoY in 9MFY26. Excl. Financials, the earnings grew 19% YoY, while excl. Metals and O&G, the earnings rose 12% YoY. The large-/mid-/small-cap earnings increased 13%/23%/21% in 9MFY26.

Quote: Munindra Verma, CEO, M1 NXT

“Today’s announced interventions under Export Promotion Mission mark a structural grand push to ease key constraints faced by exporters esp. MSMEs. Announced by Hon. Commerce Minister Shri Piyush Goyal, the initiative focuses on lowering the cost of capital through interest support, enabling export factoring, structured credit guarantees to address liquidity and risk gaps and also addresses logistics disadvantages and barriers to market entry

By formally recognizing export factoring as Alternative Trade Instruments and backing it up with interest subvention, the government is also encouraging wider participation from financiers. Greater integration for RBI or IFSCA-recognised entities (IBU, Finance Company and ITFS platforms) is expected to improve working capital access and streamline digital trade finance adoption for exporters. 

Support for Emerging Export Opportunities through shared-risk and credit instruments is an innovative masterstroke for enhancing usage of products like Trade Credit Insurance from India as well as from GIFT City. These far reaching measures are indeed designed to elevate MSMEs and India to the next level in Global Trade Markets.”

Why IDFC First Bank, AU Small Finance, Airtel, UPL, Prestige group, Lodha Developers, Adani Ports, Rail Tel others will remain focus on Monday?

Why IDFC First Bank, AU Small Finance, Airtel, UPL, Prestige group, Lodha Developers, Adani Ports, Rail Tel others will remain focus on Monday?

Key companies, including IDFC First Bank and AU Small Finance, face scrutiny amid fraud allegations and significant developments across various sectors.

News: Trump raises global tariff to 15% from 10%

Donald Trump announced he will immediately increase the global tariff rate from 10% to 15%, following what he called a flawed and “anti-American” United States Supreme Court decision.

He said the move targets countries he accuses of exploiting the U.S., adding that his administration will roll out further tariff measures in the coming months.