19 February 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Indian equity markets are set to open on a cautious note on February 19, with investors closely tracking global cues, foreign fund flows, and sector-specific signals following the sharp selloff in the previous session. After a volatile day that saw benchmark indices tumble, market participants are expected to remain selective as they assess whether markets stabilise or extend losses.
Both NIFTY50 and Sensex will take cues from overnight moves in Wall Street, trends in Asian markets, and the latest updates on foreign institutional investor (FII) activity.
Wall Street Ends Mixed, Volatility Persists
Overnight, Wall Street delivered mixed signals, with investors remaining cautious amid uncertainty over interest rate cuts and economic data. While some technology stocks showed resilience, broader market sentiment remained fragile as bond yields stayed elevated.
Persistent concerns over inflation and the timing of policy easing by the US Federal Reserve continue to influence global risk appetite. The lack of a clear directional trend on Wall Street suggests Indian markets may open flat to mildly negative, with stock-specific action likely to dominate.
Asian Markets Show Tentative Moves
Early trade in Asian markets indicated a mixed start, as investors digested global cues and assessed regional economic signals. Markets in Japan, South Korea, and China showed modest moves, reflecting uncertainty rather than panic.
Indian markets typically mirror early Asian trends in the opening session, suggesting a cautious start for domestic indices. Traders are likely to watch whether Asian markets gain traction or slip further as the session progresses.
FII Activity in Focus
Foreign institutional investors remain a key factor for Indian markets. After recent bouts of selling, market participants are keenly tracking whether FIIs continue to trim positions or turn selective buyers at lower levels.
Sustained FII selling could keep pressure on largecap stocks, particularly in banking and IT. On the other hand, any sign of stabilisation in foreign flows may help indices consolidate after the recent sharp correction.
Domestic institutional investors (DIIs) are expected to provide some support, as they have done in previous sessions, cushioning the impact of foreign outflows.
Technical Levels to Watch
From a technical perspective, NIFTY50 slipping below key levels has raised short-term caution. Analysts believe immediate support lies near the 25,400–25,450 zone, while resistance is seen around 25,700.
For the Sensex, traders are watching support around the 83,000 mark. A decisive break below this level could invite further selling, while a rebound above recent resistance may indicate short-term stabilisation.
Market experts advise traders to avoid aggressive positions during early trade and wait for clarity on direction.
Sectoral Cues and Stocks in Focus
Sector-wise, banking and financial stocks will remain in focus after leading the previous session’s decline. IT stocks may take cues from overnight movements in US technology shares, while metal stocks will track global commodity prices.
FMCG and pharma stocks could see selective interest as defensive bets amid volatility. Midcap and smallcap stocks may remain under pressure, as investors continue to pare exposure to riskier segments.
Stocks reacting to earnings updates, corporate announcements, and analyst commentary are expected to witness stock-specific action.
Macro and Policy Watch
Investors will continue to monitor macroeconomic indicators and policy commentary for direction. Any updates related to inflation, bond yields, or global central bank stance could influence sentiment.
Closer home, cues related to liquidity and interest rate outlook from the Reserve Bank of India will remain on the radar, especially after recent market volatility.
What Should Investors Do?
Market strategists suggest adopting a cautious approach in the near term. Volatility is expected to remain elevated, and sudden intraday swings cannot be ruled out.
Long-term investors are advised to focus on fundamentally strong stocks and avoid chasing momentum. Short-term traders should keep strict stop-losses and avoid overleveraging positions.
Outlook for the Day
Overall, the opening on February 19 is expected to be subdued, with markets seeking cues for direction after the recent selloff. Whether indices stabilise or see further downside will largely depend on global sentiment, FII flows, and early market breadth.
As volatility remains high, patience and discipline are likely to be key for investors navigating today’s trade.
Summary
Indian markets may open cautiously on February 19 as investors track Wall Street cues, Asian markets, and FII activity following recent volatility, with technical levels and sector-specific moves guiding intraday sentiment.