GIFT Nifty Opening Update
GIFT Nifty opened today at 25,645.50. It is up 57.50 points (0.22%) from yesterday’s close of 25,619.50— so the trend is positive.
The Indian stock market is expected to open on a positive note on Thursday, February 26, influenced by global market signals. Trends in the Gift Nifty indicate a favorable opening for the Indian benchmark indices, with the index positioned around the 25,667 level — approximately 39 points above the prior close of Nifty futures. “The Indian stock market is anticipated to start the session on a stable note, mirroring overnight gains on Wall Street—driven by technology sectors—and a positive sentiment across Asian markets in early trading. Sustained DII inflows continue to act as a structural anchor, supporting selective accumulation in banking, metals, power, FMCG, and auto stocks,” stated Ponmudi R.
On Wednesday, the domestic equity market experienced a modest uptick, with the Nifty 50 sustaining its position above the 25,400 threshold. The Sensex increased by 50.15 points, representing a 0.06% rise, concluding at 82,276.07. Meanwhile, the Nifty 50 saw an uptick of 57.85 points, equivalent to a 0.23% gain, finishing at 25,482.50. In light of current circumstances, attention is expected to be directed towards these stocks on Thursday, February 26 –
Equities to Monitor:
- IRFC – The government’s 2% share sale offer in Indian Railway Finance Corporation Ltd (IRFC) did not achieve full subscription from institutional investors on Wednesday. Institutional investors submitted bids for more than 22.34 crore IRFC shares, representing 94.98% of the approximately 23.52 crore shares allocated for them in the offer for sale (OFS). Subsequently, the company announced that the promoter has opted not to utilize the greenshoe option of up to 2%. At an indicative price of Rs 104.12 per share, institutional investors submitted bids totaling approximately Rs 2,326 crore. On Thursday, retail investors are set to participate in the share sale.
- IT Stocks will continue to capture the attention of investors. Sanjiv Puri, the chairman and managing director of the diversified group ITC, on Wednesday described the significant declines in information technology stocks as a “overreaction” by investors. Puri emphasized that technology has consistently served as a catalyst for growth. The company, originally rooted in the tobacco industry and expanding into areas like hospitality, FMCG, and IT services, leverages AI to enhance productivity and efficiency. “The market exhibited numerous overreactions.” “It has created a lot of overreactions,” Puri stated to reporters during the annual NTLF event hosted by the IT industry’s lobby group Nasscom. NVIDIA announced results for its fiscal fourth quarter on Wednesday that exceeded expectations, fueled by a remarkable 75% increase in revenue from its primary data centre operations. The company experienced a significant increase in total revenue, rising 73% year-on-year to reach $39.3 billion. Over 91% of total sales are now derived from the data centre segment, which features its industry-leading artificial intelligence chips. Data centre revenue reached $62.3 billion for the quarter, exceeding StreetAccount estimates of $60.69 billion. Net income almost doubled to $43 billion, or $1.76 per share, in contrast to $22.1 billion, or 89 cents per share, from the same period last year, according to the company’s press release.
- Waaree Energies, Vikram Solar, and Premier Energies experienced a significant decline in their share prices on Wednesday, February 25, following the US’s announcement of a preliminary countervailing duty of 125.87% on imports of specific Indian solar goods, citing claims of unfair subsidies on these products. However, these companies indicated that the US decision to impose countervailing duties on certain solar goods from India will have a limited impact on their operations.
- Home First Finance is expected to experience a block deal today. News reports indicate that the housing finance company is anticipated to experience a block deal, with promoters planning to divest a portion of their stake. Reports indicate that True North is in the process of divesting its stake. The established offer price range is between Rs 1246.8 and Rs 1185 per share, indicating a discount of 0% to 5% relative to the NSE closing price on February 25, 2026. The stock concluded trading at Rs 1,246 on Wednesday, reflecting an increase of more than 3%.
- IDFC First Bank – Analysts indicate that the Rs 529 crore fraud is expected to affect CASA growth, cost of funds, and operational expenses. “This incident poses a risk to CASA growth in the near term, primarily due to the potential for deposit outflow stemming from news and the de-empanelment of any other government account, in addition to a one-time P&L impact of Rs 590 crore.” The strain on CASA is expected to lead to a higher cost of funds and a modest effect on loan growth. They note that we also expect an increase in opex growth driven by higher risk management and compliance-related costs. BofA Securities has revised its projections for loan growth in FY27/28 downward by 1-2% and adjusted deposit growth estimates by as much as 3%.
- E2E Networks announced on Wednesday (February 25) the initiation of a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) for equity shares, each having a face value of Rs 10. The floor price for the QIP is established at Rs 2,630.60 per equity share, allowing the company to provide a discount of up to 5% in coordination with the appointed lead manager.
- SBI Life has announced an interim dividend of Rs 2.70 for each equity share, which has a face value of Rs 10. The interim dividend for the financial year 2025-26 will be distributed to shareholders whose names are listed in the Register of Members of the Company or recorded as beneficial owners of the shares, based on the Record Date of Friday, March 06, 2026. The payment to shareholders is scheduled to occur on or before Friday, March 27, 2026.
- Zydus Life Sciences is set to introduce Semaglutide Injection under the brand names SEMAGLYNTM, MASHEMATM, and ALTERMETM following the expiration of the Semaglutide patent in India. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) previously granted approval for the manufacturing and marketing of the semaglutide injection, aimed at treating type 2 diabetes mellitus and obesity.
- LT Foods has notified the exchanges that the US Department of Commerce, in its final order dated February 23, 2026, has made substantial revisions to the countervailing duty (CVD) rate that applies to Ecopure’s exports of organic soybean meal to the United States. The duty rate has been decreased from 340.27% to 75.48% as per the final determination released in the Administrative Review. Ecopure operates as a step-down subsidiary of the company.
- Gravita India’s board has approved the raising of funds through the issuance and allotment of equity shares with a face value of Rs 10 (‘Equity Shares’) for a total amount not exceeding Rs 70 crore on a rights issue basis.
- RVNL has secured two work orders from NMDC. The total expenditure for the projects amounts to Rs 656.21 crore.
- Sanofi India disclosed its Q3 FY26 earnings on Wednesday. The board of the company has put forth a recommendation for a final dividend of Rs 48 per equity share, with a face value of Rs 10 each, for the financial year concluding on December 31, 2025. This recommendation is contingent upon shareholder approval at the upcoming 70th Annual General Meeting. The board has approved the appointment of Rajani Kesari as an additional director and independent director of the company for a term of five years, effective April 1, 2026. She will serve as an Additional Director until the date of the upcoming 70th Annual General Meeting (AGM).