Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher on Monday (February 23, 2026), tracking gains in PSU bank, auto and financial stocks, as investors' sentiments improved after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Trump administration's sweeping tariffs.The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 479.95 points, or 0.58%, to settle at 83,294.66. During the session, the benchmark jumped 671.44 points, or 0.81%, to hit an intraday high of 83,486.15.Also Read | Tariffs in trouble: On the U.S. Supreme Court and Donal ...

Core Insights - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Cisco have established a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Hyderabad to advance autonomous enterprise operations [1][2] - The CoE aims to transition customers from conventional rule-based automation to intelligent, self-governing systems [2][3] Group 1: CoE Objectives and Functionality - The CoE will leverage TCS' five-level Services Autonomy Model to support enterprise clients in achieving higher operational autonomy [3] - It will develop AI-first solutions tailored to specific business processes across multiple industry sectors [3][6] - The centre will focus on enabling zero-touch operations, reducing complexity and operational friction within enterprise environments [5] Group 2: Technological Integration - The collaboration will integrate advanced tools from both companies, including Cisco AppDynamics, Cisco Splunk, TCS ignio, and TCS Cognix [3] - The core technological strategy is based on agentic AI mesh architectures, which will utilize observability data for real-time behavioral insights and intelligent automation [4] Group 3: Partnership and Long-term Goals - The establishment of the CoE builds on a partnership of over twenty years between TCS and Cisco in enterprise infrastructure and automation [6] - The focus is on developing connected IT ecosystems that support innovation and adaptive operating models for large enterprises [6]

Core Insights - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and ServiceNow have formed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar partnership to enhance AI adoption across enterprise functions [1] Group 1: Partnership Details - The partnership will focus on developing industry-specific AI solutions on the ServiceNow platform, targeting back-office functions such as human resources, finance, supply chain, procurement, and employee services [2] - TCS will utilize its AI-led autonomous global business solutions portfolio, guided by a five-stage AI Autonomy Framework, to deliver these solutions [2] Group 2: Transformation Goals - The collaboration aims to transition enterprises from fragmented AI pilots to comprehensive organizational transformation, replacing manual processes with AI-driven workflows that can learn and self-improve [3] - Practical applications include a unified hire-to-retire HR lifecycle and an accelerated order-to-cash process to enhance revenue predictability [3] Group 3: Leadership Insights - TCS's COO emphasized the integration of trusted AI, modern workflows, and industry expertise to help clients embed intelligence across IT and business operations [4] - ServiceNow's President highlighted the focus on delivering scalable innovation and governance rather than isolated AI experiments [4] Group 4: Joint Initiatives - The companies plan to invest in co-innovation labs, solution showcases, and integrated go-to-market programs [5] - TCS is recognized as ServiceNow's largest user of IT Asset Management, having deployed the solution across thousands of devices in under three months [5] Group 5: Market Performance - TCS shares traded at ₹2,679.30, reflecting a decrease of 0.26% from the previous close, with a session low of ₹2,660.20 and a high of ₹2,704.00 [6] - TCS reported consolidated revenues exceeding $30 billion for the fiscal year ending March 2025 [6]

Group 1: Tariff and Geopolitical Concerns - The US tariffs have caused short-term market fluctuations, but the agreed baseline tariff rate of 18% is seen as manageable, with a potential interim rate of 15% being beneficial for Indian exporters [1][8] - The escalating tensions between the US and Iran pose a significant risk, as a sustained geopolitical crisis could lead to higher oil prices, impacting India's current account deficit and inflation [2][8] Group 2: Market Outlook and Investment Strategy - Despite market headwinds, the long-term outlook for India remains positive, supported by trade frameworks with the US and EU, domestic tax cuts, and post-budget clarity, with setbacks viewed as delays rather than derailments [2][8] - The IT sector is believed to have largely bottomed out, with approximately 90% of the valuation derating completed, making IT stocks attractive for income-oriented portfolios due to their dividend yields of 5-6% [5][8] - Investors are advised to treat market volatility as an opportunity to accumulate quality stocks at better prices [2][8] Group 3: Banking Sector Insights - The ₹590 crore fraud at IDFC First Bank is considered an isolated incident, not indicative of systemic issues within the midcap banking sector, and the bank remains well-capitalized after raising ₹7,500 crore [6][8] - Smaller private and new-age banks have a structural advantage due to their leaner deposit bases, allowing them to attract deposits more effectively compared to larger banks [6][8] - Among preferred banking picks, AU Small Finance Bank, South India Bank, and CSB Bank are highlighted, despite AU's higher valuation [6][8]

Market Overview - Markets opened positively following the US Supreme Court's ruling against President Trump's emergency tariffs, with the Sensex rising to ₹83,336.04, up ₹521.33 or 0.63% [1] - The Nifty 50 also saw gains, climbing to ₹25,731.00, an increase of ₹159.75 or 0.62% [1] Tariff Changes - The Supreme Court's decision invalidated approximately $160–175 billion in tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) [2] - President Trump responded by invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a new 10–15% global tariff for 150 days, which is expected to face legal challenges [2] - For India, this effectively reduces tariffs on exports to around 10% [2] Market Sentiment and Technical Analysis - The US Supreme Court's ruling is viewed positively, but it may not lead to a sustained market rally as fundamentals are still key [3] - The Nifty's immediate pivot is at 25,500, with resistance levels at 25,700–25,750; a move above 25,800 could lead to 26,000 [3] Sector Performance - Banking stocks led the market recovery, with the Bank Nifty closing at ₹61,172, up 432 points, and trading above key moving averages [4] - Among Nifty 50 gainers, Adani Ports rose by 2.86% to ₹1,554.80, and Axis Bank increased by 2.02% to ₹1,395.90, indicating strength in financial services and infrastructure [5] Underperformers - ONGC was the worst performer, falling 2.14% to ₹272.70 due to rising crude oil prices amid US-Iran tensions [6] - IT stocks like Infosys and Wipro also faced declines, contributing to a broader technology sector downturn [6] Institutional Flows - Foreign Institutional Investors sold equities worth ₹934 crore, while Domestic Institutional Investors bought equities worth ₹2,637 crore [7] Corporate Developments - IDFC First Bank reported a significant internal fraud estimated at ₹590 crore, prompting a forensic audit [8] Market Caution - Analysts caution that market sentiment may remain weak as long as it stays below the 50-day SMA of 25,770/83,200 [9]

Core Insights - The market capitalization of six out of the ten most-valued companies increased by Rs 63,478.46 crore last week, driven primarily by strong performances from Larsen & Toubro and State Bank of India [4] - The broader market saw a modest increase, with the BSE Sensex rising by 187.95 points, or 0.22% during the week [4] Company Performance - Larsen & Toubro led the weekly gains, adding Rs 28,523.31 crore to reach a market valuation of Rs 6,02,552.24 crore [4] - State Bank of India experienced a significant rise, with its market capitalization increasing by Rs 16,015.12 crore to Rs 11,22,581.56 crore [4] - HDFC Bank's valuation rose by Rs 9,617.56 crore, bringing its total to Rs 14,03,239.48 crore [4] - Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) added Rs 5,977.12 crore, pushing its market worth to Rs 5,52,203.92 crore [4] - Bajaj Finance's market capitalization climbed by Rs 3,142.36 crore to Rs 6,40,387 crore [4] - Reliance Industries saw a marginal increase of Rs 202.99 crore, taking its total valuation to Rs 19,21,678.78 crore [4] Declines in Market Value - Bharti Airtel recorded the largest decline, with its market capitalization dropping by Rs 15,338.66 crore to Rs 11,27,705.37 crore [4] - ICICI Bank followed with a decrease of Rs 14,632.10 crore, bringing its valuation to Rs 9,97,346.67 crore [4] - Infosys lost Rs 6,791.58 crore in market value, resulting in a total of Rs 5,48,496.14 crore [3][4] - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) slipped by Rs 1,989.95 crore to a market valuation of Rs 9,72,053.48 crore [3][4]

Key TakeawaysIndia and the United States have officially rescheduled a high-level meeting of chief negotiators originally set for February 23–26 in Washington to finalize an interim trade pact.The delay follows a landmark 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated President Donald Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad-based tariffs.President Trump responded to the ruling by announcing a new 15% global tariff surcharge under Section 122 of the Trade Act of ...

Market Overview - The 30-share BSE Sensex increased by 187.95 points, or 0.22 percent, over the past week [1] Company Valuations - The market valuation of Larsen & Toubro rose by Rs 28,523.31 crore to Rs 6,02,552.24 crore [2][6] - State Bank of India (SBI) added Rs 16,015.12 crore to reach Rs 11,22,581.56 crore [2][6] - HDFC Bank's valuation climbed by Rs 9,617.56 crore to Rs 14,03,239.48 crore [2][6] - Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) increased by Rs 5,977.12 crore to Rs 5,52,203.92 crore [2][6] - Bajaj Finance's market capitalisation advanced by Rs 3,142.36 crore to Rs 6,40,387 crore [4][6] - Reliance Industries' valuation went up by Rs 202.99 crore to Rs 19,21,678.78 crore [4][6] Declines in Valuation - Bharti Airtel's market capitalisation fell by Rs 15,338.66 crore to Rs 11,27,705.37 crore [5][6] - ICICI Bank's valuation decreased by Rs 14,632.10 crore to Rs 9,97,346.67 crore [6] - Infosys' market capitalisation declined by Rs 6,791.58 crore to Rs 5,48,496.14 crore [6] - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) dipped by Rs 1,989.95 crore to Rs 9,72,053.48 crore [6] Top Valued Firms - Reliance Industries remains the most-valued firm, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Life Insurance Corporation of India, and Infosys [6]

Core Insights - The combined market valuation of six of the top-10 valued firms increased by ₹63,478.46 crore last week, with Larsen & Toubro and State Bank of India being the primary contributors [1][2]. Group 1: Gainers - Larsen & Toubro's market valuation rose by ₹28,523.31 crore, reaching ₹6,02,552.24 crore [2]. - State Bank of India's valuation increased by ₹16,015.12 crore, totaling ₹11,22,581.56 crore [2]. - HDFC Bank's market capitalization climbed by ₹9,617.56 crore to ₹14,03,239.48 crore [3]. - Life Insurance Corporation of India's valuation edged up by ₹5,977.12 crore, reaching ₹5,52,203.92 crore [3]. - Bajaj Finance's market cap advanced by ₹3,142.36 crore to ₹6,40,387 crore [3]. - Reliance Industries' valuation increased by ₹202.99 crore, totaling ₹19,21,678.78 crore [3]. Group 2: Losers - Bharti Airtel's market capitalization fell by ₹15,338.66 crore to ₹11,27,705.37 crore [3]. - ICICI Bank's valuation decreased by ₹14,632.10 crore, bringing it down to ₹9,97,346.67 crore [3]. - Infosys' market cap declined by ₹6,791.58 crore to ₹5,48,496.14 crore [4]. - Tata Consultancy Services' valuation dipped by ₹1,989.95 crore, totaling ₹9,72,053.48 crore [4]. Group 3: Market Overview - The BSE Sensex rose by 187.95 points, or 0.22 percent, over the past week [1]. - Reliance Industries remains the most-valued firm, followed by HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Life Insurance Corporation of India, and Infosys [4].

Core Viewpoint - A class action lawsuit has been filed against Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. and certain senior executives for securities fraud following significant stock drops due to potential violations of federal securities laws [1][3]. Group 1: Company Overview - Kyndryl is a provider of enterprise technology services, offering advisory, implementation, and managed service capabilities to customers in over 60 countries, making it the world's largest IT infrastructure services provider [4]. Group 2: Allegations and Stock Impact - Kyndryl is accused of misrepresenting its cash management practices, including the drivers of its adjusted free cash flow metric and the effectiveness of its internal controls over financial reporting for FY2025 and the first three quarters of FY2026 [5]. - On February 9, 2026, Kyndryl announced a delay in releasing its fiscal Q3 2026 financial statement due to an accounting review of its cash management practices, leading to the immediate departures of its CFO and General Counsel [6]. - Following this announcement, Kyndryl's stock price dropped over 52% during trading on February 9, 2026 [7].