Indian equity markets opened sharply higher on Monday, February 23, 2026, with benchmark indices advancing on broad-based buying and strong global cues. The Nifty 50 index climbed above 25,700, while the BSE Sensex crossed the 83,300 mark, propelled by significant gains in banking and financial stocks.
Market Rally Driven by Global Sentiment
The strong market performance was supported by positive global developments, including a key decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that boosted investor confidence. The Sensex rose more than 600 points, and the Nifty showed robust gains early in the session, indicating broad participation across sectors.
Banking Stocks Lead the Gains
Banking stocks were among the top performers, helping fuel the rally:
- Major lenders such as Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and State Bank of India saw notable gains during the session.
- The Nifty PSU Bank index and financial sector indices also traded higher, reflecting strong buying interest in financial shares.
The financial sector’s outperformance contributed significantly to the overall market momentum, with banking stocks leading sectoral gains.
Broader Market Impact
Across the market:
- The rally was broad-based, with most major sectors trading in the green.
- Export-oriented and industrial stocks also joined the uptrend as global trade optimism improved.
- However, some individual stocks experienced mixed movements during the session.
The strong performance in Indian equities reflects improving investor sentiment, driven by both domestic and international market developments.