Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty slumped in the mid-session trade on Thursday amid a broad-based profit-booking rush in realty, power and auto stocks, and rising crude oil prices overseas. In the mid-session trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex plunged 869.96 points, or 1.03%, to 82,864.29. In Asian markets, South Korea’s Kospi settled 3% higher, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 benchmark closed 1% up. The U.S. equities market closed higher in overnight deals on Wednesday (February 18, 2026). On Wednesday (February 18, 2026), the 30-share BSE Sensex jumped 283.29 points to settle at 83,734.25, while the broader NSE Nifty gained 93.95 points to close at 25,819.35.

Source: The Hindu February 19, 2026 12:48 UTC