The combined market valuation of nine of the top-10 most valued firms eroded by Rs 2,18,902.09 crore last week, with Bharti Airtel taking the biggest hit in line with a bearish trend in equities.

Last week, the BSE benchmark tanked 1,527.52 points or 1.84 per cent.

“Equity markets ended the week under notable pressure as persistent geopolitical tensions and weakness in technology stocks weighed on sentiment,” Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said.

From the top-10 pack, Hindustan Unilever emerged as the only gainer.

The market valuation of Bharti Airtel tumbled Rs 55,852.12 crore to Rs 10,71,853.25 crore.

HDFC Bank‘s valuation eroded by Rs 37,580.1 crore to Rs 13,65,659.38 crore.
The market valuation of Reliance Industries dropped by Rs 34,846.12 crore to Rs 18,86,832.66 crore, and that of Bajaj Finance tanked by Rs 20,316.41 crore to Rs 6,20,070.59 crore.Tata Consultancy Services‘ market capitalisation (mcap) slumped Rs 18,180.89 crore to Rs 9,53,872.59 crore.

The valuation of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) dived Rs 14,990.24 crore to Rs 5,37,213.68 crore, and that of Larsen & Toubro fell by Rs 13,714.85 crore to Rs 5,88,837.39 crore.

The mcap of State Bank of India declined by Rs 13,061.33 crore to Rs 11,09,520.23 crore.

The valuation of ICICI Bank dipped by Rs 10,360.03 crore to Rs 9,86,986.64 crore.

However, Hindustan Unilever added Rs 5,462.81 crore, taking its mcap to Rs 5,49,393.18 crore.

Reliance Industries retained the title of the most valued firm, followed by HDFC Bank, State Bank of India, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, TCS, Bajaj Finance, Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Unilever and LIC.

“It was a massive loss for the disability sector when Clarity went under. So, will we ever have businesses again that are of that scale, that are public facing, doing those amazing things? Maybe not, but we’re doing it in our own way now at Amplify Goods,” she says.

Nifty’s decisive breach of its 200-day SMA at the close of the month has intensified concerns around a potential retest of recent swing lows, signalling that the market’s medium-term support framework is under pressure, says Anand James, Chief Market Strategist at Geojit Investments.

However, he notes that momentum oscillators have yet to confirm a full-fledged breakdown, indicating that an outright collapse is not imminent unless key support levels are decisively breached.

Edited excerpts from a chat:

Nifty ended the week around 1% lower as IT stocks pulled the index down. How do you see the market shaping up in the first week of March?

After persistently preventing a breakdown despite multiple attempts throughout the month, the 200-day SMA finally gave way on the last working day of the month. This has raised worries of a retest of February lows of 24571. However, with the first test of the lower Bollinger band, with super trend support at 25033 available within touching distance, we are hopeful of a recovery move in the second half of the week. However, slippage past the 25000 region could negate the prospects of a near-term recovery. That said, oscillators are yet to signal an outright collapse.

In the last 3 days, Nifty IT attempted to climb up. What do you think is this a dead cat bounce or sustainable uptrend? Is it too early to say that IT stocks have bottomed out?

Over the past few sessions, Nifty IT’s bounce looks more like a technical rebound than the start of a sustainable uptrend. The index recently hit a fresh 52 week low near 29875, and despite a minor uptick, it continues to trade below key moving averages, confirming a bearish setup.

On the daily chart, price remains below the immediate resistance at 31100-31300, and only a decisive move above 33200-34400 would indicate a structural trend change. Until then, rallies are vulnerable to selling. The weekly chart reinforces this weakness with the index breaking down from a recent H&S structure, marking a clear bearish phase.
If we look at the seasonality, the last 15 years show that March has been net negative on average for the Nifty IT Index, with a low win rate of just 40% and relatively high volatility, forming a bearish cloud over the sector.Given this backdrop, it is too early to declare a bottom. For a meaningful trend reversal, the index must protect 30,000 and form a higher low and reclaim and hold above 33,200-34,400.

Hence, the recent uptick in Nifty IT is more likely a dead‑cat bounce than the beginning of a new uptrend. The sector remains in a deep corrective phase with no confirmed bottom yet. We will wait for the price to reclaim key resistance zones before treating any bounce as the start of a durable reversal.

In the last 3 trading sessions, have we seen shorts winding up in IT stocks?

Although the first two sessions of the new series witnessed short‑covering in several stock futures, major index constituents such as TCS, Wipro, and Tech Mahindra lost momentum on Friday. Around 60% of the near‑ITM and OTM call option strikes saw fresh short additions, indicating caution at higher levels. Additionally, nearly 60% of stock futures registered short build‑up on Friday, and close to 80% showed short additions on a week‑on‑week basis. Overall, the derivatives landscape suggests that traders remain unconvinced by the recent pullback and may be positioning lightly for further downside before considering fresh bullish exposure.

Metals are doing well. What are the charts telling you?

On the daily chart, the Nifty Metal Index is consolidating just below the 12450-12500 resistance zone, marked by multiple failed attempts to break higher. Candles show tight-bodied price action near the upper band of the previous rally, indicating buyers are still active but facing overhead supply. The trend structure remains positive with price holding above the short‑term moving averages and maintaining higher lows. However, the latest red candle and a mild rollover in the MACD histogram suggest short‑term loss of momentum, warranting caution if 12150-12200 is breached.

On the weekly chart, the index has displayed a strong medium-term uptrend, having broken above prior swing highs with expanding bullish candles. The price continues to ride the green cloud zone, reflecting healthy trend strength. Elevated volumes in recent weeks reinforce the possibility of institutional participation.

If we look at the derivatives picture, it presents mixed signals. Around 80% of metal stock futures saw short additions on Friday, while roughly 60% added longs on a week‑on‑week basis. Furthermore, nearly 80% of the near‑OTM call option strikes witnessed short build‑up on Friday. Taken together, F&O traders appear to be positioning for some short‑term negativity

So, expect near term weakness but a decisive weekly close above 12,500 could trigger the next leg higher.

Tejas was the biggest gainer in the week. How would you trade the stock now?

The steepness of the last two days’ rise as well as the approach of a near term resistance at 441 raises potential for a pause. However, we believe that the stock is poised for larger gains, supported by a narrow range breakout as well as bullish continuation patterns, projecting a near term objective of 522-533. Stop loss may be placed near 389 or 376.

Give us your top ideas of the week.

PARAGMILK (CMP: 202)

View: Buy

Target: 222 – 235

Stoploss – 187The weekly chart shows the stock in a corrective phase after a sharp decline from the 360-380 region. Price has now dropped toward a key support zone around 180-190, which aligns closely with the 200 WMA, historically a strong long‑term support area. The Doji candle formed in the weekly scale reflects a slowdown in bearish momentum, suggesting early signs of stabilization as buyers attempt to defend this level.

Despite the correction, the broader trend structure from mid‑2023 to 2025 still reflects a sequence of higher highs and higher lows keeping the longer‑term uptrend intact.

The weekly MACD histograms have shifted back in favor of buyers. A flattening or upward turn in the MACD line would serve as the first confirmation of renewed strength.

Overall, the stock is positioned at a critical support juncture warranting a pullback toward 225-235, while a decisive close below the 200-week moving average may open downside potential toward 160.

HEG (CMP: 578)

View: Buy

Target: 625

Stoploss – 560HEG is displaying a steady medium‑term uptrend on the weekly chart, supported by consistent higher lows since mid‑2024. The price continues to trade well above the 200‑WMA, indicating strong long‑term structural strength. Recent candles show tightening consolidation between 540 and 600, suggesting the stock is building energy for its next directional move.

The latest bounce from the lower end of this range reflects active dip buying, keeping the overall bias positive as long as the stock holds above 560-40. A decisive weekly close above 600 would confirm a breakout continuation, opening the path toward higher targets.

The weekly MACD remains slightly positive but flat, implying momentum is still neutral and awaiting a trigger.

Overall, HEG remains in a constructive setup. Sustaining above support and breaking past 600 with volume would strengthen the bullish case.

Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) infused Rs 22,615 crore into Indian equities, marking the highest monthly inflow in 17 months, driven by the interim India-US trade deal, correction in domestic market valuations and robust third-quarter corporate earnings.

The latest buying follows three consecutive months of heavy selling. FPIs pulled out Rs 35,962 crore in January, Rs 22,611 crore in December and Rs 3,765 crore in November, according to data from the depositories.

Overall, FPIs have withdrawn a net Rs 1.66 lakh crore (USD 18.9 billion) from Indian equities in 2025, making it one of the worst periods for foreign flows. The outflows were triggered by volatile currency movements, global trade tensions, concerns over potential US tariffs and stretched equity valuations.

According to the data, FPIs invested Rs 22,615 crore in February. This was the highest monthly inflow since September 2024, when they had invested Rs 57,724 crore.

The inflow was driven by secondary market buying, signalling renewed foreign confidence post-2025 outflows, said Vinit Bolinjkar, Head of Research at Ventura.

Javed Khan, Senior Fundamental Analyst at Angel One Ltd, said three key catalysts supported the inflow. These included India-US trade agreements and corrections in India’s market valuation. Additionally, Q3 FY26 earnings grew 14.7 per cent, suggesting confidence in the growth narrative.
Echoing similar views, Varun Gupta, CEO of Groww Mutual Fund, attributed the renewed inflows to improving earnings momentum, moderation in valuations from peak levels and early signs of easing trade uncertainty, with India concluding multiple FTAs, including those with the EU and UK.Sectorally, FPIs were aggressive buyers in financials and capital goods, while continuing to pare exposure to the IT sector. The segment saw outflows of Rs 10,956 crore amid concerns over AI-led disruption.

“FPIs had sold heavily in IT stocks due to the Anthropic shock and continued weakness in the segment. However, they turned buyers in financial services and capital goods,” said VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments.

Looking ahead, Khan said March flows are expected to remain positive. Q4 earnings will determine whether 15 per cent earnings growth in FY27 is achievable, while rupee stability below Rs 91 to the dollar provides comfort on returns.

Vijayakumar said FPIs are likely to adopt a wait-and-watch approach before increasing exposure to emerging markets. However, improving GDP growth prospects and a healthy corporate earnings outlook for FY27 bode well for medium-term flows.

Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East has triggered a risk-on sentiment in financial markets. Its impact on crude prices and currency movements remains a key monitorable, he added.

Nifty ended sharply lower on Friday amid broad-based selling pressure. Auto, financials and FMCG stocks were the key laggards, while the IT sector witnessed selective buying. The index has declined steeply after remaining below its key short-term moving average for three consecutive sessions.

Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities, noted that the index has also slipped below the 200-day moving average (DMA), signalling continued weakness in the near term. “The RSI indicator has turned sharply bearish. In the short term, the index may remain under selling pressure, with rallies likely to be sold into. Immediate support is placed at 25,000 and 24,750, while resistance is seen at 25,370,” De said.

Here are 2 stock recommendations for Monday:

Buy RR Kabel at Rs 1,562 | Upside: 6%

Stop Loss: below Rs 1,515

Target: Rs 1,655
RR Kabel is showing a bullish continuation setup on the weekly timeframe. Price has broken above a multi-month consolidation zone near Rs 1,520–Rs 1,550, confirming a range breakout. The stock is trading above its 20/50/100/200 EMAs, indicating strong trend alignment and medium-term bullish structure. The 20 EMA has crossed above the 50 EMA, supporting positive momentum. RSI (14) is near 58–60, holding above the midline without being overbought, suggesting further upside potential. Volume expansion on breakout strengthens the move. Higher highs and higher lows confirm trend reversal from the previous corrective phase.(Drumil Vithlani, Technical Research Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio)

Buy Siemens at Rs 3,418 | Upside: 6%

Stop Loss: Rs 3,315 – Rs 3,330

Target: Rs 3,590 – Rs 3,620

Siemens Limited has given a fresh breakout on the daily chart, closing decisively above recent swing highs with strong bullish momentum. The price is trading above its 20/50/100/200 EMAs, indicating a well-established uptrend. RSI is hovering near the 65 zone, reflecting strengthening momentum without entering extreme overbought territory. Volume expansion on the breakout further validates buying interest. Traders can consider initiating fresh long positions at current levels, maintaining strict risk management as long as the price sustains above the breakout zone.

(Drumil Vithlani, Technical Research Analyst, Bonanza Portfolio)

(Disclaimer: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)