Stock market today: Nifty50 opens flat; BSE Sensex near 82,500
Times of India
by TOI BUSINESS DESKFebruary 20, 2026
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Indian stock markets opened flat on Friday following a sharp decline the previous day due to escalating geopolitical tensions, particularly involving Iran. The Nifty50 index was trading above 25,450, while the BSE Sensex hovered near 82,500. At 9:17 AM, the Nifty50 stood at 25,471.70, up by 17 points or 0.068%, and the Sensex was at 82,505.86, up by 8 points or 0.0094%. Yesterday’s crash ended a three-session rally, with investors adopting a cautious stance amid rising global tensions and concerns over potential disruptions to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for India.
Market experts warn that any escalation in the situation involving Iran could significantly impact global oil markets, as the Strait of Hormuz is crucial for oil transportation. This has raised fears about the availability of crude oil imports, which are essential for India’s energy needs. Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Investments Limited, noted that the surge in Brent crude prices to $72 reflects growing market uncertainty. He pointed out President Trump’s recent warning that Iran has a limited timeframe to strike a deal, leaving markets on edge. Whether a resolution is reached or tensions escalate further will heavily influence short-term market behavior.
The weakness in IT stocks and other sectors has added to investor concerns. However, Dr. Vijayakumar highlighted positive factors such as India’s economic resilience, recovery in corporate earnings (as seen in Q3 results), and potential opportunities for investors to buy undervalued stocks in sectors like banking, financials, autos, pharmaceuticals, hotels, capital goods, and telecom if markets stabilize. He urged investors to remain cautious but optimistic, suggesting that any resolution of the
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/20/2026