Despite escalating tensions between the US and Iran, bulls stepped in to support the Indian stock market on Friday, February 20, after it witnessed its worst single-day crash since the Union Budget in the previous session.<\/p>\n
The support was largely led by financials, followed by metals and the FMCG sector, with the Nifty 50 eventually settling above the key 25,500<\/a> level at 25,570, 0.46% higher than the previous close. The S&P BSE Sensex finished the trade 0.38% higher at the 82,814 level.<\/p>\n Today’s rebound also helped both indices close the week with gains of over 0.40%. Renewed buying was also seen in broader markets, with the Nifty Midcap 100 rising 0.48%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index closed with a modest decline of 0.11%.<\/p>\n Also Read | Stock Market Today LIVE: Sensex ends 317 pts higher, Nifty 50 holds above 25,500<\/a><\/p>\n On the geopolitical front, statements from the US and Iran indicate a potential escalation toward war in the Middle East.<\/p>\n US President Donald Trump warned Iran on Thursday that it must make a deal<\/a> over its nuclear programme or \u201creally bad things\u201d would happen and set Tehran a deadline of 10 to 15 days to cooperate.<\/p>\n In response, Iran reportedly said it would retaliate against US bases in the region if attacked, which led to a strong rally in global crude oil prices.<\/p>\n Buying emerges across capital goods; Brainbees Solutions ends four-day sell-off<\/p>\n Stocks from the capital goods space have seen a strong rise in demand, with Thermax, Apar Industries, Hitachi Energy India, KEI Industries, Siemens, and GE Vernova T&D India all rallying between 3% and 5%.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, investors reacted positively to ABB\u2019s performance in the December quarter<\/a>, pushing the stock to close 4.7% higher than the previous close at \u20b95,987 apiece.<\/p>\n Also Read | Sensex gains over 300 points\u2014 Why did the stock market rise?<\/a><\/p>\n Passenger vehicle maker Hyundai Motor India also came under the bulls\u2019 radar today, with the stock gaining 5.15% to \u20b92,293, which is also its highest level in four weeks.<\/p>\n Following a rating upgrade to ‘Add,’ PB Fintech shares jumped 3.3% to \u20b91,513 apiece, while keeping their bull run intact.<\/p>\n Transformers & Rectifiers rallied another 3.17% to \u20b9313, closing the week up 15.77%, marking its highest weekly gain in 2026.<\/p>\n PSU banks<\/a> such as Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, and Indian Bank jumped 3.2%, 2.8%, 2.4%, and 2%, respectively.<\/p>\n In the metal pack, Hindalco Industries strengthened 3.3% to \u20b9935 apiece. Others from the sector, including Jindal Stainless, Jindal Saw, and SAIL, all closed with gains of around 2%.<\/p>\n