Mumbai, February 16, 2026 – Indian benchmarks deepened their February slide on Monday, with Nifty tumbling 0.8% to 25,300 and Sensex shedding 0.9% to 82,700, battered by persistent FII selling (₹3,000 Cr net out) and pre-earnings caution in consumer and infra sectors. At least 30 scrips hit lower price bands (mostly 5-10%), halting trades amid margin calls and global yield pressures. This extends the month's volatility, wiping ₹120 Cr in value from leaders like Bluejet (down 9.99% to ₹357.60 on pharma slowdown), Relinfra (locked 4.99% at ₹98.91 amid infra woes), and Take (down 3.99% to ₹46.90 on defense margin squeeze).
The rout underscores broader risk-off sentiment, with SMEs and BE series hardest hit on thin liquidity. Volumes contracted 18%, but sellers dominated 3:1. Analysts flag Q3 previews as key—potential relief if IT/pharma deliver.
Top Lower Band Hitters (Sorted by Traded Value)
Snapshot of the biggest losers by value, from BSE/NSE:
| Rank | Stock Name | Series | LTP (₹) | % Decline (Band) | Volume (Lakh Shares) | Traded Value (₹ Cr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bluejet | EQ | 357.60 | -9.99 (10%) | 22.24 | 80.19 |
| 2 | Relinfra | BE | 98.91 | -4.99 | 11.82 | 11.73 |
| 3 | Take | BE | 46.90 | -3.99 | 13.66 | 6.53 |
| 4 | Faze3q | EQ | 564.95 | -7.58 (10%) | 0.93 | 5.37 |
| 5 | Stallion | EQ | 157.11 | -4.99 | 3.21 | 5.07 |
| 6 | Ganeshin | SM | 98.60 | -4.96 | 0.82 | 0.80 |
| 7 | Techlabs | SM | 182.75 | -3.05 | 0.39 | 0.69 |
| 8 | Dharan | BZ | 0.18 | 0.00 | 396.37 | 0.67 |
| 9 | Iware | ST | 247.00 | -4.98 | 0.21 | 0.52 |
| 10 | Kandarp | SM | 149.60 | -4.99 | 0.16 | 0.24 |
| 11 | Zenithstl | EQ | 4.60 | -4.96 | 5.12 | 0.24 |
| 12 | Tphq | EQ | 0.59 | -1.67 | 21.06 | 0.12 |
| 13 | Captrust | EQ | 15.33 | -4.96 | 0.63 | 0.10 |
Key Highlights:
- Bluejet's Pharma Plunge: Down 9.99% to ₹357.60, losing ₹80.19 Cr on export curbs—volumes exploded 6x.
- Relinfra's Infra Ebb: Locked -4.99% at ₹98.91 amid project delays, shedding ₹11.73 Cr; retail favorite turns sour.
- Take's Defense Dip: Slid 3.99% to ₹46.90, wiping ₹6.53 Cr on order fears.
- SME Bloodbath: Faze3q (-7.58%) and Stallion (-4.99%) led small-cap hits on leverage unwind and Q3 uncertainty.
