Indian equity markets are poised for a flat-to-positive opening on February 12, 2026, amid mixed global cues and ongoing consolidation in benchmark indices. Overnight, US markets ended mixed following robust jobs data, which tempered expectations for aggressive Federal Reserve rate cuts, while Asian indices showed strength with Japan's Nikkei 225 surging past 58,000. Gift Nifty futures were trading around 25,990-26,000 levels, signaling a mild upside bias of 0.10-0.15% from Nifty's previous close of 25,953.85. European markets traded flat-to-negative, contributing to neutral global sentiment.
Key themes today include renewed focus on banking and autos amid India-US trade deal optimism, which reduces tariffs on Indian goods to 18% from 50%, potentially boosting exports. Total recommendations compiled: 25 unique calls from brokerages like Motilal Oswal, ICICI Direct, and NDTV Profit. Standout picks: TVS Motor upgraded to Buy by Business Line with a target of ₹4,050 (upside 5%); Federal Bank as a consensus Buy from multiple sources; and upgrades in large-caps like HDFC Bank. Investors should monitor Q3 earnings from companies like Hindalco, ONGC, and Hindustan Unilever for sector-specific triggers.
Section 1: Index Outlook
Benchmark indices are expected to consolidate with a positive bias, supported by FII inflows and trade deal optimism. Nifty 50 faces resistance at 26,000, with support at 25,800-25,900. Sensex may hover around 84,200-84,500. Volatility remains low (India VIX down 1.05%), but global data like US inflation could influence sentiment.
| Index |
Recommendation |
Target/Range |
Key Driver |
Source |
| Nifty 50 |
Neutral/Bullish |
25,900-26,200 |
Consolidation; trade deal boost |
5paisa, ET Now |
| Sensex |
Neutral |
84,200-84,800 |
Mixed global cues; FII support |
Business Standard |
| Bank Nifty |
Bullish |
60,500-61,000 |
RBI policy stability; tariff cuts |
NDTV Profit |
| Nifty Midcap |
Hold |
12,500-12,800 |
Export-linked recovery |
ICICI Direct |
Section 2: Sector-Wise Stock Picks
Banking & Financials
Focus on private lenders benefiting from trade deal tariff reductions and improved asset quality.
- Federal Bank (FEDERALBN.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹250 (Upside: 15%), Rationale: RBI approval for ICICI Pru stake buy; consensus pick amid loan growth. Source: NDTV Profit, ICICI Direct.
- HDFC Bank (HDFCBANK.NS) – Upgraded to Buy, Target: ₹2,050 (Upside: 15%), Rationale: Strong retail franchise; tariff cuts aid exports. Source: MarketsMojo.
- IDBI Bank (IDBI.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹150 (Upside: 12%), Rationale: Improving NII; trade optimism. Source: NDTV Profit.
- SBI (SBIN.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹1,100 (Upside: 20%), Rationale: Low NPAs; huge market potential. Source: Motilal Oswal.
IT & Tech
Selective buying amid global recovery; AI and export focus.
- HCL Tech (HCLTECH.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹2,150 (Upside: 18%), Rationale: AI services shift; large market. Source: Motilal Oswal.
- Netweb Technologies (NETWEB.NS) – Watch, Rationale: Promoter stake sale; Q3 profit up. Source: Sunday Guardian.
Autos & Ancillaries
Strong demand; EV push from trade deal.
- TVS Motor (TVSMOTOR.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹4,050 (Upside: 5%), Rationale: Bullish outlook; EV race winner. Source: Business Line, Motilal Oswal.
- Maruti Suzuki (MARUTI.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹15,000 (Upside: 10%), Rationale: Auto major; steady demand. Source: NDTV Profit.
- Uno Minda (UNOMINDA.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹1,200 (Upside: 8%), Rationale: EV ancillary growth. Source: NDTV Profit.
Consumer & Retail
Mixed; focus on Q3 beats.
- Avenue Supermarts (DMART.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹5,500 (Upside: 12%), Rationale: Retail giant; expansion. Source: NDTV Profit.
- Hindustan Unilever (HINDUNILVR.NS) – Upgraded to Buy, Target: ₹3,200 (Upside: 10%), Rationale: Technical upgrade; stable demand. Source: MarketsMojo.
Industrials & Infrastructure
Trade deal boosts exports.
- L&T (LT.NS) – Watch, Rationale: Dubai project win; infrastructure push. Source: Equitymaster.
- IRCON International (IRCON.NS) – Watch, Rationale: Q3 profit up 16%; order wins. Source: Sunday Guardian.
Telecom
Export potential.
- Bharti Airtel (BHARTIARTL.NS) – Buy, Target: ₹2,365 (Upside: 15%), Rationale: Market share; data prices. Source: Motilal Oswal.
| Metric |
Banking |
Autos |
IT |
Consumer |
| Target Upside (%) |
12-20 |
5-15 |
18 |
10-12 |
Section 3: Global & Thematic Insights
Global brokerages like Jefferies remain overweight on India for 2026, targeting Nifty at 28,300 (10% upside), favoring autos, telecom, and financials amid earnings recovery. Thematic focus: EV and export-linked stocks (e.g., TVS Motor) benefit from US tariff cuts. BSE announcements highlight block deals in Netweb Tech, implying analyst interest. Blogs like Capitalmind emphasize midcaps for value.
Conclusion & Disclaimer
Overall sentiment is neutral-to-bullish, with upside potential in banking and autos. Investors should watch Federal Bank and TVS Motor for near-term gains. This is aggregated data for informational purposes; consult an advisor. Not investment advice.
Sources & Citations
Domestic Brokerages
- Motilal Oswal - High Return Stocks for 2026 https://www.motilaloswal.com/learning-centre/2026/2/best-high-return-stocks-to-buy-in-india-2026
- Geojit Insights - 2026: A Better Year for Indian Stock Market https://insights.geojit.com/2025/12/31/2026-a-better-year-for-indian-stock-market
- Anand Rathi - Union Budget 2026–27: Major Announcements https://anandrathi.com/blog/union-budget-2026-27-major-announcements-sector-impact
- ICICI Direct - Market Trade Sideways; Pharma Shares Advance https://www.icicidirect.com/share-market-today/market-news-commentary/market-trade-sideways-pharma-shares-advance/1675194
- Motilal Oswal - Best Drone Stocks in India for 2026 https://www.motilaloswal.com/learning-centre/2026/1/best-drone-stocks-in-india-for-2026-top-long-term-picks
- ICICI Direct - Momentum Picks https://www.icicidirect.com/mailimages/momentum_picks.pdf
- HDFC Securities - High Yielding Dividend Stocks https://www.hdfcsec.com/market/equity/equity-best-dividends
- ICICI Direct - Share Market Today https://www.icicidirect.com/share-market-today
- ICICI Direct - Market Strategy 2026 https://www.icicidirect.com/mailcontent/idirect_marketstrategy_2026.pdf
- ICICI Direct - Market Strategy - India US Trade Deal https://www.icicidirect.com/mailcontent/idirect_marketstrategy-us-india-tradedeal.pdf
- Motilal Oswal - Nomura Predicts Nifty Target of 29,300 https://www.motilaloswal.com/news/nifty/13776
- ICICI Direct - Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd https://www.icicidirect.com/mailcontent/idirect_lthl_q3fy26.pdf
- ICICI Direct - HAL Share Price Today https://www.icicidirect.com/stocks/hindustan-aeronautics-ltd-share-price
- ICICI Direct - Stock Research & Trading Analysis https://www.icicidirect.com/research
- HDFC Securities - Emergent Industrial Solutions Ltd https://www.hdfcsec.com/market/company/emergentindustrialsolutionsltd-1707
Global Brokerages
- Goldman Sachs - Outlook for India's Economy in 2026 https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/the-outlook-for-indias-economy-in-2026-amid-new-us-tradedeal
- Morgan Stanley - Case for India's Market Comeback https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/podcasts/thoughts-on-the-market/india-market-momentum-2026-ridham-desai
- Morgan Stanley - India's Economic Growth: Bottom-Up Stock Picking https://www.morganstanley.com/im/en-gb/intermediary-investor/insights/articles/opportunity-optimum-the-india-opportunity.html
- Morgan Stanley - What's Driving European Stocks in 2026 https://www.morganstanley.com/insights/podcasts/thoughts-on-the-market/european-stock-market-2026-outlook-paul-walsh-marina-zavolock
- UBS - House View February 2026 https://advisors.ubs.com/mediahandler/media/778486/UBS%20House%20View%20February%202026.pdf
- Goldman Sachs - Americas First https://www.goldmansachs.com/pdfs/insights/goldman-sachs-research/americas-first/report.pdf
- Morgan Stanley - 2026 Outlooks https://www.morganstanley.com/Themes/outlooks
- Goldman Sachs - India's Economy Likely to Stand Firm https://www.goldmansachs.com/insights/articles/indias-economy-is-likely-to-stand-firm-in-an-uncertain-world
- Morgan Stanley - Unexpected Winners of a Divided World https://www.morganstanley.com/im/fr-fr/institutional-investor/insights/tales-from-the-emerging-world/the-unexpected-winners-of-a-divided-world.html
- UBS - House View Monthly Letter January 2026 https://www.ubs.com/global/en/wealthmanagement/insights/chief-investment-office/house-view/2026/weekly-key-messages/_jcr_content/root/contentarea/mainpar/toplevelgrid_1825995/col_2/textimage_copy_442954538.0440180005.file/dGV4dD0vY29udGVudC9kYW0vYXNzZXRzL3dtL2dsb2JhbC9kb2MvdWJzLWh2LW1vbnRobHktbGV0dGVyLTIyLWphbnVhcnktZW4ucGRm/ubs-hv-monthly-letter-22-january-en.pdf
- Morgan Stanley - India Private Equity Outlook https://www.morganstanley.com/im/en-hk/intermediary-investor/insights/articles/why-invest-in-asian-private-equity.html
- Morgan Stanley - Wealth Management Perspectives https://advisor.morganstanley.com/the-bpcg-group/documents/field/b/bp/bpcg-group/MSWM_Slides_01152026_herreang_(1).pdf
- Morgan Stanley - Asia Opportunity Fund https://www.morganstanley.com/im/publication/msinvf/commentary/hkretail/ic_msinvf_asiaopportunity_enhk.pdf
- UBS - India Opp Equity https://www.ubs.com/pt/en/assetmanagement/funds/asset-class/lu2924885218-ubs-india-opp-equity-usd-p-acc-pd001.html
- Macquarie Group - 2026 Operational Briefing https://www.macquarie.com/assets/macq/investor/results-and-presentations/2026/macquarie-group-2026-operational-briefing-presentation.pdf
- Goldman Sachs - AI: In a Bubble? https://www.goldmansachs.com/pdfs/insights/goldman-sachs-research/ai-in-a-bubble/report.pdf
Financial News Wires & Portals
- Moneycontrol - Trade Setup for February 12 https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/trade-setup-for-february-12-top-15-things-to-know-before-the-opening-bell-2-13824071.html
- Moneycontrol - Stocks to Watch Today https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/stocks-to-watch-today-lenskart-lg-electronics-federal-bank-netweb-tech-kernex-microsystems-orkla-ircon-yatra-online-elgi-equipments-in-focus-on-12-february-13824150.html
- Moneycontrol - Trade Spotlight https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/trade-spotlight-how-should-you-trade-tvs-motor-astral-aditya-birla-sun-life-amc-max-healthcare-institute-hul-federal-bank-and-others-on-february-12-13824206.html
- Economic Times - Top 10 Mutual Funds February 2026 https://m.economictimes.indiatimes.com/mf/analysis/top-10-mutual-funds-to-invest-in-february-2026/articleshow/127875494.cms
- Moneycontrol - First Tick: Top Global Cues https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/first-tick-top-global-cues-to-watch-in-today-s-trade-96-13823433.html
- Economic Times - Stock Recommendations https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/recos/marketnewslist/3053611.cms
- Economic Times - Stocks to Buy in 2026 https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/stocks-to-buy-in-2026-for-long-term-vedanta-delhivery-among-5-stocks-that-could-give-10-30-return/slideshow/127875754.cms
- Economic Times - Stocks to Buy: Angel One, Groww https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/stocks-to-buy-in-2026-angel-one-groww-among-5-picks-for-1530-long-term-returns/slideshow/126545748.cms
- Economic Times - Stocks to Buy: Paytm, Canara Bank https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/stocks-to-buy-in-2026-for-long-term-paytm-canara-bank-among-5-stocks-that-could-give-10-30-return/slideshow/127850935.cms
- Moneycontrol - Trading Plan https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/trading-plan-will-nifty-50-defend-25-900-bank-nifty-hold-above-60-500-amid-ongoing-consolidation-13824216.html
- Economic Times - Stocks to Buy: United Spirits https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/stocks-to-buy-in-2026-united-spirits-bajaj-consumer-among-5-stocks-that-could-give-10-40-return-in-long-term/morgan-stanley-on-pnb-housing-finance/slideshow/127222646.cms
- Economic Times - Jefferies Picks 10 Stocks https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/jefferies-picks-10-stocks-that-could-benefit-from-possible-budget-2026-announcements-do-you-own-any/budget-bets/slideshow/127675120.cms
- Moneycontrol - Pick Your Companies Right https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/markets/pick-your-companies-right-and-it-should-not-be-difficult-to-deliver-reasonable-returns-this-is-a-year-for-stock-picking-kenneth-andrade-13824055.html
- Economic Times - Stock Recommendations https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/recos
- Economic Times - 5 Stocks YES Securities https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/markets/stocks/news/5-stocks-yes-securities-expects-to-shine-in-2026-with-upsides-up-to-26/slideshow/126538367.cms
- Reuters - Indian Shares Rise on US Trade Optimism https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-shares-set-higher-open-india-us-trade-optimism-global-cues-2026-02-09
Research Aggregators
- Screener - Best Stock in 2026 https://www.screener.in/screens/3187942/best-stock-in-2026
- Trendlyne - Oil India Share Price Target https://trendlyne.com/research-reports/stock/965/OIL/oil-india-ltd
- Trendlyne - Engineers India Share Price Target https://trendlyne.com/research-reports/stock/380/ENGINERSIN/engineers-india-ltd
- Trendlyne - Vodafone Idea Brokerage Reports https://trendlyne.com/research-reports/stock/589/IDEA/vodafone-idea-ltd
- Trendlyne - Insider Trading Tracker https://us.trendlyne.com/us/equity/group-insider-trading/all/all?defaultStockgroup=all%2Fall%2F&end-date=2026-02-12&start-date=2026-02-12
- Trendlyne - Go Fashion Share Price Target https://trendlyne.com/research-reports/stock/728986/GOCOLORS/go-fashion-india-ltd
- Trendlyne - Insider Trading & SAST https://trendlyne.com/equity/group-insider-trading-sast
- Trendlyne - Five Stocks to Buy This Week https://trendlyne.com/posts/4989127/five-stocks-to-buy-from-analysts-this-week-february-12-2025
- Screener - MultiBagger Stock 2026 https://www.screener.in/screens/2548157/multibagger-stock-2026
- Screener - Waaree Energies https://www.screener.in/company/WAAREEENER/consolidated
- Screener - Bharat Forge https://www.screener.in/company/BHARATFORG/consolidated
- Screener - Varun Beverages https://www.screener.in/company/VBL/consolidated
- Trendlyne - Stock Market Sector Analysis https://trendlyne.com/equity/sector-industry-analysis/sector/month
- Trendlyne - Home Page https://trendlyne.com/
- Screener - Hindustan Aeronautics https://www.screener.in/company/HAL/consolidated
- Screener - P I Industries https://www.screener.in/company/PIIND/consolidated
- Screener - State Bank of India https://www.screener.in/company/SBIN/consolidated