Published on: 27 Feb, 2026 08:45

Indian benchmarks are set for a flat-to-mildly lower open on February 27, 2026, as Gift Nifty signals consolidation amid mixed global cues and sustained FII outflows offset by domestic buying. Early brokerage calls highlight resilience in FMCG and cyclicals, with technical picks driving stock-specific momentum.

Introduction Indian equity benchmarks are expected to open flat to mildly lower on Friday, February 27, 2026, as pre-market signals reflect consolidation amid subdued global cues. The Nifty 50 closed at 25,496.55 (up 0.06%) and Sensex at 82,248.61 (down 0.03%) on February 26.

Latest Gift Nifty (as of ~8:09–8:35 AM IST): Trading around 25,547–25,555 levels (down ~40–110 points from implied futures close), pointing to a near-flat to marginal gap-down open. Asian markets were mixed (Hang Seng +0.7%, Nikkei/Topix mixed, Shanghai flat), while Wall Street closed lower on Nvidia-led tech weakness. FII selling continued yesterday, but DIIs provided support.

At 8:45 AM IST (still pre-open on this trading Friday), fresh brokerage calls have picked up momentum compared to early morning. Key themes include FMCG resilience, domestic cyclicals, and selective technical/intraday setups. Standout fresh calls:

  • Motilal Oswal’s Buy on Ultratech Cement (target ₹15,000)
  • Bajaj Broking’s Buys on Colgate-Palmolive and Varun Beverages
  • Vaishali Parekh’s intraday Buys on Greaves Cotton, Astra Microwave, and Avalon Technologies
  • BusinessLine’s technical Buy on Samvardhana Motherson International

Overall, analysts anticipate range-bound action with stock-specific moves driven by domestic demand visibility.

Section 1: Index Outlook The market remains in a consolidation phase near key supports, with no clear directional breakout yet. Volatility is controlled but traders must watch for moves outside the immediate range.

Updated key levels and views (fresh inputs as of 8:45 AM):

Index Outlook Support Levels Resistance Levels Key Driver Source
Nifty 50 Range-bound / Cautious 25,400 (close); 25,350–25,380; 25,250 (200-DMA); 25,240 25,600–25,650; 25,700; 25,780–25,940 Hold above 25,400 or breakdown risk; sell-on-rise near 25,700 Moneycontrol (Samco, JM Financial, Choice), NDTV Profit, Swastika
Sensex Non-directional 82,000; 81,800 82,600; 83,000+ Mirror of Nifty; stock-specific action Multiple aggregator notes
Bank Nifty Mild positive bias (range-bound) 60,800–61,000; 60,400; 60,500 61,400–61,700; 61,770; 62,000+ Put writing at lower end; breakout above 61,700 for momentum Moneycontrol (Samco, JM, Choice)

Nifty notes: Capped below 20/50-DEMA; aggressive call writing at 25,500–25,600. Bearish if closes below 25,400; bullish trigger above 25,940. Bank Nifty notes: Defined range 60,800–61,500; buy-on-dips above 61,100 close valid; sustained move above 61,700 unlocks 62,000+.

Sectoral bias (unchanged from earlier notes): Positive in Metal, Fin Services, Infra, Midcap, Auto, Pharma; IT weaker; FMCG sideways-to-positive on selective buys today.

Section 2: Sector-Wise Stock Picks & Thematic Calls More fresh calls have emerged by 8:45 AM. Here are the key ones issued/updated today:

FMCG / Consumer (Bajaj Broking Research – published today)

  • Colgate-Palmolive (India): Buy in ₹2,265–2,305 | Target ₹2,470 (6-month horizon, ~8.5% upside). Rationale: Breakout above 7-month falling wedge; end of corrective phase with strong buying momentum.
  • Varun Beverages (VBL): Buy in ₹455–463 | Target ₹519 (12-month horizon, ~13% upside). Rationale: Double-digit growth visibility on capacity expansion, rural/semi-urban demand, and mix resilience (low/no-sugar ~59% of volumes).

Cement (Motilal Oswal – fresh rating mentioned at 08:35 AM IST in ET live updates)

  • Ultratech Cement: Buy | Target ₹15,000. (Specific rationale not detailed in early scans but aligns with domestic infrastructure/capex theme.)

Technical / Intraday Picks

  • Samvardhana Motherson International (MOTHERSON) (BusinessLine “Stock to Buy Today”): Buy at ₹135 | Target ₹150. Rationale: Bullish uptrend since April 2025; rebound from ₹129 support + rising trendline; positive momentum for near-term rally.
  • Vaishali Parekh’s Intraday Buys (for today’s session):
    • Greaves Cotton: Buy ₹157.50 | Target ₹165 | Stop-loss ₹154
    • Astra Microwave Products: Buy ₹991 | Target ₹1,040 | Stop-loss ₹970
    • Avalon Technologies: Buy ₹1,024 | Target ₹1,070 | Stop-loss ₹1,000

Thematic Focus (Motilal Oswal – reiterated today): In heightened global volatility, prioritize domestic-facing sectors — PSU banks, autos & ancillaries (e.g., Motherson, Greaves), healthcare, metals, capital goods, and select FMCG for stronger demand visibility.

Stocks in news/to watch (corporate triggers, not formal recos): Hindalco, IRFC, BPCL, HCLTech, Brigade Enterprises, NBCC, Vishal Mega Mart (block deal), etc.

Section 3: Global & Thematic Insights Global cues remain cautious (US tech sell-off, mixed Asia). No major new regulatory triggers from BSE/NSE this morning beyond routine IPO/allotment updates. Thematic edge continues toward domestic cyclicals and infrastructure-linked names amid policy support expectations.

Conclusion & Disclaimer Overall sentiment at 8:45 AM pre-open: Neutral with mild cautious bias, range-bound (Nifty 25,350–25,650 zone likely in focus). Actionable takeaway: Watch Nifty’s 25,400 support and 25,600–25,650 resistance; fresh opportunities in FMCG (Colgate, Varun), Cement (Ultratech), and technical setups (Motherson, intraday picks). Prioritise domestic themes for resilience.

This is an updated pre-open snapshot aggregated at ~8:45 AM IST on February 27, 2026. Markets open at 9:15 AM — levels and flows can shift quickly. This is not investment advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor and do your own due diligence. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.


Bajaj Broking FMCG Picks (Colgate-Palmolive & Varun Beverages)

Vaishali Parekh Intraday Picks (Greaves Cotton, Astra Microwave, Avalon Technologies)

Samvardhana Motherson International (MOTHERSON) Technical Buy

Index Outlook & Trading Plan (Nifty / Bank Nifty levels, supports/resistances)

Motilal Oswal Thematic View (domestic-facing sectors) + Ultratech Cement mention

Additional Supporting Sources for Broader Cues & Outlook



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