Dalal Street opens Monday with a powerful volatility trigger. A sudden 15% US global tariff hike, fresh banking sector legal risks, telecom-led AI investments, and corporate restructuring moves are combining to create high-probability trading opportunities across banking, export, energy, ports, and telecom stocks.
With global trade flows, credit risk, and sector leadership all in motion, today’s session is primed for stock-specific breakouts, intraday volatility, and tactical swing trades.
Primary Market Triggers—Stocks in Focus Today
Export-Focused Stocks—Global Tariff Shock Trigger
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US President Donald Trump announced a sharp increase in global tariffs from 10% to 15%.
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This directly raises cost pressure on Indian exporters, impacting:
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Engineering exports
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Auto components
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Textiles
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Specialty chemicals
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Market Signal: Expect immediate selling pressure, gap-down risk, and intraday volatility in export-heavy counters.
ICICI Bank—Tax Order Risk Event
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Maharashtra GST authorities upheld a ₹50.38 crore tax demand + an equal penalty + interest.
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Legal uncertainty could weigh on near-term sentiment.
Trading Impact: Negative bias, intraday pressure possible. Watch support zones carefully.
Bharti Airtel—AI + Cybersecurity Strategic Expansion
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Airtel partnered with Zscaler to launch the India-focused AI & Cyber Threat Research Centre.
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Strategic positioning in enterprise digital security and cloud services.
Market Signal: Structural positive; strengthens long-term digital enterprise story.
UPL—Corporate Restructuring Trigger
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Announced a scheme of arrangement splitting operations into two separately listed companies.
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Unlocks valuation re-rating and sharper business focus.
Trading Signal: Medium-term rerating trigger; watch for volatility and breakout patterns.
Adani Ports—Strategic Infra + Iron Ore Logistics Play
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Signed a pact with NMDC + Vale SA to develop integrated iron ore blending and an SEZ facility at Gangavaram Port.
Market Signal: Strong positive—boosts long-term cargo visibility and strategic infra positioning.
IDFC First Bank—Fraud Disclosure Shock
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Disclosed ₹590 crore fraud exposure at the Chandigarh branch.
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4 officials suspended, forensic audit and police probe ongoing.
Market Signal: Negative sentiment, downside risk, and volatility spike expected.
NTPC Green—Renewable Capacity Expansion
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Commissioned a 158 MW solar project in Kadappa.
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Total renewable capacity is now 9,151 MW.
Market Signal: Structural positive; reinforces India’s energy transition leadership theme.
Allcargo Terminals—Volume Growth Signal
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Reported 8% YoY cargo volume growth for Jan 2026.
Market Signal: Logistics demand resilience; short-term sentiment positive.
Why This Matters Today
This session carries strong “news-to-price transmission” potential.
Three macro forces collide today:
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Global Tariff Shock → Export Stocks Volatility
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Banking Risk Events → PSU & Private Bank Sentiment Reset
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Infra + Renewable + AI Capex → Sector Rotation Trigger
This creates high-probability trading setups across:
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Export-heavy midcaps
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Banking & financial stocks
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Infrastructure & renewable leaders
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Telecom & digital service plays
For traders, this is a classic “news-driven volatility session” ideal for intraday scalping, momentum trades, and breakout strategies.
Trading Strategy Snapshot
| Segment | Strategy |
|---|---|
| Export stocks | Sell-on-rallies, intraday shorts |
| Banks | Stock-specific trades; avoid blind sector longs |
| Telecom (Airtel) | Positional accumulation on dips |
| Infra/Ports | Buy-on-dips bias |
| Renewable energy | Medium-term accumulation |
Summary
23 February 2026 is shaping up as a high-volatility trading session for Indian markets as Trump’s global tariff shock, ICICI Bank’s tax risk, and Bharti Airtel’s AI push drive sharp sector rotation, heavy intraday swings, and stock-specific trading opportunities across banking, exports, telecom, and infrastructure stocks. Active traders should brace for fast moves, momentum breakouts, and high-impact news-driven trades throughout the session.
FAQ
Q1: Will the US tariff hike impact Indian stock markets?
Yes. Export-oriented stocks face margin pressure and demand uncertainty, leading to near-term volatility and downside risk.
Q2: Which stocks may see immediate impact today?
Export-heavy companies: ICICI Bank, IDFC First Bank, Adani Ports, NTPC Green, and Bharti Airtel.
Q3: Is the tariff hike structurally negative for India?
Short-term yes for exporters, but medium-term supply chain diversification may benefit domestic manufacturing.
Q4: Which sector looks safest today?
Renewable energy, infrastructure logistics, and telecom digital services.
