Indian equity benchmarks continued their weak trade in morning session, with the Sensex and Nifty falling over 1100 points and 350 points, respectively, tracking a sharp spike in crude oil prices amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Traders remained cautious as exchange data showed foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 7,536.36 crore on Friday. Traders took a note of a survey showed India's factory activity expanded at its fastest pace in four months in February as strong domestic demand drove new orders and production, although export growth cooled to its slowest rate in nearly a year-and-a-half. HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to 56.9 in February from January's 55.4, but undershot a preliminary estimate of 57.5. Sector-wise, power stocks remained in watch as the government in its latest data has said that power consumption in the country increased slightly by 1.86 percent to 132.99 billion units (BU) in February 2026 from 130.56 BU a year ago. On the global front, Asian markets were trading mostly in red after U.S. President Donald Trump signaled the U.S.-Israeli military assault on Iranian targets could continue for weeks. 

The BSE Sensex is currently trading at 80151.10, down by 1136.09 points or 1.40% after trading in a range of 78543.73 and 80632.55. There were 3 stocks advancing against 27 stocks declining on the index.

The lone gaining sectoral index on the BSE was Telecom up by 0.14%, while Auto down by 2.05%, Consumer Disc down by 1.92%, Consumer Durables down by 1.89%, Industrials down by 1.83% and Oil & Gas down by 1.77% were the top losing indices on BSE.

The top gainers on the Sensex were Bharat Electronics up by 1.77%, Bharti Airtel up by 0.24% and Tech Mahindra up by 0.04%. On the flip side, Larsen & Toubro down by 5.43%, Interglobe Aviation down by 4.03%, Maruti Suzuki down by 2.98%, Adani Ports &SEZ down by 2.61% and Asian Paints down by 2.59% were the top losers.

Meanwhile, the government in its latest data has said that power consumption in the country increased slightly by 1.86 percent to 132.99 billion units (BU) in February 2026 from 130.56 BU a year ago, as demand for heating appliances such as geysers and blowers declined due to higher-than usual temperature. According to data, the peak power demand met or the highest supply during February, also rose slightly to 243.15 Gigawatt (GW) from 238.06 GW recorded in February 2025. 

The peak power demand touched an all-time high of about 250 GW in May 2024, surpassing the earlier all-time high of 243.27 GW registered in September 2023. However, during last summer (April 2025 onwards), the peak power demand was 242.77 GW in June, 2025. As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall all over India in February was the lowest since 2001. 

Moreover, there were no cold wave conditions or cold days in February. The absence of any active western disturbances and lack of their interactions/confluences with easterly winds are the major reasons for subdued snow/rainfall in the month. According to IMD, in February 2026, India experienced the 10th highest maximum temperature, third highest minimum temperature, and fifth highest mean temperature since 1901.

The CNX Nifty is currently trading at 24813.70, down by 364.95 points or 1.45% after trading in a range of 24645.10 and 24989.35. There were 4 stocks advancing against 46 stocks declining on the index.

The top gainers on Nifty were Bharat Electronics up by 1.70%, ONGC up by 0.43%, Hindalco up by 0.22% and Bharti Airtel up by 0.21%. On the flip side, Larsen & Toubro down by 5.42%, Interglobe Aviation down by 4.21%, Maruti Suzuki down by 2.88%, Adani Ports &SEZ down by 2.68% and Asian Paints down by 2.66% were the top losers.

Asian markets were trading mostly in red; Nikkei 225 slipped 925.27 points or 1.57% to 57,925.00, Taiwan Weighted lost 196.25 points or 0.55% to 35,218.24, Jakarta Composite plunged 131.77 points or 1.6% to 8,103.72, Hang Seng declined 420.54 points or 1.58% to 26,210.00 and Straits Times fell 92.33 points or 1.85% to 4,902.74.

On the flip side, Shanghai Composite strengthened 24.49 points or 0.59% to 4,187.37.