Date: Monday, 23 February 2026 | By Markshala Research Desk
The Indian stock market witnessed a technically disciplined session on Monday, 23 February 2026. Price action in Nifty Futures respected major technical zones, offering structured trading opportunities for disciplined traders. Despite mixed global cues, domestic markets managed to close in positive territory, supported mainly by selective buying in frontline stocks.
This detailed market note covers today’s Nifty Futures trading performance, market sentiment, stock-specific action, and a technical outlook for the next trading session, Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
Table of Contents
Nifty Futures Intraday Trade Review – 23 February 2026
Nifty Futures opened near the 25,700 level, which was well inside our pre-defined vacuum trading zone between 25,737 and 25,415. As per the trading plan, no immediate trade was taken at market open. Instead, patience was exercised to observe which side of the trading range would be tested first.
During the early phase of the session, price approached the upper boundary of the range at 25,737. Following the trading framework, a short position was initiated near this resistance zone. However, within a short span of time, the market started trading convincingly above this level, suggesting strength and a possible trend reversal. In accordance with the strategy, an additional long position was initiated near the same level.
Due to sudden intraday volatility, the long trade encountered a controlled stop loss of 50 points. Shortly after this, Nifty Futures reversed again and moved lower within the trading range, eventually declining by nearly 143 points. This move offered a clear opportunity to capture over 100 points on the downside through disciplined range trading. Despite sharp intraday fluctuations, the overall trade book for the day ended with a net positive outcome of more than 50 points. This session highlighted the importance of disciplined execution, emotional control, and unwavering trust in a rule-based trading system. Even during volatile phases, structured trading approaches help in preserving capital and generating consistent results over time.
Stock of the Day Performance – Axis Bank
Axis Bank was identified as the Stock of the Day for Monday, 23 February 2026, based on its strong technical structure and positive price action.
The stock opened around the 1,381 level with a mild gap-up and provided a favorable entry opportunity. Throughout the session, buying interest remained intact, and the stock managed to close near 1,386, registering a gain of approximately 1.34 percent.
One notable technical feature was that Axis Bank maintained its opening price as the day’s low, which is considered a strong bullish intraday signal. The stock structure remains positive on short-term charts, suggesting a higher probability of further upward movement in the near term. The trade remains active, supported by improving momentum and healthy volume patterns.
Overall Market Performance and Sentiment
From a broader perspective, Nifty Spot displayed positive sentiment on the daily timeframe. The index closed above all its key demand zones, indicating sustained buying interest at lower levels. Nifty Spot ended the session at 25,713, registering a gain of 0.55 percent.
However, the broader market exhibited a relatively neutral tone. Market breadth remained balanced, with around 1,361 stocks advancing and 1,581 stocks declining. The underperformance in the broader indices was mainly driven by weakness in select midcap and small-cap stocks.
Some midcap names, including IDFC First Bank, AU Small Finance Bank, and UPL, witnessed selling pressure due to stock-specific news developments. This weighed on overall market sentiment, even as frontline indices remained resilient. As a result, while Nifty maintained strength, participation across the broader market remained limited.
Nifty Futures Trading Framework for Tuesday, 24 February 2026
The trading strategy for Nifty Futures is built on a disciplined, probability-based approach aimed at maintaining consistency, protecting capital, and minimizing emotional decision-making. The framework emphasizes clarity, patience, and strict risk management.
The core principle is to restrict trading activity to a maximum of two trades per session. Ideally, this should include one range-based trade and one momentum-based trade. If the first trade itself achieves the predefined target, no further trades should be initiated for the day. This approach helps traders avoid overtrading and preserves psychological discipline.
When Nifty Futures opens within the defined vacuum range, traders should observe price behavior patiently and wait for the market to test one of the boundaries of the range. A trade should only be initiated once price action confirms its intention near these levels. This ensures that entries are aligned with actual market movement rather than anticipation.
If the market moves favorably after a range-based trade and achieves the target, traders should close the position and refrain from further participation. However, if the market reverses sharply and begins to trend decisively in the opposite direction, it may indicate a momentum breakout. In such situations, the strategy shifts from range trading to momentum trading, allowing participation in directional price movement while maintaining strict risk control.
In the event of a strong gap-up or gap-down opening that places the market outside the defined range, the range trading approach stands invalidated for the session. In such scenarios, only momentum-based trades should be considered, with close attention to volatility and risk-reward parameters.
Risk management remains central to the strategy. For every trade, the stop loss should be strictly limited to 50 points, while the minimum profit target should be 100 points. This ensures a favorable risk-to-reward ratio and supports long-term consistency.
Nifty Futures Trade Levels for Tuesday, 24 February 2026
For the upcoming session, the identified vacuum trading range stands between 25,780 and 25,593.
If Nifty Futures opens and trades within this zone, range trading opportunities may be considered. Short positions may be evaluated near the upper boundary at 25,780, while long positions may be explored near the lower boundary at 25,593. In both cases, a stop loss of 50 points and a target of 100 points should be maintained.
If Nifty Futures trades decisively above 25,780, it may indicate bullish momentum. In such a scenario, a long momentum trade may be considered, with an initial target of 100 points. Immediate resistance is expected near 25,855, followed by a higher resistance zone around 26,052.
On the downside, if Nifty Futures breaks and sustains below 25,593, bearish momentum could emerge. In this case, short positions may be considered, with immediate support expected near 25,415 and a deeper support zone near 24,310.
Stock of the Day for Tuesday, 24 February 2026
No stock from the Nifty 500 universe met the strict technical and risk parameters required for the Stock of the Day segment. In order to maintain trade quality and discipline, this segment is being avoided for the upcoming session.
Key Global and Geopolitical Developments in the Last 24 Hours
Global events continue to influence investor sentiment and market volatility. Over the past 24 hours, several important developments have shaped global financial markets.
The United States announced a fresh round of import tariffs, raising the blanket rate to 15 percent. This move triggered risk-off sentiment globally, pushing investors toward safe-haven assets such as gold and the US dollar. Cryptocurrency markets and global equities faced selling pressure amid renewed trade war concerns.
In Europe, the European Union failed to clear its latest sanctions package against Russia after Hungary blocked the proposal. This political deadlock has heightened tensions within the bloc and raised concerns about Europe’s energy security outlook.
Adding to commodity market volatility, Goldman Sachs revised its crude oil price forecast upward, citing falling inventory levels across OECD nations. This development led to increased fluctuations in oil prices.
European equity markets also came under pressure due to uncertainty surrounding global trade policies. Major indices, including Germany’s DAX, ended lower as investor risk appetite weakened.
Meanwhile, global investors continued to rotate capital into defensive assets, pushing gold prices to a three-week high while strengthening the US dollar. This shift highlights cautious sentiment across global markets.
Market Outlook for Tuesday, 24 February 2026
From a technical perspective, Nifty remains in a constructive zone as long as it holds above key support levels. While domestic fundamentals remain supportive, heightened global uncertainty may result in increased volatility. Traders are advised to maintain discipline, adhere strictly to risk management guidelines, and avoid aggressive positioning. Patience and execution clarity remain crucial in navigating such market conditions.
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Disclaimer
The views and analysis provided above are for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or investment advice. Trading and investing in the stock market involve risk, and past performance does not guarantee future results.
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