Price Extremes and Market Breadth

The week spanning 2 to 6 February 2026 saw a total of 93 stocks reaching their 52-week highs, complemented by 4 stocks achieving all-time highs, signalling pockets of robust bullish momentum. Conversely, 410 stocks touched 52-week lows, with 6 descending to all-time lows, reflecting persistent selling pressure. Day highs and lows were also significant, with 353 and 89 occurrences respectively, underscoring intraday volatility.

Notably, the ratio of low triggers (505) to high triggers (450) indicates a market leaning towards caution, with selling pressure marginally outweighing buying interest. This dynamic was particularly evident among large-cap stocks, which dominated the featured list with 12 names, followed by 6 mid-caps and 2 small-caps. Large-cap strength was apparent, with half of the large-cap featured stocks hitting highs, while the remainder faced downward pressure.

Sector-wise, Garments & Apparels led the charge with 30 stocks hitting 52-week highs, closely followed by Auto Components & Equipments with 29, and Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology with 22. On the downside, Non Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and Computers - Software & Consulting sectors each saw 39 stocks hitting lows, while Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology also featured prominently with 28 stocks declining.

Stocks Demonstrating Price Strength

Among the large-cap stocks exhibiting price strength, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd stood out by reaching their 52-week highs, reflecting sustained momentum in the oil sector. Tata Steel Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd, and Hindalco Industries Ltd also recorded day highs, signalling short-term upward momentum within their respective metals and defence sectors.

In the NBFC space, Shriram Finance Ltd achieved a 52-week high, underscoring selective resilience despite sector-wide pressures. Mid-cap stocks such as APL Apollo Tubes Ltd and GE Vernova T&D India Ltd made notable advances, with APL Apollo Tubes Ltd breaking into an all-time high, a rare and significant bullish signal for the Iron & Steel Products sector. Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd also recorded a day high, reflecting positive sentiment in capital markets.

Small-cap representation was led by JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, which reached an all-time high, highlighting emerging strength in the Tyres & Rubber Products sector.

Stocks Exhibiting Price Weakness

On the downside, several large-cap technology stocks faced downward pressure. Infosys Ltd, HCL Technologies Ltd, and LTI Mindtree Ltd all hit day lows, reflecting sector-specific challenges amid broader market caution. The Computers - Software & Consulting sector was notably weak, with 39 stocks hitting lows, including mid-cap names Persistent Systems Ltd and Coforge Ltd.

Within metals, Hindalco Industries Ltd and Vedanta Ltd experienced day lows, indicating volatility in the non-ferrous metals segment. Shriram Finance Ltd also recorded a day low, illustrating the mixed performance within NBFCs. Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd, despite a day high earlier in the week, ended with a day low, signalling intraday fluctuations in capital markets. Small-cap Interarch Building Solutions Ltd faced downward pressure, reflecting challenges in the construction sector.

Sectoral Dynamics and Underlying Drivers

The prominence of Garments & Apparels and Auto Components sectors among 52-week highs suggests robust demand and operational resilience. The garments sector’s strength may be attributed to sustained export orders and easing supply chain constraints, while auto components benefitted from improving domestic vehicle production and export prospects. Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology’s dual presence in highs and lows indicates stock-specific factors driving divergence, possibly linked to regulatory developments and product pipelines.

Conversely, the NBFC sector’s prevalence among 52-week lows reflects ongoing concerns about credit quality and liquidity, exacerbated by macroeconomic uncertainties. The Computers - Software & Consulting sector’s weakness aligns with global technology spending caution and sector rotation away from IT stocks. The mixed performance within metals and capital markets sectors highlights the influence of commodity price volatility and investor sentiment shifts.

Large-cap dominance in price extremes underscores institutional activity and market leadership by established companies. The presence of four all-time highs, including APL Apollo Tubes Ltd and JK Tyre & Industries Ltd, signals selective breakout opportunities, often driven by strong fundamentals or sector tailwinds. Meanwhile, six all-time lows highlight stocks under severe pressure, warranting cautious monitoring.

Forward-Looking Considerations and Catalysts

Looking ahead, the sectors leading 52-week highs warrant close attention for sustainability of momentum. Garments & Apparels and Auto Components may benefit from upcoming quarterly earnings releases and export data, which could reinforce positive sentiment if results align with expectations. The oil sector’s large-cap leaders, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, face catalysts in the form of global crude price movements and domestic policy updates.

Mid-cap breakouts such as APL Apollo Tubes Ltd and GE Vernova T&D India Ltd should be monitored for confirmation of trend continuation, with technical levels around recent all-time highs serving as key support zones. Small-cap stocks like JK Tyre & Industries Ltd present potential opportunities but require careful risk assessment given higher volatility.

On the downside, technology and NBFC sectors remain vulnerable to macroeconomic headwinds and sector-specific challenges. Investors should watch for earnings announcements, regulatory developments, and global technology spending trends that could influence near-term price action. Technical patterns such as sustained breaches of support levels in these sectors may signal further downside risk.

Overall, the market’s mixed signals this weekly highlight the importance of selective stock and sector analysis. The balance between 52-week highs and lows, combined with sectoral divergences, suggests a market in transition, where discerning investors can identify pockets of strength amid broader caution.

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