Key Events This Week
16 Feb: Stock opens strong at Rs.2,029.40 (+1.24%) with solid volume
17 Feb: High-value trading amid mixed technical signals and Mojo Grade downgrade
19 Feb: Significant open interest surge in derivatives despite price decline
20 Feb: Sharp open interest increase and high-value turnover with modest price fall
16 February: Strong Start with Positive Momentum
Bharti Airtel began the week on a positive note, closing at Rs.2,029.40, up 1.24% from the previous Friday’s close of Rs.2,004.60. The stock outperformed the Sensex, which rose 0.70% to 36,787.89. Trading volume was healthy at 111,627 shares, reflecting investor interest. This initial strength was supported by the stock’s position above key moving averages, signalling short-term bullish momentum.
17 February: High-Value Trading Amid Mixed Technical Signals and Mojo Grade Downgrade
On 17 February, Bharti Airtel witnessed significant trading activity with a total traded value exceeding ₹567 crore and volume of 27,97,975 shares. Despite this, the stock closed lower at Rs.2,019.75, down 0.48%, reflecting investor caution amid mixed technical indicators. The stock traded above its 5-day, 20-day, and 200-day moving averages but remained below the 50-day and 100-day averages, indicating medium-term resistance.
The downgrade of the Mojo Grade from Buy to Hold on 29 December 2025 continued to weigh on sentiment, signalling a reassessment of the stock’s risk-reward profile. Delivery volumes declined sharply by 53.26%, suggesting reduced conviction among long-term investors. The telecom sector declined 0.49% on the day, while the Sensex gained 0.32%, positioning Bharti Airtel’s performance as cautious but relatively resilient.
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18 February: Modest Gains Amid Rising Derivatives Activity
The stock edged up slightly by 0.08% to Rs.2,021.45, with volume at 110,559 shares. The Sensex gained 0.43%, closing at 37,062.35. Notably, Bharti Airtel’s derivatives segment saw a 15.1% increase in open interest, rising from 1,59,066 to 1,83,088 contracts, alongside a futures volume of 1,13,340 contracts. This surge in open interest indicated heightened market activity and evolving positioning among traders despite the stock’s subdued price movement.
Technically, the stock remained above its 20-day and 200-day moving averages but below the 5-day, 50-day, and 100-day averages, signalling short-term consolidation. Delivery volumes dropped 63.3% compared to the five-day average, reflecting cautious investor participation. The telecom sector declined 1.13%, and the Sensex fell 1.12% on 19 February, aligning with Bharti Airtel’s 1.29% price decline that day.
19 February: Significant Open Interest Surge Amid Price Decline
Bharti Airtel’s stock price declined sharply by 1.54% to Rs.1,990.30, underperforming the Sensex which fell 1.45% to 36,523.88. The telecom sector also declined 1.13%. Despite the price drop, the derivatives market activity intensified with open interest surging 15.1% to 1,83,088 contracts and futures volume remaining robust. This divergence suggested active repositioning by traders, possibly anticipating volatility or hedging existing positions.
Investor participation in the cash segment weakened further, with delivery volumes falling 35.88% to 17.97 lakh shares. The stock’s technical setup showed support above the 200-day moving average but weakness below shorter-term averages, indicating a potential consolidation phase. Liquidity remained strong, supporting sizeable trades up to ₹19.19 crores.
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20 February: High-Value Trading and Sharp Open Interest Rise Amid Modest Price Fall
On the final trading day of the week, Bharti Airtel recorded one of the highest value turnovers with ₹562.9 crores traded on a volume of 28,33,419 shares. The stock closed at Rs.1,977.70, down 0.63%, continuing a two-day losing streak with a cumulative decline of 2.17%. The Sensex gained 0.41%, closing at 36,674.32, while the telecom sector declined 0.52%, placing Bharti Airtel’s performance broadly in line with sector trends.
Derivatives activity intensified further, with open interest surging 17.93% to 1,84,077 contracts and futures volume at 1,07,979 contracts. The combined futures and options value stood at approximately ₹41,848 crores, underscoring the stock’s prominence in the derivatives market. Delivery volumes remained subdued, signalling reduced investor participation in the cash segment.
Technically, the stock remained above its 200-day moving average but below all shorter-term averages, reflecting short- to medium-term weakness. The Mojo Score stayed at 68.0 with a Hold rating, reflecting a cautious outlook amid mixed signals and sector headwinds. Liquidity supported trade sizes up to ₹16.43 crores, facilitating active institutional and retail trading.
Weekly Price Performance: Bharti Airtel Ltd vs Sensex
| Date | Stock Price | Day Change | Sensex | Day Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-16 | Rs.2,029.40 | +1.24% | 36,787.89 | +0.70% |
| 2026-02-17 | Rs.2,019.75 | -0.48% | 36,904.38 | +0.32% |
| 2026-02-18 | Rs.2,021.45 | +0.08% | 37,062.35 | +0.43% |
| 2026-02-19 | Rs.1,990.30 | -1.54% | 36,523.88 | -1.45% |
| 2026-02-20 | Rs.1,977.70 | -0.63% | 36,674.32 | +0.41% |
Key Takeaways
Bharti Airtel’s week was characterised by a complex interplay of strong trading volumes, elevated derivatives activity, and mixed technical signals. The stock’s decline of 1.34% contrasted with the Sensex’s 0.39% gain, indicating underperformance amid sectoral headwinds.
Robust open interest surges on 18 and 20 February highlight active repositioning by traders, possibly anticipating volatility or hedging strategies. However, declining delivery volumes suggest waning long-term investor participation, pointing to a shift towards short-term trading or cautious stance.
The downgrade to a Hold rating and Mojo Score of 68.0 reflects tempered analyst sentiment, balancing Bharti Airtel’s strong fundamentals and large-cap status against near-term technical weakness and regulatory challenges in the telecom sector.
Liquidity remains a strong point, supporting sizeable trades and institutional interest. Investors should monitor the stock’s ability to reclaim shorter-term moving averages and watch open interest trends for clearer directional cues.
Conclusion
Bharti Airtel Ltd remains a pivotal stock within the Indian telecom sector, attracting significant market attention through high-value trading and active derivatives participation. The week’s price decline amid a rising Sensex and sectoral softness underscores the cautious sentiment prevailing among investors and traders.
Mixed technical indicators and falling delivery volumes suggest a consolidation phase, with the stock maintaining long-term support above the 200-day moving average but facing short- to medium-term resistance. The Hold rating and Mojo Score of 68.0 reflect this nuanced outlook.
Market participants should remain vigilant to evolving price action, open interest, and sector developments before making fresh commitments. The stock’s liquidity and market capitalisation continue to make it a key focus for both institutional and retail investors navigating the current market environment.
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