These 5 Large-Caps Just Hit 52-Week Highs in Falling Stock Market!

On February 12, 2026, the stock market fell with the Sensex falling over 550 points and the Nifty decreasing nearly 1.3%. Most of the investors waited as their portfolios turned red and IT stocks AI disruptions fell with new fears. Stronger than expected US job data followed no expectations to lock in the Federal Reserve to cut rates. Most of the large-cap stocks did not disappoint and performed exceptionally, hitting 52-week highs.  

While the wider sectors of the market had disruptions in profit booking and global tensions, blue-chip stocks did the opposite. Profit booking and global tensions did the opposite to blue-chip stocks. Losses in the wider sectors of the market had disrupted profits to blue-chip stocks. On this volatile day, five large-cap stocks and their strength was showcased as the new way to perform in a tough market.

 

 

Top Five Large-Cap Stocks and Their Strength

 

1. State Bank of India (SBI) - Banking Giant Against the Odds  

52-week high: 1,203.50.  

Closing price:1,192.50 (+0.80%).  

SBI, the largest public sector bank in India, continued its stellar performance even though the Nifty Bank index decreased by nearly 1%. The stock price has increased over 10% in February 2026 alone due to great Q3 results (the highest-ever profit for the bank) and the Union Budget focusing on increased capital expenditure.  

Stock Momentum is driven by strong deposit growth, better-quality assets, and steady retail and MSME credit demand. SBI is rising in a decreasing stock market in which interest rate-sensitive sectors typically take a hit. This is evidence of the fact that well-capitalised, systemically critical banks have the ability to prosper in market failure.

2. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) – Energy Security Plays Strong

52-Week High: ₹280.35  

Closing Price: ₹276.25 (+0.60%)

ONGC stock has arrived as a defensive play. The stock gave a peak performance despite the constant sell-off of the broader market and the fluctuation of the global oil prices. The target of the upward crude production domestically, stable realizations, and the Government of India’s policy for self-reliance on energy have helped sustain the growth.  

During the periods of uncertainty of a falling stock market, large-cap stocks like ONGC usually demonstrate market resilience because of their policy tailwinds and cash flows. This stock has momentum because of the fundamentals and not any outside hype.  

3. Larsen & Toubro (L&T) – Infra Powerhouse Keeps Building

52-week high: ₹4,198.75  

Closing Price: ₹4,181.55 (+0.28%)

L&T has the best order book on Corporate India owing to the tremendous Government Financing for Infrastructure on backs, railways, metros and defence collaborations. The rest of the mid and small caps suffered a downfall of 1.7%, L&T sustained and paid 52 week high inflows.  

When the falling stock market devours speculative stocks, quality large-cap stocks with clear visibility of future revenues take on a different dimension. This stock momentum is growth defensive in/through the sector.

 

 

4. NTPC - Consistency in Anchor Power Sector

52-week high: ₹372

Closing price: ₹368.10 (-0.09%)

After NTPC reached an intraday high price of ₹372 before closing slightly lower. This price is still a new 52-week high for NTPC. Being India’s largest power utility company, NTPC is benefiting from the steady addition of thermal and renewable capacity, improving plant load factors, and the addition of the government supply focus.

Considering the AI fears in the timeline, the delayed rate-cut, and NTPC utility stocks, their resilience is encouraging. Their stock momentum is consistent.

5. Shriram Finance - NBFC Leader Exhibits Retail Strength

52-week high: ₹1,087

Closing price: ₹1,083.25 (+2.52%)

One of the largest gainers for the day, Shriram Finance (previously Shriram Transport) hit a new peak with strong momentum in rural and semi-urban lending. Growth of the company, even in a slowed urban consumption and diversified MSME lending, vehicle finance, and a diversified liability profile, can be attributed to steady growth.

It’s capacity to achieve 52-week highs in a declining stock market illustrates how dominant rural market holdings and sensible risk management enabled large-cap stocks to isolate from the prevailing market sentiment.

Why Some Stocks are More Resilient

The sell-off on February 12 was due to:

- Selling in IT due to fresh AI disruption fears (Nifty IT dropped ~5%).

- Strong US job data decreased the chances of imminent Fed rate cuts.

- Profit-booking after some winning streaks.

Despite this, 140 stocks on the BSE still reached 52-week highs. This shows us an important principle, momentum is not uniform. Large-cap stocks with a defensive, policy-backed, or fundamental structure tend to hold when the market declines.

The following five stocks represent the banking, energy, engineering, power, and NBFC sectors, all of which have clear and visible government support as well as a steady cash flow or domestic demand. Their results show that market resilience is still present in certain areas of the market.

What This Means for Investors in a Falling Stock Market

1. Concentrate on good high-market-cap stocks– In a falling stock market, large-cap stocks allow less risk with upsides to high cash flow and strong credit.  

2. Momentum buying for 52-week highs– Not all 52-week highs should be bought, but they indicate improved institutional buying.  

3. Invest in more than one resilient sector– Diversify and don't over-invest in one high-growth sector.  

4. Buy during stock market corrections– When panic selling occurs, strong stocks and stock momentum + good fundamentals become cheap.

 

 

Closing Thoughts

The closing stock market is a good test of control. Most stock markets closed on February 12, 2026. The exception to this was these five large caps with stock momentum.  

The selling stock market proves that if you want safety, buy good quality, defensively placed stocks with more than one growth centre and good cash flow. Also, keep buying stocks that are closing in 52-week highs.

DISCLAIMER: This blog is NOT any buy or sell recommendation. No investment or trading advice is given. The content is purely for educational and information purposes only. Always consult your eligible financial advisor for investment-related decisions.