Buy or sell stocks, Feb. 18 -- The Indian stock market is likely to begin the session on a steady to slightly positive footing, extending momentum after two consecutive days of gains supported by continued strength in banking, financials, energy, pharma, and select IT stocks amid improving sentiment. However, near-term caution persists due to selective profit-taking in richly valued segments and mixed global signals. As a result, the market may remain range-bound in the absence of fresh triggers, with clearer direction expected only from sustained earnings momentum or improved global stability.

Vaishali Parekh, Vice President - Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, believes the Indian stock market bias has improved as the Nifty 50 i...