Stock Markets February 18, 2026

Istanbul Stocks Close Higher; BIST 100 Gains 0.23% as Leasing, Tech and Banking Advance

Destek Finans Faktoring and Astor Enerji reach record prices while select logistics and industrial names lead declines

By Priya Menon
Istanbul Stocks Close Higher; BIST 100 Gains 0.23% as Leasing, Tech and Banking Advance

The BIST 100 index finished the session up 0.23% as sector gains in Leasing & Factoring, Technology and Banking supported a modest rise in Turkish stocks. Two small-cap names hit new highs, while several logistics and industrial firms recorded double-digit percentage declines. Commodity prices and key FX pairs moved notably alongside the equity session.

Key Points

  • BIST 100 closed up 0.23% as Leasing & Factoring, Technology and Banking sectors led gains.
  • Destek Finans Faktoring As (IS:DSTKF) and Astor Enerji AS (IS:ASTOR) rose to all-time highs during the session.
  • Market breadth was negative with 461 decliners, 138 advancers and 11 unchanged; commodities and FX saw notable moves (gold, crude oil, USD/TRY, EUR/TRY).

Turkey's main equity gauge edged higher at the close on Wednesday, with the BIST 100 rising 0.23% in Istanbul trading. Sector movement was led by strength in Leasing & Factoring, Technology and Banking, which collectively helped lift the headline index.


Top and bottom movers

The session's strongest performer was Destek Finans Faktoring As (IS:DSTKF), which climbed 6.85% or 74.00 points to finish at 1,154.00. The stock reached an all-time high during the session. Astor Enerji AS (IS:ASTOR) was the next best performer, adding 6.26% or 11.00 points to close at 186.80; it also moved to an all-time high. Aselsan Elektronik Sanayi ve Ticaret AS (IS:ASELS) gained 5.53% or 16.25 points to end the day at 310.25.

On the downside, Pasifik Eurasia Lojistik Dis Ticaret AS (IS:PASEU) posted the largest drop, sliding 9.94% or 14.40 points to close at 130.40. Girisim Elektrik Taahhut Ticaret & Sanayi AS (IS:GESAN) also fell 9.94% or 5.95 points to finish at 53.90, while Kontrolmatik Teknoloji Enerji ve Mu (IS:KONTR) declined 7.49% or 0.83 points to 10.25.


Market breadth and internals

Decliners outpaced advancers on the Istanbul Stock Exchange, with 461 shares falling versus 138 advancing; 11 stocks ended unchanged. The breadth suggests that, despite the headline gain in the BIST 100, selling pressure was broader across the market.


Commodities and FX

Precious metals and energy contracts moved higher alongside equities. Gold futures for April delivery rose 2.44% or 119.81 to trade at 5,025.71 per troy ounce. In energy markets, April crude oil increased 3.02% or 1.88 to $64.14 a barrel, while the April Brent contract gained 2.88% or 1.94 to settle at $69.36 a barrel.

On the currency front, USD/TRY was up 0.15% at 43.76, while EUR/TRY fell 0.20% to 51.76. The US Dollar Index Futures recorded a gain of 0.30% to 97.35.


Closing observation

The session closed with the headline index modestly higher amid mixed internals: a handful of names reached record levels even as a larger number of stocks declined. Commodity and FX moves were notable and concurrent with the equity session.

Risks

  • Negative breadth on the exchange - more stocks fell than rose, which could indicate uneven market participation and greater downside risk for broader equity segments (impacts Banking, Technology, Leasing & Factoring indirectly).
  • Large individual stock declines - several names posted double-digit percentage drops, highlighting idiosyncratic volatility in logistics and industrials sectors (impacts Logistics and Industrial companies).
  • Movements in commodities and FX - sharp moves in gold, oil and the lira pairs could affect profit margins and currency-exposed balance sheets for companies across sectors (impacts Energy, Exporters and Importers).

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