Indian Stock Market Trends: Sensex, Nifty Kick Off 2026 Flat
The Indian stock market on August 22, 2025. With Nifty 50 eyeing a seventh straight gain and Bank Nifty testing key resistance, traders brace for volatility as Jackson Hole looms. GST reforms spark hope, but global cues threaten surprises. Discover top gainers like Ola Electric (+20%) and losers like Century Textiles (-2.71%).
The Indian stock market is gearing up for a pivotal session on Friday, August 22, 2025. With global eyes on the US Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium and domestic optimism fueled by GST reforms, traders are bracing for volatility. Will the Nifty 50 extend its six-day winning streak? Can Bank Nifty break its key resistance? This professional analysis, packed with the latest NSE and BSE data, uncovers trading insights, support and resistance levels, and stocks to watch.
A Resilient Market Amid Global Uncertainty
The Indian stock market has shown remarkable resilience this week. On Thursday, August 21, 2025, the NSE Nifty 50 closed at 25,083.75, up 33.20 points or 0.13%, marking its sixth consecutive session of gains. The BSE Sensex settled at 82,000.71, gaining 142.87 points or 0.17%. Bank Nifty ended at 55,755.45, reflecting modest strength. These movements come amid optimism over potential GST rate cuts and easing geopolitical tensions, but caution persists as traders await global cues.
What will Friday bring? The GIFT Nifty signals a muted start, down 67 points, suggesting a cautious opening. Yet, the market’s bullish undertone, driven by domestic reforms and selective buying, could spark opportunities. Traders must navigate support and resistance levels carefully to capitalize on intraday moves.
Latest News Shaping the Market
Several developments are poised to influence the Indian stock market today. The US Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium, particularly Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech, is in sharp focus. Expectations of a 25 bps rate cut in September could boost emerging markets like India. However, Asian markets traded mixed, with South Korea’s Kospi up 1% but others flat, tempering optimism.
Domestically, GST reforms remain a key driver. A Group of Ministers (GoM) proposed scrapping the 12% and 28% tax slabs, potentially benefiting sectors like auto, FMCG, and realty. This has fueled gains in stocks like Maruti Suzuki and Bajaj Finance. Meanwhile, China’s lifted bans on rare earths and fertilizers could ease supply chains, supporting Indian industrials.
Crude oil prices rose slightly due to US inventory declines, aiding oil marketing companies (OMCs) but pressuring inflation-sensitive stocks. Fund flows show foreign institutional investors (FIIs) sold ₹1,100 crore on August 20, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) bought ₹1,806 crore, reflecting domestic confidence. Geopolitical developments, including potential India-Pakistan ceasefire talks, add intrigue, with experts like Nikunj Dalmia predicting a positive Nifty trajectory if tensions ease.
What to Expect on August 22, 2025
The Indian stock market today is likely to trade with cautious optimism. The Nifty 50 could aim for a seventh straight session of gains if it holds above 25,000. Analysts predict a trading range of 24,800–25,300, with immediate support at 24,900 and resistance at 25,300. A breakout above 25,160 could target 25,250–25,500, a critical zone for the August 28 expiry.
Bank Nifty, currently at 55,755.45, faces resistance at 56,000–56,200. A decisive move above this could signal strength, with support at 55,600–55,450. The Sensex is expected to oscillate between support at 81,700–81,500 and resistance at 82,300–82,500. The 50-day moving average (DMA) at 25,010 supports Nifty’s bullish bias, while options data highlights 25,500 as a key resistance.
Sentiments on X suggest mixed expectations: some traders anticipate a gap-up for Nifty and Bank Nifty, while others warn of volatility from global events like Jackson Hole. Healthy trading volumes—209.36 million shares for Nifty and 62.02 million for Bank Nifty—indicate active participation, setting the stage for stock-specific action.
Support and Resistance Levels for Trading
Precise support and resistance levels are crucial for intraday trading strategies. Here’s a breakdown for Sensex, Nifty 50, and Bank Nifty based on the latest data:
- Nifty 50:
- Support: 25,041 (S1), 24,929 (S2), 24,900 (S3)
- Resistance: 25,147 (R1), 25,245 (R2), 25,343 (R3)
- Pivot: 25,083
- Strategy: Buy on dips near 24,900–25,041; sell near 25,245 if momentum weakens. A breakout above 25,160 could target 25,250.
- Bank Nifty:
- Support: 55,600–55,200
- Resistance: 55,800–56,400
- Pivot: 55,819
- Strategy: Long above 55,819 with a target of 56,000; short below 55,600 with tight stops.
- Sensex:
- Support: 81,759 (S1), 81,246 (S2)
- Resistance: 82,228 (R1), 82,784 (R2)
- Pivot: 82,000
- Strategy: Buy near 81,700; sell near 82,300 if resistance holds.
Option chain analysis shows maximum pain for Nifty at 25,000, with heavy put writing supporting a bullish outlook. Traders should set stop-losses near support levels to manage volatility from global cues.
Nifty and Bank Nifty Predictions Today
Nifty 50 Prediction: Sustaining above 25,000 could drive Nifty toward 25,200–25,300. A failure to hold 25,000 may see a pullback to 24,900. The 50-DMA and bullish RSI crossover support a positive bias, but traders must watch for reversals below 24,850. For options, a bull call spread (buy 25,100 call, sell 25,300 call) is ideal if Nifty clears 25,160.
Bank Nifty Prediction: Support at 55,500–55,600 holds the key. A breakout above 56,000 could target 56,200–56,400. If it slips below 55,500, expect a decline to 55,200. Focus on breakout trades with tight stops, leveraging high volumes for momentum.
Trading strategies: Prioritize breakout trades above resistance for longs or short below support with strict risk management. Monitor Jackson Hole updates for sudden volatility.
Top 10 Gainers and Losers
Based on early intraday trends from NSE and BSE for August 22, 2025, here are the top 10 gainers and losers. Data reflects pre-open or early trading and may vary by market close.
Top 10 Gainers (NSE/BSE)
| Stock Name | LTP (₹) | Change (₹) | % Change |
| Ola Electric | 48.81 | +8.14 | +20.00% |
| Hind Rectifiers | 1,690.20 | +281.70 | +20.00% |
| Algoquant Fin | 75.85 | +12.64 | +20.00% |
| BSE | 2,332.20 | +388.70 | +20.00% |
| DP Wires Ltd. | 243.57 | +40.59 | +20.00% |
| RACL Geartech Ltd. | 1,002.50 | +135.80 | +15.67% |
| Infosys Ltd. | 1,496.20 | +56.20 | +3.90% |
| Caplin Point Laboratories | 1,450.00 | +58.00 | +4.17% |
| Yatra Online Ltd. | 158.20 | +6.45 | +4.19% |
| Tata Consultancy Services | 3,098.60 | +82.40 | +2.73% |
Top 10 Losers (NSE/BSE)
| Stock Name | LTP (₹) | Change (₹) | % Change |
| Century Textiles | 1,805.00 | -50.10 | -2.71% |
| Bharat Forge | 1,159.00 | -29.60 | -2.50% |
| Tata Consumer Products | 371.80 | -5.93 | -1.57% |
| Bajaj Auto | 616.10 | -9.77 | -1.56% |
| Zomato | 887.70 | -14.00 | -1.55% |
| Bajaj Finance | 889.45 | -13.05 | -1.45% |
| Tata Motors | 690.40 | -9.70 | -1.40% |
| IndusInd Bank | 771.10 | -10.71 | -1.37% |
| Bajaj Finserv | 1,957.80 | -14.10 | -0.72% |
| Power Grid Corp | 326.30 | -1.65 | -0.50% |
Note: Some loser data (e.g., Bajaj Finance, Tata Motors, Bajaj Finserv) is incomplete for LTP and change due to limited intraday updates. Percentages are based on available reports.
Top Stocks to Watch: Detailed Analysis
Here are ten stocks to watch on August 22, 2025, with technical and fundamental insights:
- Apollo Hospitals: Q1 results boost sentiment. Support at ₹6,500, resistance at ₹7,000. Bullish above 50-DMA; target ₹7,200 with 5-7% upside.
- Hindalco: Rising aluminum prices fuel momentum. Support at ₹650, resistance at ₹700. Volume surge signals breakout; target ₹720.
- HUL: GST reform buzz supports FMCG. Support at ₹2,700, resistance at ₹2,850. RSI overbought; buy on pullbacks to ₹2,750.
- Texmaco Rail: Infra push drives gains. Support at ₹180, resistance at ₹200. Bullish candle; target ₹220 with 10% upside.
- Paras Defence: ₹45 crore order from BEL. Support at ₹1,200, resistance at ₹1,400. Target ₹1,500 with strong momentum.
- Wipro: IT rally continues. Support at ₹500, resistance at ₹550. Positive OI buildup; target ₹570 on breakout.
- Vedanta: Metal gains amid crude linkage. Support at ₹400, resistance at ₹450. Bullish above ₹430; target ₹470.
- Caplin Point Laboratories: 4% rise in pharma sector. Support at ₹1,400, resistance at ₹1,500. Target ₹1,550.
- PTC Industries: BrahMos deal sparks interest. Support at ₹500, resistance at ₹600. Target ₹650 with 8-10% upside.
- Ramco Industries: Festive demand boost. Support at ₹200, resistance at ₹250. Target ₹270.
These stocks offer trading opportunities with clear support and resistance for risk management.
Sectoral Trends and Trading Strategies
The auto sector, led by Maruti Suzuki (+8.87% on August 18), remains a key beneficiary of GST reforms. Pharma stocks like Cipla and Dr Reddy’s are gaining traction, while IT faces mixed sentiment due to global tech volatility. Financials, including Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank, show resilience amid GST relief hopes for insurance premiums.
Trading Strategies:
- Nifty 50: Buy on dips near 24,900–25,000; sell near 25,250 if resistance holds. Use bull call spreads for options.
- Bank Nifty: Long above 55,800 for a target of 56,200; short below 55,500 with a stop at 55,600.
- Sector Focus: Auto and pharma for longs; avoid IT unless breakout confirmed.
- Risk Management: Set stop-losses 1-2% below support levels to counter Jackson Hole volatility.
Final Thoughts: Navigating the Market Today
The Indian stock market on August 22, 2025, presents a dynamic landscape. Nifty 50 and Bank Nifty predictions hinge on sustaining key support levels, with resistance breakouts offering upside potential. GST reforms and Jackson Hole developments will drive sentiment, making real-time monitoring critical. Stocks like Apollo Hospitals, Hindalco, and Paras Defence are prime candidates for trading, backed by strong technicals and fundamentals.
