Global Cues:
US markets ended lower for the fourth consecutive day with S&P down 0.24% and Nasdaq down 0.67%. Tech and chipmakers led the declines, with Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, and Broadcom falling over 1% each. Fed minutes revealed concerns over tariffs and inflation, and officials largely agreed it’s too early to cut interest rates.
GIFT Nifty is flat at 25,080, US 10Y yields slightly lower at 4.29%, Brent crude trades at $67, and the Dollar Index stands at 98.3. Attention is on the Jackson Hole Symposium, with Powell’s speech scheduled for tomorrow.
Stocks to Watch Today
Negative / Caution:
-
Insurance Stocks: GST exemption proposed for individual premiums. SBI Life, HDFC Life, Max Financial, Star Health, and Niva Bupa could see near-term pressure.
-
Nazara Tech: Online Gaming Bill, 2025 passed in Lok Sabha – potential headwinds.
Positive / Watch for Gains:
-
Consumption, Cement, Auto: GST relaxations expected; a 2-slab structure likely.
-
OMCs, Reliance, GAIL: Russia offering 5% discount on crude and LNG supplies. >30% of India’s crude imports from Russia.
-
Bharat Dynamics & Defense Stocks: Successful Agni-5 missile test; Rs 62k cr Tejas aircraft deal.
-
Shree Cement: Tax demand reduced from Rs 588.65 cr to Rs 221.72 cr.
-
Jupiter Wagons: Received LOI for Vande Bharat Train worth Rs 215 cr.
-
Railtel: Won two orders worth Rs 50 cr from Odisha & Kerala governments.
-
Telecom Stocks: Prepaid plan focus continues; volume growth visible.
-
JSW Infra: MOSL reiterates Buy with TP 380, citing ports & logistics expansion.
Neutral / Monitoring:
-
Vedanta: Filed detailed NCLT response after Petroleum Ministry flagged demerger.
-
India Cements: UltraTech to sell 6.49% stake through OFS at Rs 368/share; UltraTech holds 81.49% in June quarter.
-
V-Guard Industries: ICICI Pru MF acquired 1% stake worth Rs 245 cr.
Spot Index Levels – 21st August 2025
Nifty 50: Support 24,900 / 24,800 | Resistance 25,100 / 25,200
BankNifty: Support 55,500 / 55,300 | Resistance 56,000 / 56,200
Nifty Fin Services: Support 26,400 / 26,300 | Resistance 26,600 / 26,700
BSE Sensex: Support 81,500 / 81,300 | Resistance 82,000 / 82,300
Markets are likely to trade cautiously today ahead of Powell’s speech. Tech and global cues will remain key, while domestic sectors respond to GST relaxations, defense deals, and commodity flows from Russia.