Market Outlook 18 August: Index, IPOs, and Stocks to Watch

2 weeks ago

Introduction – Market Outlook 18 August

Good morning and welcome to your Market Outlook 18 August edition.

Indian equity markets finally snapped a six-week losing streak and ended the truncated Independence Day week on a positive note. The Nifty 50 gained 1.10%, while Nifty Midcap 150 and Nifty Small Cap 250 advanced 0.81% and 0.69% respectively.

The rally came despite global headwinds like US tariff uncertainty and sustained FII outflows. What fueled the resilience?
Strong domestic institutional buying cushioned the pressure.
A credit rating upgrade lifted investor sentiment — on August 14, S&P Global raised India’s sovereign rating from BBB- to BBB, highlighting policy stability and infrastructure-led growth.

With markets reopening after a long weekend, volatility could spike as traders digest both global and domestic cues.

In this newsletter, you’ll get the index technical outlook, key market-moving news, IPO updates, stocks on radar, and the big picture for the week ahead.

Index Technical Market Outlook 18 August

According to Equity Pandit Analysis, the major Indian indices are showing short-term negative trends with limited upside unless key resistance levels are crossed. Traders are advised to keep strict stoplosses and wait for closing confirmations before initiating fresh long positions.

SENSEX – Current View

Level: 80,598 | Trend: Negative

Stoploss for short positions: 80,853
Fresh long entry: Only if SENSEX closes above 80,853

Support Levels: 80,475 – 80,352 – 80,213
Resistance Levels: 80,728 – 80,853 – 80,979
Tentative Range: 79,936 – 81,258

👉 Investors should track heavyweight banking and IT stocks closely, as they may drive the next directional move.

NIFTY 50 – Current View

Level: 24,631 | Trend: Negative

Stoploss for short positions: 24,673
Fresh long entry: Only if NIFTY closes above 24,673

Support Levels: 24,594 – 24,557 – 24,518
Resistance Levels: 24,673 – 24,711 – 24,750
Tentative Range: 24,428 – 24,833

👉 The index is trading with caution; intraday traders should focus on breakout or breakdown levels for momentum opportunities.

BANK NIFTY – Current View

Level: 55,342 | Trend: Negative

Stoploss for short positions: 55,703
Fresh long entry: Only if BANK NIFTY closes above 55,703

Support Levels: 55,120 – 54,898 – 54,721
Resistance Levels: 55,703 – 55,855 – 56,008
Tentative Range: 54,500 – 56,000

👉 Volatility in banking stocks continues; traders should remain cautious and avoid aggressive long positions until confirmation above resistance.

Overall Outlook:
All three indices are still under pressure. Until resistances are decisively crossed, the broader market is expected to remain range-bound with a downside bias.

News & Stocks That Might Impact Markets

1. NCLT Approves INSCO’s Bid for Hindustan National Glass

The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has cleared INSCO’s ₹2,250 crore resolution plan to acquire Hindustan National Glass & Industries Ltd (HNGL), India’s oldest and largest container glass manufacturer.

HNGL was in financial distress with a debt of nearly ₹3,000 crore, and lenders had been seeking a buyer for years.
The approved plan paves the way for the Madhvani Group (through INSCO) to gain a strong foothold in India’s packaging and container glass industry, which is growing due to rising demand in FMCG, liquor, and pharmaceuticals.
The deal is also significant as it demonstrates growing investor appetite for India’s manufacturing revival story.