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The benchmark Sensex has been in the green for six consecutive sessions, its longest daily winning streak since late April this year. On Thursday, the Nifty50 added 33.20 points or 0.13% to close at 25,083.75, while the BSE Sensex advanced 142.87 points or 0.17%, ending the day at 82,000.71. The Bank Nifty, however, showed relative underperformance, inching up by just 56.95 points or 0.10% to settle at 55,755.45, reflecting profit-taking in financial names.

On Thursday, 21 August 2025, the Nifty 50 added 33.20 points, or 0.13%, to close at 25,083.75, while the BSE Sensex advanced 142.87 points, or 0.17%, ending the day at 82,000.71. The Bank Nifty, however, showed relative underperformance, inching up by just 56.95 points, or 0.10%, to settle at 55,755.45, reflecting profit-taking in financial names.

Sector-wise, market action remained mixed. Weakness was visible in FMCG (−0.64%), Energy (−0.48%), and PSE (−0.47%), which capped broader gains. In contrast, strength came from Pharma (+0.95%), Healthcare (+0.93%), and Realty (+0.38%), showcasing investors’ tilt towards cyclicals and consumption-oriented counters.

In the stock-specific space, Mankind Industries emerged as the standout performer, surging 3.73%. Cipla followed with a strong 3.02% gain, while TVS Motor climbed 1.58%, supported by favorable momentum in their respective sectors. On the other hand, some heavyweights exerted pressure on the upside—Dabur slipped 3.61%, Bosch Limited declined 1.15%, and Indigo fell 0.92%.

Globally, optimism was reinforced as softer-than-expected U.S. inflation data rekindled expectations of a September rate cut by the Federal Reserve. On the domestic front, retail inflation cooling to an eight-year low of 1.55% further bolstered confidence. Together, these macro positives underpinned buying interest, helping the Nifty maintain stability above the 24,600 mark despite selective sectoral divergences.

Nifty Technical Analysis – Daily & Hourly

The Nifty 50 ended the session on 21st August 2025 consolidating just above the 25,000 mark, reflecting indecision after the recent upmove. While the index managed to hold its ground, the technical and derivatives data suggest a mixed setup heading into the next session.

From a technical perspective, the index continues to trade above its short-term moving averages, with the 20-DMA at 24,740 and 40-DEMA at 24,861 providing a cushion on the downside. On the daily timeframe, the RSI stands at 57, indicating steady momentum, while the MACD has narrowed to –22, showing that bearish pressure is gradually fading but not yet fully reversed. On the hourly chart, the 20-HMA at 25,041 is positioned above the 40-HEMA at 24,923, confirming a bullish crossover that continues to support intraday strength. The hourly RSI at 62 remains in the positive territory, while the MACD is strongly positive at +78, reinforcing near-term bullish momentum.

On the derivatives front, the positioning presents a slightly more nuanced picture. The overall Put OI stands higher at 16.70 crore versus Call OI of 15.82 crore, giving the broader trend a bullish skew. However, the day’s change data tilts bearish—total Put OI declined by 1.52 crore while Call OI rose by 2.30 crore, resulting in a negative OI differential of 3.82 crore. This indicates some profit-taking by put writers and fresh call additions at higher strikes. The maximum Call OI and the highest change are concentrated at the 25,100 strike, marking this level as the immediate resistance. On the Put side, the maximum OI is parked at 25,050, with fresh activity also seen at 25,100, indicating that both bulls and bears are converging around this zone.

In summary, while the close above 25,000 keeps the structure constructive, the heavy OI build-up at 25,100 could act as a short-term ceiling unless decisively crossed. Sustaining above 25,100 remains the key trigger for a potential short-covering rally towards 25,300–25,500. On the downside, the 24,740–24,860 zone—aligned with the 20-DMA and 40-DEMA—remains the critical support area. A break below this could weaken momentum.

With daily indicators turning constructive, hourly charts holding bullish momentum, and OI showing signs of a tussle at 25,100, the market is likely to witness a range-bound yet eventful session, where a decisive breakout could dictate the next leg of the rally.

Ankush Bajaj is a Sebi-registered research analyst. His registration number is INH000010441.

Investments in securities are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.

Registration granted by Sebi and certification from NISM in no way guarantee performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.

Disclaimer: The views and recommendations given in this article are those of individual analysts. These do not represent the views of Mint. We advise investors to check with certified experts before making any investment decisions.

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