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The challenge continues to persist at higher levels, with markets still struggling to find stable ground. As profit booking remains the dominant theme, investors must tread cautiously. Global cues continue to be a drag, and they are likely to remain a key pressure point in the near term.

Here are two stocks to buy or sell as recommended by Raja Venkatraman of NeoTrader for Monday, 19 May.

WSTCSTPAPR: Buy CMP and  dips to ₹460, stop ₹450 target ₹520- 540

NEWGEN: Buy above ₹1165 and dips to 1140, stop 1130 target ₹1275- 1295

After Thursday’s surge, the broader markets saw a lacklustre Friday as benchmarks slipped slightly in the absence of fresh catalysts. The Nifty settled at 25,019.80, down 0.17%, as consolidation in heavyweight stocks across sectors capped gains and led to a lethargic trading session.

On the sectoral front, performance was mixed. Realty, energy, and auto stocks posted modest gains, while the IT sector saw profit booking and declined nearly 1%. Interestingly, the broader indices outperformed the benchmarks, supported by continued interest in themes like defence and railways.

Also read: Tata Power’s solar cell plant fuels Q4 earnings, sets stage for FY26 growth

The recovery in broader markets brought more comfort to investors than the minor pullback in the headline index. Sustained FII inflows and steady global cues are lending support to sentiment. Going ahead, market direction will likely be shaped by corporate earnings and global trends in the absence of any major domestic triggers.

While the markets remain cautious, there's still a clear undertone of optimism—evident in the Nifty’s ability to hold above the 25,000 mark. As we head into a new week, supportive global cues are setting the stage for a positive start. A gap-up opening on Monday looks likely, but the real challenge will be sustaining the momentum and building on it.

The technical setup offers encouraging signs. Friday’s dip towards the 24,500 zone was met with buying support, and the strong close above 25,000—alongside the absence of aggressive selling pressure—suggests that the market may be preparing for an upward move. Intraday charts also reflect strength, bolstered by positive news flow around earnings and geopolitics.

Also read: Sugar rush: The five sweetest stocks to sample in 2025

That said, option data indicates some hesitation. The Put-Call Ratio (PCR) for the Nifty stands at 0.73 and at 0.90 for the Bank Nifty, reflecting a cautious stance in the derivatives segment. While the broader trend continues to lean bullish, a decisive trigger is still awaited for confirmation.

Until then, every positive move should be seen as a promising sign—but not yet a full-fledged breakout.  

Source: TradingView

WSTCSTPAPR: Buy CMP and  dips to ₹460, stop ₹450 target ₹520- 540

NEWGEN: Buy   above ₹1165 and dips to 1140, stop 1130 target ₹1275- 1295

Also read: Mint Explainer: Understanding NSE's new framework for retail algo trading and what it means for traders

Raja Venkatraman is co-founder, NeoTrader. His Sebi-registered research analyst registration no. is INH000016223.

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 guarantees 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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