The Indian stock market faced a turbulent day on Friday, largely driven by the unexpected tariffs introduced by Donald Trump. The Nifty 50 index plummeted 345 points, finishing at 22,904, while the BSE Sensex experienced an even steeper decline of 930 points, closing at 75,364. The Bank Nifty index also fell 94 points, settling at 51,502. This significant downturn impacted various sectors, with small-cap and mid-cap stocks seeing notable corrections of 3.43% and 3.08%, respectively.

Market Overview: A Shift Towards Decline

The broader market landscape on Friday reflected a clear trend towards declining shares. The BSE advance-decline ratio dropped to 0.40, indicating that for every advancing stock, there were many more declining ones. All sectors, except for the Nifty FMCG, closed in the red. The hardest-hit sectors included Metals, Pharmaceuticals, Oil & Gas, Real Estate, and Information Technology, all recording substantial losses.

Market Sentiment: Is It Time to Buy or Sell?

According to Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking, the sentiment in the Indian stock market appears to be leaning towards a sideways to negative trend. He noted that the Nifty 50 index is currently fluctuating within the range of 22,800 to 23,800. Bagadia cautioned that if the index decisively falls below 22,800, it could lead to further weakening of the market sentiment.

Stock Recommendations for Monday

For investors looking to navigate the current market conditions, Bagadia highlighted three stocks worth considering for Monday’s trading session:

• Asian Paints

  • Current Price: ₹2,356.05
  • Target: ₹2,570
  • Stop Loss: ₹2,250

  Asian Paints has been consolidating at lower levels, suggesting a potential breakout. If the stock surpasses ₹2,370, it may signal a rally towards the target of ₹2,570. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) of 62.91 indicates growing momentum, reinforcing the bullish outlook.

• HDFC Bank

  • Current Price: ₹1,817.30
  • Target: ₹1,990
  • Stop Loss: ₹1,730

  Trading in an upward trajectory, HDFC Bank’s shares are forming higher highs and lows. A move above ₹1,850 would bolster the bullish sentiment, potentially pushing the stock towards the target of ₹1,990. The RSI of 62.87 suggests increasing momentum, making this a stock to watch.

• Nestle India

  • Current Price: ₹2,262.15
  • Target: ₹2,480
  • Stop Loss: ₹2,150

  Nestle India is currently consolidating near a demand zone after a significant decline. A decisive break above ₹2,300 could lead to a rally towards ₹2,480. The RSI at 56.13 indicates a positive trend, making it a stock with potential upside.

Conclusion: Keeping an Eye on Market Movements

In these uncertain times, monitoring market movements and individual stock performance is crucial. Investors should watch for key support levels and volume trends to gauge the ongoing strength of these stocks. Whether you’re considering a buy or sell strategy, staying informed will help you navigate the shifting landscape of the Indian stock market.