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Defence names dominate the stocks to watch today list once again, with HAL, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MAZDOCK), and Paras Defence all flashing fresh breakout structures worth a spot on the radar, whether your holding period is short-term or longer. In today's stock market picture, Nifty today stays choppy in a sideways range with high intraday volatility, and Bank Nifty today mirrors that pattern with its own elevated swings. Corporate action is heavy too, with Reliance Industries, HAL, UPL, and ONGC leading the stocks in the news list, alongside a full slate of dividends, a stock split, and a buyback under today's corporate actions ahead of the 18 August ex-date.
Here's the full breakdown from Trader's Breakfast, Swastika Investmart's daily pre-market session, covering everything from share market news live updates to detailed technical analysis today before the opening bell.
Recommendations
Today's stocks to watch recommendation table from the Trader's Breakfast session.
All three names are flagged for a short-term radar, and per today's commentary, even a longer-term hold looks reasonable given defence is shaping up into a bigger opportunity.
Market Setup Today (17 August 2026)
Here's today's market outlook at a glance, covering global cues, FII DII data today, India VIX today, and the Nifty and Bank Nifty technical picture.
Global Markets
- US markets ended lower (Dow Jones -108 points).
- Dow Futures trading flat.
- Asian markets are trading on a mixed note.
- GIFT Nifty at -50 points.
FII/DII Data (Cash Market)
- FII posted a net inflow of Rs 508 crore.
- DII posted a net inflow of Rs 356 crore.
- Net cash market inflow stood at Rs 864 crore.
F&O Data Snapshot
- Nifty PCR at 0.98, versus 0.92 previously.
- India VIX at 11.30, down 0.99%.
- Highest OI for 18-Aug-26 at 25000 CE and 23000 PE.
- Max Pain for 18-Aug-26 at 24400.
Interpretation. FII data is mixed to negative in the F&O market today.
Nifty (Spot)
- Trading sideways with high intraday volatility.
- 24350 to 24300 is the immediate support zone, with 24200 as the next key support.
- 24450 to 24500 is the immediate resistance zone, followed by 24600 as the next hurdle.
Bank Nifty (Spot)
- Also trading sideways, with elevated volatility.
- 57700, 58000, and 58300 are the key resistance levels.
- 57300 and 57000 are the immediate support levels.
Watch Today's Complete Market Outlook
Catch the full technical breakdown and stock-specific view in today's Trader's Breakfast with Santosh Meena, Head of Research, Swastika Investmart.
Stocks to Watch Today
HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited)
All three names discussed today come from the defence space, and HAL leads the pack. Its recent results were very good, in line with a broader trend of strong results across defence companies. The chart shows a classical rounding-bottom formation with a good breakout.
Technical View, as discussed in today's Trader's Breakfast.
- Flagged as a hold, not a stock for small targets. A longer-term view is suggested.
- Near-term target of Rs 5600 to Rs 5700.
- Support forming around Rs 4500.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MAZDOCK)
From the shipping space, the chart of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders also looks good, with a rounding-bottom formation and the stock trading above all its moving averages.
Technical View.
- Downside support at Rs 2480.
- Immediate upside target of Rs 2800. Crossing that level could build a bigger rally.
- Worth noting that Cochin Shipyard's recent results, a related name in the same shipping space, were not as strong.
Paras Defence
The chart of Paras Defence is also looking good, with strong momentum and a breakout after a period of consolidation, forming a kind of flag pattern.
Technical View.
- Looks ready to set a new all-time high.
- Level of Rs 1500 could be seen soon.
- Rs 1220 should act as a good support.
Stocks in News Today
Here are today's key stocks in news, covering major corporate developments and partnerships.
- Reliance Industries: Signed an intent to partner with Rolls-Royce to develop the AMCA combat engine and establish an aerospace gas turbine complex in India.
- HAL: Partnered with Adani Defence and BEML for manufacturing fuselage structures for Light Combat Helicopters (LCH).
- UPL: Its step-down subsidiary Advanta will acquire Hytech Egypt for $110 million, aimed at strengthening its position in white and yellow corn across the Middle East and Africa.
- ONGC: The PSU secured a licence from the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), allowing it to resume full operations in Venezuela after years of limited activity due to sanctions-related risks.
Corporate Actions Today (Ex Date 18 August 2026)
A quick look at today's corporate actions today, including ex-dividend stocks today, a stock split today, and a buyback.
Dividend
- Bombay Oxygen Investments Ltd: Final Dividend of Rs 25.00.
- Ecos (India) Mobility & Hospitality Ltd: Final Dividend of Rs 2.38.
- Elixir Capital Ltd: Final Dividend of Rs 1.25.
- India Gelatine & Chemicals Ltd: Final Dividend of Rs 6.00.
- Mahanagar Gas Ltd: Final Dividend of Rs 18.00.
- NGL Fine Chem Ltd: Final Dividend of Rs 1.75.
- Seshaasai Technologies Ltd: Final Dividend of Rs 2.50.
- Sun TV Network Ltd: Interim Dividend of Rs 5.00.
- Forbes Precision Tools and Machine Parts Ltd: Interim Dividend of Rs 5.00.
Stock Split
- Kirloskar Pneumatic Company Ltd: Stock split from Rs 2 face value to Rs 1 face value.
Buy Back
Frequently Asked Questions
Which stocks are worth watching today?
Based on today's Trader's Breakfast, HAL, Mazagon Dock, and Paras Defence are the key stocks to watch, all from the defence space and suitable for both a short-term and a longer-term view.
What are Nifty's key support and resistance levels today?
Nifty is trading sideways with high intraday volatility, with support at 24350 to 24300 and 24200, and resistance at 24450 to 24500 and 24600.
What are Bank Nifty's key levels today?
Bank Nifty is also trading sideways with elevated volatility, with resistance at 57700, 58000, and 58300, and support at 57300 and 57000.
Over to You
Today's stock-specific focus stays entirely within defence, with HAL, Mazagon Dock, and Paras Defence all showing constructive breakout structures worth tracking for the short term, and potentially longer, given the sector's growing momentum. On the index side, both Nifty and Bank Nifty remain in a sideways, volatile phase.
As always, track price action around key support and resistance levels, follow the broader market outlook, and apply disciplined risk management before taking any trading or investment decision. For more stocks to watch today, stock market news today, and share market news live, keep following Swastika Investmart's Trader's Breakfast.
