

Stocks to buy: Raja Venkatraman's recommends three stocks for 20 February
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Stock market update: Absolutely disappointing end to a day when all the effort that was seen in the last three days was brought to a nought, leading the trends to capsize without any hesitation. This has now proved that we need to work harder as domestic cues are not able to sustain the momentum.
Best stocks to buy today (All Buy trades are rates of Equity & Sell rates are based on F&O) Marico Ltd: Buy above ₹783 | Stop ₹760 | Target ₹833 (multiday) Gujarat Ambuja Exports Ltd: Buy above ₹142 | Stop ₹135 | Target ₹155 (multiday) Tech Mahindra Ltd: Sell below ₹1,470 | Stop ₹1,515 | Target ₹1,390 (multiday) The NSE Nifty retreated from its record high of 26,026 to close at 25,790, down 91 points, as profit booking set in after a three-day rally that had lifted the index by 1.4%. The broader market bore the brunt of the correction, with the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 indices falling 1.6% and 1.27%, respectively. Thirteen of the 16 major sectoral indices ended in the red, with banking, IT, FMCG, and oil and gas stocks leading the decline.
The Nifty Bank dropped nearly 1%, weighed down by losses in Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, and IndusInd Bank. Rising crude oil prices, driven by geopolitical tensions involving the US and Iran, added to investor caution. Brent crude hovered at $70.31 per barrel after a sharp 4.35% surge in the previous session.
Analysts pointed to the 25,900-26,000 zone as a key resistance level for the Nifty, suggesting that a sustained breakout above this range could signal renewed bullish momentum. Meanwhile, India VIX spiked 8.1% to 13.21, reflecting heightened near-term volatility, especially with the F&O expiry adding to market jitters. Despite the pullback,
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