The Sensex traded at 77,444.13, up 0.69% as of 12:20 PM on the weekly expiry day, showing positive momentum despite some afternoon consolidation. According to Dalal Street Investment Journal (DSIJ), the Put Call Ratio (PCR) has eased from 1.01 to 0.98, indicating a modest shift in favor of Call open interest as the session progressed. The Max Pain level remains unchanged at 77,500, keeping the Sensex very close to the strike around which option writers may prefer the index to settle during expiry. Call open interest has moved closer to the market at 77,500–77,600, while Put positioning has strengthened at 77,300–77,400, narrowing the expiry battle around the current index level.
The Indian stock market is expected to start on a higher note on Friday (August 21), as indicated by GIFT Nifty August 2026 futures trading 34 points higher, signaling a mildly positive opening for the Nifty 50. According to reports from Business Standard, this positive momentum comes after the NSE Nifty snapped a seven-session losing streak on Thursday, climbing 153.55 points to 24,231.85 and reclaiming the crucial 24,200 level. The recovery was supported by easing US Treasury yields after the US Treasury announced plans to double its buybacks of longer-duration government debt, helping steady global bond markets and improve risk appetite.
SEBI-registered research analyst Kunal Bothra has recommended Adani Ports and DLF as potential buys for Friday's trading session. As reported by ET Now, Bothra has set specific price targets for both stocks, with Adani Ports having a share price target of ₹1,740 and DLF targeting ₹710. The analyst's recommendations come ahead of the trading session as markets prepare for a positive start based on GIFT Nifty's upward movement and the broader market recovery. Recent market data shows Adani Ports trading at ₹1,499 with a market capitalization of ₹345,363.47 crore and DLF at ₹585.25 with a market cap of ₹144,867.62 crore. Both stocks are positioned among the top infrastructure stocks in India, with DLF showing strong fundamentals and Adani Ports benefiting from its diversified port operations.
The BSE Sensex surged 628.04 points or 0.82% to 77,537.72 after four consecutive sessions of decline, while the NSE Nifty gained 153.55 points or 0.64% to 24,231.85 on Thursday. According to Business Standard reports, the recovery was broad-based, led by IT, financials, realty and media stocks, with buying support across the broader market. The Nifty Bank index closed 256.15 points, or 0.45% higher at 57,495.90, tracking the movement of the top 12 listed banks in the country. This rebound in the banking sector contributed significantly to the overall market recovery after the extended period of losses.
Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth ₹583.36 crore on August 20, 2026, while domestic institutional investors (DIIs) were net buyers to the tune of ₹3,537.71 crore in the Indian equity market. As reported by Business Standard, FPIs have been net buyers worth ₹14,399.76 crore in August so far, following net cash purchases of ₹6,731.97 crore in July 2026 and net sales of ₹53,957.90 crore in June 2026. The rupee also snapped its three-day losing streak and closed at 95.71 per dollar, providing additional support to market sentiment.
The afternoon derivatives setup shows Call writers have shifted closer to the market, with highest open interest concentrated at 77,500 and 77,600 strikes. Fresh Call additions are visible at 77,500 and 77,700, suggesting that writers are building positions immediately above the prevailing index level. On the downside, Put writers have strengthened positions just below the index, with highest Put open interest at 77,400 and 77,300 strikes. Fresh Put writing is concentrated at 77,400 and 77,300, creating an immediate support base below the index. The setup remains broadly balanced with 77,500 as the key pivot, where a sustained move above could improve sentiment, while continued trading below may keep the index under pressure from Call writers.
