Despite the Nifty moving within a narrow band of 24,180–24,215 during the session, banking stocks provided strong support to the market, reflecting selective buying interest. Analysts say the recent dip may have already seen a short-term bottom, although global uncertainties continue to keep traders alert.
Rahul Sharma from JM Financial Services pointed to easing volatility as a key factor behind the improved sentiment. “Yes, so the VIX is down today which is most importantly due to the pullback that we are seeing in oil prices and that should aid the sentiment as well. Yesterday, we did create a panic low in the Nifty around 23,700 and post that it has been only buying that has been seen on the screen and post today’s gap up markets have sustained the 24,000 and above landmark and the way it is set up maybe a bit of volatility here and there but eventually things should gradually improve from here,” he said in an interview to ET Now.
However, he cautioned that markets remain vulnerable to global developments, particularly geopolitical tensions. “So, we are doing a very selective approach in this kind of a market, stay away from the high beta names because the market is still probably not out of the woods. War is something that we are not good at predicting.”
In the current environment, Sharma believes defensive sectors are the safest bet for traders. “So, in this kind of a market it is best to stick to defensives and one defensive space in this kind of a market is clearly pharma. So, pharma index continues to impress on the long side, that is one index which has not seen the brunt of selling pressure and today we seeing a good pull back happening in the pharma space.”
Several pharmaceutical stocks are showing strong technical setups, he noted. “So, the likes of Aurobindo Pharma is coming out from a multi-week like resistance. We are seeing Glenmark giving a breakout, today being the top performer in the pharma space. We are also seeing Sun Pharma also similarly positioned very well. So, it is best to get into a basket of pharma stocks for the trading perspective unless and until global volatility does not stabilise, it is best to stick to this pharma space.”According to Sharma, a major shift in market sentiment would likely depend on geopolitical developments. “And for Nifty to sort of turn the tables and for a big reversal in place, this has to be a major ceasefire announcement which comes from the Middle East.”Given the unpredictable environment, he recommends a shorter trading horizon. “So until then, it is best to stick to pharma and Nifty, it is better to be a day trader in this kind of a market than to look at carrying positions and seeing gap ups and gap downs sort of ruin your trades in case you happen to be on the wrong side.”
From a strategic standpoint, Sharma highlighted a key support level for the benchmark index. “Yes, so as a strategy, Nifty crucial level to keep an eye on is 23,500. Yesterday, we came close to that. Let us say due to volatility if that level does emerge, that is a very good level to get into like top up your portfolios and get into Nifty ETFs, get into, in fact, midcap Nifty ETFs as well.”
He also remains constructive on select public sector names. “And banking as we have known PSU banks are the best placed setup even after this correction, so something like an SBI remains a strong buy in this kind of a volatility and we feel that the stock should be back to where it was a few days back.”
For now, the market’s leadership appears to be concentrated in a few resilient pockets. “So, PSU banks, apart from that public sector enterprises, and pharma these are the three sectors where we are looking for opportunities on the long side,” Sharma said.
With volatility still a key feature of the current market environment, experts suggest that investors remain selective and focus on sectors that are demonstrating relative strength while keeping a close watch on global developments.
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