Intraday Stocks for Today: Infosys, Kotak Mahindra Bank and TCS, Analyst Top Picks 20 August 2026
- August 20, 2026
- Posted by: Ankit Jaiswal
- Category: Market
Nifty 50 closed 24,078.30 on 19 Aug. INFY target Rs 1,140/SL Rs 1,104. KOTAKBANK target Rs 398/SL Rs 384. TCS target Rs 2,330/SL Rs 2,255.
Quick Answer
The best these picks on 20 August 2026 are Infosys (target Rs 1,140, SL Rs 1,104), Kotak Mahindra Bank (target Rs 398, SL Rs 384) and TCS (target Rs 2,330, SL Rs 2,255), flagged by Ankit Jaiswal and Kunal Singla of Univest based on 19 August close data and the Thursday weekly options expiry setup. The Nifty 50 closed at 24,078.30 (-0.32%) and VIX at 11.31 on 19 August 2026.
The best these picks on 20 August 2026 are drawn from a market that showed selective resilience on 19 August, with the Nifty 50 closing at 24,078.30 (-0.32%) and the Bank Nifty virtually unchanged at 57,239.75 (-0.04%). IT stocks Infosys (+0.43%) and TCS (+0.39%) led the recovery, while Kotak Mahindra Bank (+0.67%) outperformed among banking heavyweights. India VIX fell to 11.31 (-0.70%), reaching its lowest level in recent sessions and signalling a calm environment for today’s intraday stocks session.
Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, has flagged Infosys and Kotak Mahindra Bank as the these picks, citing consecutive-session IT recovery momentum and KOTAKBANK’s breakout from 19 August’s Bank Nifty underperformance. Kunal Singla, Associate Director at Univest, has added TCS to today’s intraday watchlist as the second IT leg of the recovery play. Critically, 20 August is a Thursday NSE weekly expiry day with maximum open interest at Nifty 24,000 and Bank Nifty 57,000, creating additional intraday volatility opportunities around these key OI concentration levels.
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What Are Intraday Stocks for Today?
these picks are equity shares bought and sold within the same trading session, with all positions squared off before NSE closes at 3:30 PM IST. Unlike delivery trades, intraday positions carry no overnight risk but require precise entry points, well-defined stop losses, and disciplined exit execution. Analysts identify the best these picks using volume patterns, RSI readings, support and resistance zones, and short-term technical catalysts. Today’s three picks are anchored in the 19 August close data and are designed for the 20 August morning session’s expiry-day dynamics.
Market Context for 20 August 2026 Intraday Session
- Nifty 50 closed at 24,078.30 on 19 August (-0.32%), with support at 23,950-24,025 and resistance at 24,175. The market has been trending in a narrow band today’s expiry may catalyse a directional move through either key level.
- Bank Nifty ended at 57,239.75 (-0.04%), nearly flat, with support at 57,000-57,050 and resistance at 57,360. Kotak Mahindra Bank’s outperformance (+0.67%) is a positive divergence for banking these picks.
- India VIX at 11.31 (-0.70%) signals very low fear in the options market. Low VIX on an expiry day typically means the market does not anticipate large swings, which creates a favourable environment for momentum-based these picks.
- Thursday weekly expiry: maximum open interest at Nifty 24,000 call and put strikes, and Bank Nifty 57,000. Option sellers defending these strikes can create sharp reversals intraday traders should watch for pin action around these levels.
Infosys (INFY): Intraday Stock for Today 20 August 2026
Share Price Target: Rs 1,140 | Stop Loss: Rs 1,104 | CMP: Rs 1,119.80 | Market Cap: ~Rs 4,73,500 Cr
Infosys is the lead pick among the intraday stocks for today on 20 August, driven by back-to-back sessions of recovery after the sharp -2.29% decline on 18 August. The stock gained 0.43% on 19 August on volume of 84,08,573 shares, confirming that buyers have stepped in at the 19 August low of Rs 1,113.80. The RSI is recovering toward 52-55 territory after being in oversold conditions following 18 August’s selloff a reading that signals momentum building rather than exhaustion. Ankit Jaiswal has flagged INFY as the top intraday stock for today, noting that two-day recovery patterns from oversold conditions in large-cap IT often extend to a third session on expiry day.
The Rs 1,140 target for the Infosys intraday stocks for today trade places the exit approximately 1.8% above the 19 August close, a realistic single-session move for a Rs 4.73 lakh crore market cap company with high NSE liquidity. The stop loss at Rs 1,104 is set below the 19 August low of Rs 1,113.80, providing a logical technical exit if the recovery thesis fails.
Kotak Mahindra Bank (KOTAKBANK): Intraday Stock for Today 20 August 2026
Share Price Target: Rs 398 | Stop Loss: Rs 384 | CMP: Rs 390.25 | Market Cap: ~Rs 3,90,000 Cr
Kotak Mahindra Bank‘s intraday setup for 20 August is built on its status as the top-performing major bank on 19 August (+0.67%), when broader banking names like ICICI Bank (-0.71%) and Axis Bank (-0.64%) declined. This positive divergence signals selective institutional buying in KOTAKBANK. The RSI at approximately 58 reflects bullish momentum without entering overbought territory, leaving headroom for the Rs 398 target. Ankit Jaiswal has flagged KOTAKBANK as one of the intraday stocks for today, noting that when a banking stock outperforms both its sector index and the benchmark in a weak session, it typically continues to lead in the subsequent session.
The Bank Nifty’s 57,000 support level on weekly expiry day is a critical anchor for banking intraday stocks for today. If the Bank Nifty holds above 57,000-57,050, KOTAKBANK is likely to remain well-bid given its recent relative outperformance. The stop loss at Rs 384 is placed below the 19 August opening of Rs 387.00, providing a clear technical invalidation level for this intraday trade.
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TCS (TCS): Intraday Stock for Today 20 August 2026
Share Price Target: Rs 2,330 | Stop Loss: Rs 2,255 | CMP: Rs 2,289.00 | Market Cap: ~Rs 8,31,000 Cr
TCS joins Infosys as an IT recovery play among the intraday stocks for today on 20 August, having gained 0.39% on 19 August after falling sharply alongside Infosys on 18 August. The stock’s 19 August close of Rs 2,289.00 came after touching an intraday low of Rs 2,258.30, and the recovery from those lows confirms that buyers absorbed the IT sector selloff’s tail end. The RSI is neutral-to-bullish at approximately 53, consistent with early-stage recovery momentum. Kunal Singla has flagged TCS as the third leg of the intraday stocks for today selection, noting that INFY and TCS historically move together in IT recovery sessions, making TCS a natural complement to the Infosys position.
The Rs 2,330 target for TCS as an intraday stock for today represents approximately 1.8% upside from the 19 August close a level consistent with the stock’s daily average true range. The stop loss at Rs 2,255 sits just below the 19 August intraday low of Rs 2,258.30, providing a clear technical exit if the IT recovery thesis fails on expiry day.
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Intraday Trading Strategy for 20 August 2026 (Expiry Day)
1. Expiry Day Entry Timing
On expiry Thursdays, the first 30 minutes (9:15 AM to 9:45 AM) can be misleading due to option-related opening volatility. For the intraday stocks for today, consider waiting until 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM when price direction stabilises after the initial expiry-related noise settles. Early gap-ups or gap-downs in intraday stocks for today should be treated with caution if they exceed 1% from the previous close.
2. Position Sizing on Expiry Day
Limit each intraday position to no more than 5% of your total trading capital. Expiry days can see sharper-than-expected reversals when option pinning unwinds after noon. The intraday stocks for today are selected for their strong setups, but concentrated positions on expiry day carry elevated reversal risk around 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM as the session’s directional move becomes clearer.
3. Stop Loss Discipline
Honour the stop losses: INFY at Rs 1,104, KOTAKBANK at Rs 384, and TCS at Rs 2,255. A sustained move below any of these levels signals that the intraday setup has failed. Do not average down on any of the intraday stocks for today. If one position hits its stop loss, resist the temptation to immediately re-enter wait for the next clear technical signal.
4. Square Off Before 3:00 PM
Do not hold the intraday stocks for today into the final 30 minutes. Expiry-day closing volatility can be especially sharp as participants unwind positions. Use 3:00 PM as a hard exit time for all three intraday stocks for today, protecting gains from any late-session reversal triggered by option expiry mechanics.
Risks of Intraday Trading on 20 August 2026
- Expiry Pin Risk: Weekly expiry at Nifty 24,000 and Bank Nifty 57,000 creates option seller pressure around these levels. If the Nifty pins at 24,000, it may constrain the intraday stocks for today from moving decisively in either direction during the morning session.
- Global Crude Oil Risk: Brent crude prices have risen for four consecutive sessions to $91.28 on US-Iran Hormuz uncertainty. A sudden escalation could spike crude, weaken the rupee, and pressure the broader Nifty which would create an adverse backdrop for the intraday stocks for today.
- IT Sector Reversal: The INFY and TCS recovery on 19 August may face resistance if FII selling in IT names resumes. Check whether Infosys and TCS open above their 19 August closing levels before entering the intraday stocks for today positions in these names.
Conclusion
Infosys, Kotak Mahindra Bank and TCS are the best intraday stocks for today on 20 August 2026, selected from a market that showed selective IT recovery and banking resilience on 19 August against a backdrop of low VIX (11.31) and a steady Nifty above 24,000. Ankit Jaiswal’s choice of INFY reflects the two-session recovery from the 18 August IT selloff, and his KOTAKBANK flag captures the stock’s positive divergence against other banking names. Kunal Singla’s TCS entry completes the IT recovery trade as a secondary momentum play on expiry day. Respect the stop losses, trade within today’s session only, and consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before executing any intraday trade.
Disclaimer: Data and figures in this article are sourced from publicly available information and may not always be accurate. Verify all data with NSE (nseindia.com) and BSE (bseindia.com) before investing. Investments in securities are subject to market risk. This content is for educational purposes only and is not investment advice by Univest (SEBI RA INH000013776).
Frequently Asked Questions: Intraday Stocks for Today 20 August 2026
What are the best intraday stocks for today on 20 August 2026?
Ans. The best intraday stocks for today on 20 August 2026 are Infosys (INFY), Kotak Mahindra Bank (KOTAKBANK) and TCS. INFY targets Rs 1,140 with a stop loss at Rs 1,104, KOTAKBANK targets Rs 398 with a stop loss at Rs 384, and TCS targets Rs 2,330 with a stop loss at Rs 2,255. These intraday stocks for today were selected based on their relative outperformance on 19 August 2026, the Thursday weekly options expiry setup, and the IT sector recovery momentum combined with banking resilience.
Why is 20 August a special session for intraday stocks for today?
Ans. 20 August 2026 is a Thursday, which means it is a weekly options expiry session for Nifty and Bank Nifty on NSE. Weekly expiry sessions often see elevated intraday volatility as option sellers defend key strikes and option buyers take directional bets. Maximum open interest (OI) sits at Nifty 24,000 and Bank Nifty 57,000 for the 20 August expiry. Traders monitoring intraday stocks for today should be especially aware of sharp moves around these OI concentration levels during the session.
Which Univest analysts picked the intraday stocks for today on 20 August?
Ans. Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, has flagged Infosys and Kotak Mahindra Bank as intraday stocks for today based on INFY’s consecutive-session recovery momentum and KOTAKBANK’s outperformance against the Bank Nifty on 19 August. Kunal Singla, Associate Director at Univest, has added TCS to today’s intraday watchlist, noting the IT sector’s two-session recovery from 18 August weakness and TCS’s high liquidity on expiry day.
What stop loss levels apply to intraday stocks for today on 20 August?
Ans. The stop losses for intraday stocks for today are: Infosys (INFY) at Rs 1,104, Kotak Mahindra Bank (KOTAKBANK) at Rs 384, and TCS at Rs 2,255. Each stop loss is set just below the key technical support level identified from 19 August’s session. All three intraday stocks for today must be squared off before 3:30 PM IST regardless of whether the target or stop loss is triggered.
How should I use these intraday stocks for today?
Ans. These intraday stocks for today are provided for educational and reference purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Use the listed targets and stop losses as reference levels within your own risk management framework. Always verify live prices on NSE (nseindia.com), set stop losses before entering any position, and close all intraday positions before 3:30 PM IST. Consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before executing any trade.
