Intraday Stocks for Today: Hindustan Copper, ICICI Bank and Ashok Leyland, Analyst Top Picks 18 August 2026

The best intraday stocks for today on 18 August 2026 are drawn from a market beginning a technical recovery. The Nifty 50 closed above 24,350 on 17 August after bouncing more than 400 points from its intraday low, ending a five-session losing streak. LME copper’s near-record spot premium and a fresh Nomura upgrade on Ashok Leyland add targeted sector momentum to today’s session.

Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, has flagged Hindustan Copper for intraday monitoring, citing the LME copper backwardation and a confirmed volume breakout above the 20-day moving average. Kunal Singla, Associate Director at Univest, has put ICICI Bank and Ashok Leyland on his intraday watchlist, citing Bank Nifty‘s technical recovery from 200-DMA support and Ashok Leyland’s post-upgrade price action as the primary triggers.

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What Are Intraday Stocks for Today?

Intraday stocks for today 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, clear stop losses, and disciplined exit execution. Analysts identify the best intraday stocks for today based on volume breakouts, RSI levels, support and resistance zones, and short-term news catalysts. The goal is to capture a defined move within the session, typically 2 to 5 percent, using a pre-set stop loss to limit downside. Today’s three picks are grounded in technical momentum and fresh fundamental triggers that make them among the most actionable intraday stocks for today in the large and mid-cap space on NSE.

Today’s Market Overview for 18 August 2026

• Nifty 50 closed at 24,362 on 17 August 2026, recovering 406 points from the intraday low of 23,956 as value buying emerged after five consecutive sessions of decline.
• The Nifty Metal index outperformed with a gain of over 3%, led by Hindustan Copper’s 7% surge on the widest LME copper spot-to-futures premium since the 2021 global squeeze.
• India VIX eased to 14.4 from 15.2, signalling a reduction in near-term fear; FII net sold Rs 850 Cr on 17 August while DII net bought Rs 1,240 Cr, providing a stabilising floor to the market.

The market setup described above forms the basis for selecting the intraday stocks for today listed below. Each pick has a defined target, a clearly set stop loss, and a technical or fundamental trigger that is active specifically for 18 August 2026.

Hindustan Copper (HINDCOPPER): Intraday Stock for Today 18 August 2026

Share Price Target: Rs 353  |  Stop Loss: Rs 328  |  CMP: Rs 338.50  |  Market Cap: Rs 9,840 Cr

Hindustan Copper‘s intraday setup on 18 August is anchored by a confirmed volume breakout above the 20-day moving average at Rs 329. The RSI stands at 65, in bullish territory, with room before overbought levels are reached. Ankit Jaiswal has flagged HINDCOPPER for intraday monitoring, noting the LME copper spot premium remaining in extreme backwardation as a key catalyst for continuation momentum in today’s session.

Yesterday’s 7% gain was backed by volume of 4.2 times the 30-day daily average, confirming institutional participation. With LME spot copper last quoted at $518.50 per tonne above the 3-month futures, the tightest gap since 2021, the physical supply premium supports further upside for HINDCOPPER in today’s session. Among the intraday stocks for today, Hindustan Copper carries the strongest commodity catalyst.

ICICI Bank (ICICIBANK): Intraday Stock for Today 18 August 2026

Share Price Target: Rs 1,318  |  Stop Loss: Rs 1,268  |  CMP: Rs 1,286  |  Market Cap: Rs 9,06,000 Cr

ICICI Bank‘s intraday case rests on a technical bounce from the 200-day moving average at Rs 1,271, which held as strong support on 17 August as the Nifty recovered. The RSI at 58 leaves meaningful room for upside within the session. Kunal Singla has flagged ICICIBANK for his intraday watchlist, observing that Bank Nifty’s recovery above 51,800 is likely to carry ICICI Bank’s momentum into the first half of today’s session.

As the largest private sector bank by market capitalisation on NSE, ICICI Bank offers high liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads, making it a reliable vehicle during market recoveries. Bank Nifty closed at 51,920 on 17 August, up 520 points from its intraday low, and this technical setup supports a positive carry into today’s opening. ICICIBANK stands out among the intraday stocks for today for its depth and low slippage risk.

Before entering any of today’s intraday stocks for today, verify the live RSI, volume and moving average data on a screener to confirm the setups are still valid at the time of entry.

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Ashok Leyland (ASHOKLEY): Intraday Stock for Today 18 August 2026

Share Price Target: Rs 186  |  Stop Loss: Rs 173  |  CMP: Rs 178.40  |  Market Cap: Rs 52,400 Cr

Ashok Leyland‘s intraday case is built on fresh fundamental momentum following Nomura’s target upgrade to Rs 194 on 17 August 2026, which cited an intact MHCV demand upcycle and improving margins. The RSI at 62 indicates a stock with momentum but not at overbought levels. Ankit Jaiswal has flagged ASHOKLEY as a name to watch intraday, noting the breakout above Rs 176 on above-average volumes as a clear short-term bullish signal.

The Nifty Auto index recovered alongside the broader market on 17 August, and MHCV peer stocks saw sustained buying interest through the session. With Nomura’s revised target at Rs 194 implying 8.7% upside from yesterday’s close, the fresh analyst catalyst makes ASHOKLEY one of the intraday stocks for today with the clearest fundamental directional anchor.

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Intraday Trading Strategy for Today’s Session

Executing trades in the intraday stocks for today listed above requires a disciplined approach. The four rules below apply specifically to the 18 August 2026 session and to the three picks covered in this article.

1. Entry Timing

Focus on the 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM opening volatility window for initial price discovery, then consider fresh entries after 10:00 AM once the opening move has settled and a clear directional bias is established. Avoid chasing stocks that have already moved 3 percent or more from the open.

2. Position Sizing

Limit each intraday position to no more than 5% of your total trading capital. Higher leverage amplifies losses as quickly as gains, and controlled position sizing is the first line of risk management across all intraday stocks for today, not just the three highlighted here.

3. Stop Loss Discipline

Honor the stop losses for each stock: HINDCOPPER at Rs 328, ICICIBANK at Rs 1,268, and ASHOKLEY at Rs 173. A sustained move below any of these levels signals the setup has failed and the position should be exited without delay. Do not average down on intraday positions.

4. Square Off Before 3:00 PM

Avoid holding positions into the final 30 minutes of the session. Closing-hour volatility can erode intraday gains quickly. Use 3:00 PM as a hard exit time if targets have not been triggered, and treat every trade as a best intraday tips today exercise in discipline over prediction.

Risks of Intraday Trading Today

Every session carries risk, and the intraday stocks for today listed above are no exception. Understanding these risks before entering any position is as important as knowing the target price.

• Gap Risk: Despite yesterday’s recovery, overnight global cues including US market performance and crude oil moves can cause a gapped opening that bypasses stop losses and increases entry slippage beyond acceptable levels.
• Volume Risk: Intraday trades depend on adequate liquidity. Low-volume windows around 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM can widen bid-ask spreads, particularly on smaller counters, and make exits at target prices difficult to execute cleanly.
• Carry Risk: All three intraday stocks for today picks are session-specific. Do not carry any position overnight, as the technical and fundamental catalysts cited are specific to 18 August 2026’s trading conditions and may not hold beyond the session.

Conclusion

Hindustan Copper, ICICI Bank and Ashok Leyland are the best intraday stocks for today on 18 August 2026 and also rank among the best intraday stocks to buy today, selected from a market in an early technical recovery phase. Ankit Jaiswal’s flag on HINDCOPPER is anchored to the LME copper backwardation story and the high-volume breakout on 17 August. Kunal Singla’s watchlist entry for ICICIBANK reflects Bank Nifty’s bounce from 200-DMA support and the private banking sector’s resilience during the broader recovery. Ashok Leyland rounds out the list with a fresh Nomura upgrade providing directional clarity for the session. Respect the stop losses, stay within today’s session, and consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before executing any intraday trade.

Frequently Asked Questions: Intraday Stocks for Today 18 August 2026

What are the best intraday stocks for today on 18 August 2026?

Ans. Hindustan Copper (HINDCOPPER), ICICI Bank (ICICIBANK) and Ashok Leyland (ASHOKLEY) are the best intraday stocks for today on 18 August 2026. HINDCOPPER targets Rs 353 with a stop loss at Rs 328, ICICIBANK targets Rs 1,318 with a stop at Rs 1,268, and ASHOKLEY targets Rs 186 with a stop at Rs 173. These stocks were identified based on volume breakouts, RSI momentum and fresh fundamental catalysts specific to today’s trading session.

Which Univest analysts picked today’s intraday stocks for today?

Ans. Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, flagged Hindustan Copper and Ashok Leyland based on confirmed volume breakouts and technical momentum from 17 August. Kunal Singla, Associate Director at Univest, identified ICICI Bank based on Bank Nifty’s recovery from 200-DMA support. Both analysts use watch and flag language consistent with SEBI research analyst guidelines, and their selections are for educational and monitoring reference only.

What stop loss levels apply to today’s intraday picks?

Ans. The stop losses for the intraday stocks for today are Rs 328 for Hindustan Copper, Rs 1,268 for ICICI Bank and Rs 173 for Ashok Leyland. Each stop loss is placed just below a key technical support level to limit losses if the intraday setup fails. All positions should be squared off before 3:30 PM IST regardless of whether the target or stop loss has been triggered.

Why is Hindustan Copper an intraday stock to watch today?

Ans. Hindustan Copper qualifies among the intraday stocks for today because of its confirmed volume breakout above the 20-day moving average on 17 August, backed by volume of 4.2 times the 30-day daily average. The LME copper spot-to-futures premium remains at the widest level since 2021, providing a strong fundamental anchor. The RSI at 65 is bullish but not overbought, giving the stock room to extend toward Rs 353 in today’s session.

How should I use these intraday stocks for today?

Ans. These picks are for educational and monitoring purposes only and do not constitute investment advice. Use the targets and stop losses as reference levels within your own risk management framework. Always verify live prices on NSE (nseindia.com) or BSE (bseindia.com), set stop losses before entering any position, and square off all intraday positions before 3:30 PM IST. Consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before making any investment decision.