Intraday Stocks for Today: Axis Bank, Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank, Analyst Top Picks 19 August 2026

The best intraday stocks for today on 19 August 2026 come from a market that closed marginally lower on 18 August, with the Nifty 50 declining 0.50% to 24,166.35 while the Bank Nifty proved resilient, falling just 0.33% to 57,308.15. IT sector weakness from Infosys (-2.29%) and TCS (-1.26%) drove the broader index lower, but banking stocks showed selective strength. India VIX at 11.38 signals a calm environment for today's intraday stocks session.

Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, has flagged Axis Bank and Reliance Industries as the intraday stocks for today, citing Axis Bank's relative outperformance on 18 August and Reliance's defensive support structure. Kunal Singla, Associate Director at Univest, has put ICICI Bank on his intraday watchlist for today, noting that Bank Nifty's relative strength and ICICI Bank's positioning above the 57,200 support create a constructive setup for 19 August's session.

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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 catalysts. Today's three picks are anchored in the technical setups visible at the 18 August close and are actionable for the 19 August morning session.

Today's Market Overview for 19 August 2026

• Nifty 50 closed at 24,166.35 on 18 August 2026, down 0.50%, as IT sector selling in Infosys (-2.29%) and TCS (-1.26%) weighed on the index; support levels at 24,100-24,150 held through the session.
• Bank Nifty outperformed the broader market, closing at 57,308.15 (-0.33%), with Axis Bank (+1.44%) providing the most significant positive contribution among banking heavyweights for today's intraday stocks session.
• India VIX closed at 11.38, a very low level indicating muted fear in the options market, which historically provides a supportive environment for intraday momentum trades.

Axis Bank (AXISBANK): Intraday Stock for Today 19 August 2026

Share Price Target: Rs 1,036  |  Stop Loss: Rs 1,010  |  CMP: Rs 1,022  |  Market Cap: Rs 3,14,800 Cr

Axis Bank's intraday setup for 19 August is the strongest among today's three intraday stocks for today picks, anchored by a confirmed breakout above the 20-day moving average on 18 August when the broader market declined. The RSI stands at 62, in bullish territory with room before overbought levels. Ankit Jaiswal has flagged AXISBANK as the lead intraday stock for today, noting that buying in a falling market session represents institutional accumulation that typically extends in the following session.

Axis Bank's 1.44% gain on 18 August on above-average volumes confirms that smart money was active in the stock even as the IT sector sold off and dragged the Nifty lower. Among the intraday stocks for today, AXISBANK carries the most decisive momentum setup heading into 19 August's session.

Reliance Industries (RELIANCE): Intraday Stock for Today 19 August 2026

Share Price Target: Rs 1,508  |  Stop Loss: Rs 1,470  |  CMP: Rs 1,488  |  Market Cap: Rs 10,07,000 Cr

Reliance Industries's intraday case for 19 August rests on its defensive momentum: the stock gained 0.40% on 18 August even as the Nifty fell 0.50%, indicating that the stock is holding its 100-day moving average support. The RSI at 55 leaves meaningful room for upside within today's session. Ankit Jaiswal has flagged RELIANCE as a secondary intraday stock for today, noting that Reliance's conglomerate structure and diversified businesses across energy, retail, and telecom provide fundamental support that keeps the stock bid on market weakness days.

As India's largest company by market capitalisation at Rs 10,07,000 crore, Reliance Industries offers high liquidity and tight bid-ask spreads, making it a reliable intraday vehicle. The stock's resilience on 18 August validates its inclusion as one of the intraday stocks for today for the 19 August session.

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ICICI Bank (ICICIBANK): Intraday Stock for Today 19 August 2026

Share Price Target: Rs 1,296  |  Stop Loss: Rs 1,258  |  CMP: Rs 1,276  |  Market Cap: Rs 9,00,000 Cr

ICICI Bank's intraday setup for 19 August is supported by Bank Nifty's relative outperformance on 18 August (-0.33% versus Nifty's -0.50%). The RSI at 56 signals balanced momentum with scope for upside. Kunal Singla has flagged ICICIBANK for his intraday watchlist, noting that the Bank Nifty holding the 57,200-57,250 support zone on 18 August creates a constructive base for banking names to recover in today's session. Among the intraday stocks for today, ICICI Bank represents the banking sector recovery play.

ICICI Bank's liquidity as one of the most actively traded large-cap stocks on NSE makes it a core holding for intraday traders when the banking sector shows relative strength. The Bank Nifty support at 57,200 held on 18 August, and if that level holds again today, ICICI Bank is well-positioned to deliver toward the Rs 1,296 target.

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Intraday Trading Strategy for Today's Session

1. Entry Timing

Focus on the 9:15 AM to 9:45 AM window for initial price discovery on the intraday stocks for today. After the opening volatility settles, consider fresh entries after 10:00 AM when the session direction is clearer. Avoid chasing stocks that have already moved more than 1.5% from today's open before you enter.

2. Position Sizing

Limit each intraday position to no more than 5% of your total trading capital. The intraday stocks for today carry market risk regardless of the technical setup. Controlled sizing is the first line of defence and protects against unexpected gap-downs or news-driven reversals during the session.

3. Stop Loss Discipline

Honour the stop losses listed: AXISBANK at Rs 1,010, RELIANCE at Rs 1,470, and ICICIBANK at Rs 1,258. A sustained move below any of these levels signals that the intraday setup has failed and the position should be exited without hesitation. Do not average down on intraday positions.

4. Square Off Before 3:00 PM

Do not hold the intraday stocks for today into the final 30 minutes of the session. Closing-hour volatility can erase intraday gains quickly. Use 3:00 PM as a hard exit time if targets have not been triggered, treating every intraday trade as session-specific.

Risks of Intraday Trading Today

• Global Cue Risk: Despite the calm VIX at 11.38, overnight developments in the US markets, crude oil, or geopolitical news (particularly the ongoing US-Iran situation) can cause a gapped opening that bypasses stop losses for intraday stocks for today.
• IT Sector Overhang: Continued weakness in Infosys and TCS after yesterday's sharp declines can drag the broader Nifty lower even if banking stocks hold up. This creates index headwinds for the intraday stocks for today even if individual names are technically sound.
• Carry Risk: All three intraday stocks for today must be treated as session-specific. Do not carry AXISBANK, RELIANCE, or ICICIBANK overnight, as the technical and fundamental catalysts cited are specific to 19 August 2026's trading conditions.

Conclusion

Axis Bank, Reliance Industries and ICICI Bank are the best intraday stocks to buy today on 19 August 2026, selected from a market that showed selective strength in banking while IT stocks sold off on 18 August. Ankit Jaiswal's flag on AXISBANK is anchored to its breakout momentum and institutional buying visible in yesterday's session. Ankit Jaiswal also highlights RELIANCE as a defensive intraday stock for today given its resilience at 100-DMA support. Kunal Singla's watchlist entry for ICICIBANK reflects the Bank Nifty's relative strength and the banking sector's support structure. Respect the stop losses, trade within today's session only, and consult a SEBI-registered financial advisor before executing any intraday trade.

Frequently Asked Questions: Intraday Stocks for Today 19 August 2026

What are the best intraday stocks for today on 19 August 2026?

Ans. The best intraday stocks for today on 19 August 2026 are Axis Bank (AXISBANK), Reliance Industries (RELIANCE) and ICICI Bank (ICICIBANK). AXISBANK targets Rs 1,036 with a stop loss at Rs 1,010, RELIANCE targets Rs 1,508 with a stop loss at Rs 1,470, and ICICIBANK targets Rs 1,296 with a stop loss at Rs 1,258. These stocks were selected based on their technical setups, volume behaviour, and sector momentum as of the 18 August 2026 close.

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

Ans. Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, flagged Axis Bank and Reliance Industries as intraday stocks for today based on Axis Bank's breakout momentum from 18 August and Reliance's defensive support structure. Kunal Singla, Associate Director at Univest, identified ICICI Bank for his intraday watchlist citing the Bank Nifty's relative outperformance and ICICI Bank's positioning above key support. Both analysts use watch and flag language consistent with SEBI research analyst guidelines.

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

Ans. The stop losses for intraday stocks for today are Rs 1,010 for Axis Bank, Rs 1,470 for Reliance Industries and Rs 1,258 for ICICI Bank. 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 Axis Bank the top intraday stock for today?

Ans. Axis Bank qualifies as the top intraday stock for today on 19 August 2026 because it gained 1.44% on 18 August even as the broader Nifty 50 fell 0.50%. This relative outperformance signals institutional accumulation and a breakout above the 20-day moving average on above-average volumes. The RSI at 62 indicates bullish but not yet overbought momentum, leaving room to extend toward the Rs 1,036 intraday target.

How should I use these intraday stocks for today?

Ans. These intraday stocks for today 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.