Intraday Stocks for Today: Tech Mahindra, Hindalco and ICICI Bank – Analyst Top Picks 21 May 2026

The intraday stocks for today on 21 May 2026 are identified against a constructive pre-market backdrop: the Nifty 50 closed at 23,659 on 20 May 2026 after recovering sharply from an early gap-down low of 23,397, forming a bullish engulfing candle on the daily chart. GIFT Nifty on 20 May evening traded at 23,841, up 0.83 percent, signalling a positive gap-up open for today. Key resistance sits at 23,938 to 24,116. Support is at 23,362 to 23,184. Today is also Thursday, which is weekly Nifty options expiry day, adding afternoon volatility.

Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, and Kunal Singla, Associate Director at Univest, have identified three intraday stocks for today by applying three filters: a direct session-specific catalyst, sufficient NSE daily liquidity for clean entry and exit, and a technically defined entry zone with a clearly placed stop loss. Today’s intraday stocks for today are Tech Mahindra (IT sector continuation play), Hindalco (pre-board-meeting metals momentum, board meets 22 May) and ICICI Bank (FII-backed large-cap private banking strength at corrected entry levels). All prices verified from Univest live data today.

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What Are Intraday Stocks for Today?

Intraday stocks for today are equities that traders buy and sell within the same NSE or BSE trading session between 9:15 AM and 3:30 PM IST. No position is carried overnight. The best intraday stocks for today are selected on three criteria: high NSE daily liquidity (turnover above Rs 100 crore), a clear technical entry and exit structure, and a session-specific catalyst such as Q4 results momentum, board meeting news or sector rotation. India VIX near 17 to 18 means strict stop-loss discipline is essential for all intraday stocks for today.

Today’s Market Overview

• Nifty Direction (21 May): GIFT Nifty at 23,841 (+0.83%) signals gap-up open. Nifty 20 May closed at 23,659 after recovering from a 23,397 intraday low. Bullish engulfing candle on daily. Resistance: 23,938 to 24,116. Support: 23,362.
• Key Sector: IT is the dominant intraday theme today — Nifty IT‘s 8% three-session rally (15, 18, 20 May) driven by rupee at Rs 96.17 record low (dollar revenue tailwind), TCS AI client data and STT cut news. IT momentum is the cleanest sector trend heading into today.
• India VIX and FII: India VIX near 17 to 18. FIIs bought for four consecutive sessions ending 20 May. Rs 2,813.69 crore net bought on 18 May. Thursday weekly expiry adds afternoon volatility to all intraday stocks for today — reduce positions after 2:00 PM.

Track all intraday stocks for today live prices and NSE levels on the Check the Univest Screener for live data.

Tech Mahindra (NSE: TECHM) — Intraday Stock for Today

20 May Close: Rs 1,439 (Open Rs 1,453.60, High Rs 1,476.50, Low Rs 1,434.70, Prev Close Rs 1,467.10, -1.92%) | Target: Rs 1,480 to Rs 1,500 | Stop Loss: Rs 1,415 | 52W High: Rs 1,854 | Lower Circuit: Rs 1,320.40

Tech Mahindra is the top intraday stock for today on IT sector continuation momentum. TechM closed 20 May at Rs 1,439, down 1.92 percent from the 19 May close of Rs 1,467.10. The stock opened at Rs 1,453.60, hit a high of Rs 1,476.50 in the morning before sellers emerged, and the stock drifted to close at Rs 1,439. Ankit Jaiswal notes that despite the day’s pullback, TechM remains in the IT sector’s confirmed uptrend and the 20 May morning high of Rs 1,476 confirms demand at higher levels. The Q4 FY26 results catalyst is already in — PAT Rs 1,353.80 crore (+16% YoY), FY26 full year PAT Rs 4,810.90 crore (+13.16%), board declared Rs 28 dividend per share for FY26.

Kunal Singla highlights the 50-DMA at Rs 1,409 as the key level — today’s CMP of Rs 1,451 is already above this. For 21 May, the intraday setup is to buy on any opening dip toward Rs 1,430 to Rs 1,445 and target Rs 1,480 to Rs 1,500. The stop loss at Rs 1,415 is below the 20 May close of Rs 1,439 and above the lower circuit of Rs 1,320.40. Do not hold TECHM beyond 3:15 PM on weekly expiry day.

Hindalco Industries (NSE: HINDALCO) — Intraday Stock for Today

20 May Close: Rs 1,085 (Open Rs 1,038.40, High Rs 1,090, Low Rs 1,038.40, Prev Close Rs 1,048.30, +3.55%) | Target: Rs 1,110 to Rs 1,125 | Stop Loss: Rs 1,055 | 52W High: Rs 1,090 intraday | Upper Circuit: Rs 1,153.10

Hindalco is the metals intraday stock for today with its board meeting on 22 May 2026 for Q4 FY26 India results providing the clear pre-announcement catalyst. Hindalco closed 20 May at approximately Rs 1,085, up 3.55 percent from the 19 May close of Rs 1,048.30. The stock opened at Rs 1,038.40 (gap-down), immediately reversed to hit a high of Rs 1,090, and held gains through the session. Ankit Jaiswal notes that Hindalco’s intraday high of Rs 1,090 is now the key resistance for 21 May. The intraday trade today is driven by investors accumulating ahead of tomorrow’s Q4 India results, which analysts project at PAT of Rs 3,800 to Rs 4,300 crore.

Kunal Singla adds that HSBC maintains Buy on Hindalco with a target of Rs 1,310 and JPMorgan has an Overweight rating with a target of Rs 1,175. The Oswego hot mill restart is confirmed as ahead of schedule per analyst notes, removing the single largest Novelis headwind. For 21 May, entry zone is Rs 1,070 to Rs 1,085 on any opening pullback from yesterday’s Rs 1,090 high. Target Rs 1,110 to Rs 1,125 (above Rs 1,090 upper bound). Stop loss Rs 1,055 is below 20 May’s support zone. The upper circuit at Rs 1,153.10 and board meeting tomorrow (22 May) provide the upside catalyst.

ICICI Bank (NSE: ICICIBANK) — Intraday Stock for Today

20 May Close: Rs 1,237 (Open Rs 1,230, High Rs 1,239.70, Low Rs 1,223.30, Prev Close Rs 1,240.80, -0.28%) | Target: Rs 1,260 to Rs 1,275 | Stop Loss: Rs 1,218 | Upper Circuit: Rs 1,364.80 | Lower Circuit: Rs 1,116.80

ICICI Bank is the banking intraday stock for today at an entry level of Rs 1,237 — the 20 May close — which is the first pullback from recent highs. ICICI Bank closed 20 May at Rs 1,237, barely changed from the Rs 1,240.80 previous close (-0.28%). The stock opened at Rs 1,230, hit a high of Rs 1,239.70 and traded in a tight Rs 16 intraday range all session. Ankit Jaiswal notes this tight range consolidation after strong Q4 FY26 results (PAT Rs 14,755 crore, +9.28% YoY) and Rs 12 dividend for FY26 suggests the stock is coiling for a directional break on 21 May.

Kunal Singla notes that ICICI Bank’s upper circuit is Rs 1,364.80 — a tight range with the 20 May close at Rs 1,237 provides the intraday setup to target Rs 1,260 to Rs 1,275 on any opening strength. The Thursday weekly Nifty Bank expiry adds volumes. Stop loss at Rs 1,218 is below the 20 May low of Rs 1,223.30. Analyst consensus target is Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,700 over 12 months.

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Intraday Trading Strategy for Today

• No entry in first 15 minutes: Do not enter any of the intraday stocks for today between 9:15 AM and 9:30 AM. Wait for the opening gap to settle and the first 15-minute candle to confirm direction.
• Use GIFT Nifty signal: GIFT Nifty at 23,841 supports a gap-up open near 23,750 to 23,800. If the Nifty opens strong and immediately starts fading, reduce position size on all intraday stocks for today.
• Weekly expiry discipline: Thursday is Nifty weekly options expiry. Volatility increases between 12:00 PM and 3:30 PM as option writers square positions. Use a trailing stop loss on all intraday stocks for today after 2:00 PM.
• Square off by 3:15 PM: Exit all intraday positions before 3:15 PM. Do not hold through the last 15 minutes on weekly expiry day.

Risks of Intraday Trading Today

• India VIX at 17 to 18: Elevated VIX means all intraday stocks for today can move sharply against the setup. Stop losses must be strictly followed. Never average down on a losing intraday position.
• Weekly Expiry Volatility: ICICI Bank and Hindalco are both Nifty 50 and Nifty Bank constituents, exposing them to index-driven expiry swings in the afternoon. Be particularly cautious between 2:30 PM and 3:30 PM.
• Geopolitical and Crude Risk: Any fresh Iran-US escalation or crude spike above Rs 115 per barrel can trigger sudden risk-off and override all technical setups for the intraday stocks for today.

Conclusion

The best intraday stocks to buy today on 21 May 2026 per Ankit Jaiswal and Kunal Singla of Univest are Tech Mahindra (20 May close Rs 1,439, target Rs 1,480-1,500, SL Rs 1,415), Hindalco (20 May close Rs 1,085, target Rs 1,110-1,125, SL Rs 1,055) and ICICI Bank (20 May close Rs 1,237, target Rs 1,260-1,275, SL Rs 1,218). GIFT Nifty at 23,841 supports a positive opening. IT sector continuation, pre-board-meeting Hindalco accumulation and FII-backed ICICI Bank entry at 6.5 percent below its 52-week high are today’s three themes. Apply strict stop losses, skip the first 15 minutes and square off all intraday stocks for today before 3:15 PM. These are watchlist picks, not buy or sell recommendations. Consult a SEBI-registered advisor before trading.

Disclaimer: Investment in the share market is subject to risk. This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Verify all numbers before investing. Consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making investment decisions.

FAQs on Intraday Stocks for Today 21 May 2026

Which are the best intraday stocks for today on 21 May 2026?

Ans. The intraday stocks for today per Ankit Jaiswal and Kunal Singla of Univest are Tech Mahindra (20 May close Rs 1,439, target Rs 1,480-1,500, SL Rs 1,415), Hindalco (20 May close Rs 1,085, target Rs 1,110-1,125, SL Rs 1,055) and ICICI Bank (20 May close Rs 1,237, target Rs 1,260-1,275, SL Rs 1,218). All closing prices verified from today’s charts. Watchlist picks only.

What is the Nifty outlook for intraday trading on 21 May 2026?

Ans. Nifty closed at 23,659 on 20 May after recovering from a gap-down low of 23,397. GIFT Nifty at 23,841 (+0.83%) signals a gap-up open. Today’s resistance is 23,938 to 24,116. Support at 23,362. Today is Thursday weekly Nifty options expiry, which adds afternoon volatility for all intraday stocks for today.

Why is Tech Mahindra among the intraday stocks for today?

Ans. Tech Mahindra is among the intraday stocks for today because of the Nifty IT eight percent three-session rally driven by the rupee’s record low of Rs 96.17 (dollar revenue tailwind), Q4 FY26 PAT growth of 16% and GIFT Nifty positive open signal. The 50-DMA at Rs 1,409 was reclaimed on 20 May. Entry zone Rs 1,430 to Rs 1,445, target Rs 1,480-1,500, SL Rs 1,415.

What is Hindalco’s board meeting date and why does it matter for intraday trading today?

Ans. Hindalco’s board meets on 22 May 2026 to consider Q4 FY26 India results. This creates a pre-announcement accumulation catalyst for today (21 May). Analysts project Q4 FY26 PAT of Rs 3,800 to Rs 4,300 crore. HSBC has a Buy with target Rs 1,310. The intraday entry zone for 21 May is Rs 1,070 to Rs 1,085.

What time should I exit the intraday stocks for today?

Ans. Exit all intraday stocks for today before 3:15 PM IST. Since 21 May is weekly Nifty options expiry (Thursday), the last 30 minutes between 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM are particularly volatile. Activate a trailing stop loss on all intraday positions after 2:00 PM.