Nifty Bank Today Rises 0.37% to 57,708.60: Opening Bell Update

At the opening bell on 21 August 2026, Nifty Bank was the second top gaining sector index among the configured sector indices. The index was up 212.70 points, or 0.37%, at 57,708.60 as of 10:00:00 AM IST. This early-session update on nifty bank today tracks the index range, participation and the banking shares shaping the move.

Quick sector takeaways

• Nifty Bank gained 0.37% to 57,708.60, compared with its previous close of 57,495.90.
• The index traded between 57,481.55 and 57,772.45 during the session so far, placing the last traded level close to the day’s high.
• Breadth was positive: 10 of 14 displayed banking stocks advanced, while four declined.
• Kotak Mahindra Bank, AU Small Finance Bank and HDFC Bank led the gainers; Punjab National Bank and IndusInd Bank were among the weaker stocks. Watch whether broad participation remains intact through the session.

Nifty Bank today: early-session strength

Nifty Bank today opened at 57,613.20 and moved higher to trade at 57,708.60 by 10:00:00 AM IST. The 212.70-point rise from the previous close of 57,495.90 reflects a positive start for the banking index. The index also stayed above its previous closing level despite an intraday low of 57,481.55.

The move is notable because it combines an index gain with positive participation across the displayed banking shares. The current level was 63.85 points below the day high of 57,772.45, indicating that the index was trading in the upper part of its opening-session range. This is an observation of the price position, rather than a forecast for the rest of the day.

Price snapshot

Metric	Level	Session reading
Last traded price	57,708.60	Up 212.70 points
Previous close	57,495.90	Base for the day’s change
Day high	57,772.45	Highest level so far
Day low	57,481.55	Lowest level so far
Day open	57,613.20	Above the previous close

The day’s range so far spans 290.90 points between the high and low. From the opening level, Nifty Bank added 95.40 points to reach its last traded price. Its intraday low briefly slipped 14.35 points below the previous close, before the index moved back into positive territory.

Sector ranking

Nifty Bank ranked as the second top gaining sector index in the configured sector-index universe at this reading. Nifty Metal was the leading gainer, up 0.93%, while Nifty Bank followed with a 0.37% advance. Nifty Financial Services rose 0.30%, placing it behind the banking index.

This ranking places banking among the stronger pockets of the available sector set in the early session. The remaining configured indices were mixed to lower, with Nifty Mid Select down 0.29%, Nifty Pharma down 0.36%, Nifty Auto down 0.37%, Nifty IT down 0.38% and Nifty FMCG down 0.63%.

Constituent breadth

The positive index move was accompanied by constructive breadth. Of the 14 displayed stocks in the index, 10 advanced and four declined, producing an advance-decline ratio of 2.5. There were no unchanged stocks in the displayed set.

That distribution matters because the index’s gain was not confined to a single advancing share. Gains were visible across private banks, public-sector banks and smaller banking names, although the four decliners show that the move was not uniform. Investors tracking the Nifty Bank screener can follow how this breadth changes as the session develops.

Heavyweights versus broader participation

The supplied heavyweight basket was positive overall. HDFC Bank rose 0.74% to ₹730.40, while ICICI Bank gained 0.25% to ₹1,415.40 and State Bank of India added 0.35% to ₹1,051.70. Kotak Mahindra Bank was the strongest among these names, advancing 1.66% to ₹403.95. Axis Bank was marginally higher by 0.10% at ₹1,252.20.

The same group also features in the supplied active-stock list, keeping attention on the larger banking names while the broader advance remains positive. The combination of gains in HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India and Kotak Mahindra Bank aligns with the index’s early strength, while advances in several other constituents add breadth to the picture.

Key Nifty Bank stocks

Stock	Move	Why it matters
Kotak Mahindra Bank	+1.66% to ₹403.95	Strongest displayed gainer and a heavyweight participant.
AU Small Finance Bank	+0.75% to ₹1,096.20	Second-largest percentage gain among the listed gainers.
HDFC Bank	+0.74% to ₹730.40	Its gain supports the positive heavyweight reading.
Punjab National Bank	-1.45% to ₹116.29	Largest percentage decline in the displayed set.
IndusInd Bank	-0.57% to ₹1,002.30	A weaker private-bank counter despite the index advance.

Biggest positive movers

Kotak Mahindra Bank led the advance, gaining 1.66% after trading between ₹398.30 and ₹406.00. AU Small Finance Bank followed with a 0.75% rise to ₹1,096.20, close to its day high of ₹1,097.30. HDFC Bank added 0.74%, while Federal Bank gained 0.52% to ₹357.15. State Bank of India rose 0.35%.

Other positive contributors included Yes Bank, up 0.31%; ICICI Bank, up 0.25%; Canara Bank, up 0.17%; Axis Bank, up 0.10%; and IDFC First Bank, up 0.02%. The spread of gains supports the positive breadth count.

Biggest negative movers

Punjab National Bank was the largest displayed decliner, down 1.45% to ₹116.29. Its session range was ₹115.41 to ₹117.52. IndusInd Bank fell 0.57% to ₹1,002.30 after moving between ₹997.00 and ₹1,007.80.

Union Bank of India declined 0.18% to ₹184.34, while Bank of Baroda was lower by 0.12% at ₹244.20. These declines limited, but did not reverse, the broader positive tone indicated by the 10 advancing stocks.

Stocks to watch next session

• Kotak Mahindra Bank: Up 1.66% and the strongest displayed gainer.
• AU Small Finance Bank: Up 0.75% and trading near its intraday high.
• HDFC Bank: Up 0.74%, with relevance within the supplied heavyweight basket.
• ICICI Bank: Up 0.25% after trading in a ₹1,411.20–₹1,418.00 range.
• Punjab National Bank: Down 1.45%, the largest displayed faller.
• IndusInd Bank: Down 0.57%, contrasting with the positive broader index move.

The constructive case

The constructive evidence is clear in the opening data: Nifty Bank was higher by 0.37%, traded above its previous close, and was positioned close to the day high at 10:00:00 AM IST. Positive breadth was also substantial, with 10 gainers against four decliners.

Heavyweight participation added to that constructive setup. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, State Bank of India, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Axis Bank were all in positive territory. The advance also extended to AU Small Finance Bank, Federal Bank, Yes Bank, Canara Bank and IDFC First Bank.

The cautious case

The index remained below its day high of 57,772.45 at the latest reading, so the early advance had not eliminated intraday variation. The day low of 57,481.55 also shows that Nifty Bank moved below the previous close earlier in the session before recovering.

Stock-level performance was mixed despite the favourable breadth. Punjab National Bank, IndusInd Bank, Union Bank of India and Bank of Baroda were lower. Tracking whether the current gainers retain their advances and whether the decliners narrow their losses will help define the session’s evolving balance.

Univest Insights

Nifty Bank today presents an early-session picture of measured index strength rather than a one-stock move. Its 0.37% gain and position near the session high are matched by a 10-to-4 advantage for advancing stocks.

The heavyweight reading is especially relevant: Kotak Mahindra Bank led the supplied heavyweight group, while HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and State Bank of India also traded higher. This places key banking names on the positive side of the opening-bell move.

At the same time, the decline in Punjab National Bank and IndusInd Bank keeps the sector view nuanced. The index is higher, but individual banking shares are responding differently within the same session.

Follow the Univest Market View for market updates and the Nifty Bank screener for live sector tracking. For traders and investors, the key signal to watch is…

Published on 21 August 2026 at 10:01 AM IST

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Frequently asked questions

What is Nifty Bank today?

At 10:00:00 AM IST on 21 August 2026, Nifty Bank was at 57,708.60, up 212.70 points or 0.37% from its previous close.

What was the previous close for Nifty Bank?

Nifty Bank closed previously at 57,495.90.

What was Nifty Bank’s intraday range?

The index traded between 57,481.55 and 57,772.45 in the session so far.

Why is Nifty Bank among the top sector gainers?

Nifty Bank was the second top gaining configured sector index, with a 0.37% advance. Nifty Metal ranked first at 0.93%.

How was the breadth in Nifty Bank stocks?

Among 14 displayed stocks, 10 advanced and four declined, with no unchanged stocks.

Which Nifty Bank stocks were the biggest movers?

Kotak Mahindra Bank was the top displayed gainer, up 1.66%, while Punjab National Bank was the top displayed decliner, down 1.45%.

Disclaimer

Investments in securities markets are subject to market risks. Read all related documents carefully before investing. This sector-index update is for informational and educational purposes only and is not personalized investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security.