Stocks to Buy Today 18 May 2026: Ankit Jaiswal of Univest Flags Astrazeneca Pharma, Suzlon Energy, Prism Johnson, Hindustan Zinc and Coal India

The stocks to buy today on 18 May 2026 are being identified in a market where Nifty faces resistance at 23,810 to 23,880, crude oil is above $111 per barrel and India VIX remains elevated. Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, has flagged five stocks to watch today combining pharma, renewable energy, cement, metals and PSU energy: Astrazeneca Pharma India, Suzlon Energy, Prism Johnson, Hindustan Zinc and Coal India.

Today’s stocks to buy today list is built around stocks with strong fundamentals, clear technical setups and sector tailwinds that hold up even in a sell-on-rise broader market environment. Each pick has a specific entry zone, target and stop-loss.

Market Context for Stocks to Buy Today on 18 May 2026

• Nifty Resistance: 23,810 (10-DMA) and 23,880 (20-DMA). Use any gap-up open to assess whether these levels hold.
• Nifty Support: 23,460 first. 23,275 to 23,330 second range.
• Crude Oil: Above $111 per barrel. Primary macro headwind. Favours stocks with pricing power.
• Rupee: Near 96 against the US dollar, all-time low territory. Pharma and energy exporters benefit.
• Silver Import Restrictions: New government measures support domestic silver prices and metals sector stocks.
• Broader stance: Sell on rise for the index. Individual stock counters are the right focus for the stocks to buy today watchlist.

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Stocks to Buy Today: Ankit Jaiswal’s 5 Picks for 18 May 2026

1. Astrazeneca Pharma India (NSE: ASTRAZEN) — Pharma Sector Leadership

CMP: Rs 8,350-8,376  |  52W High: Rs 10,691  |  52W Low: Rs 7,551.50  |  PE: 103x  |  Market Cap: Rs 20,800 crore

Astrazeneca Pharma India is among the stocks to buy today for its position within India’s leading pharma sector. The Nifty Pharma index hit a 52-week high in May 2026, and Astrazeneca is part of that sector momentum. The company operates in oncology, cardio-metabolism and respiratory therapy areas, partnering with Dr. Reddy’s and Sun Pharma for distribution of key molecules including Ticagrelor, Saxagliptin and Dapagliflozin.

Q3 FY26 net profit grew 5.64 percent year-on-year to Rs 32.59 crore. Revenue stood at Rs 611.57 crore for the nine-month period to December 2025. The stock is 21.9 percent below its 52-week high of Rs 10,691, offering a re-entry into a fundamentally strong pharma name that is less exposed to US generics pressure than its peers. The rupee near 96 has no negative impact on Astrazeneca as its Indian operations are rupee-denominated.

• Entry Zone: Rs 8,300 to Rs 8,400 on any intraday dip
• Target: Rs 8,700 to Rs 8,900 (3 to 6 weeks)
• Stop-Loss: Rs 8,100 on a weekly closing basis
• Catalyst: Pharma sector leadership + Nifty Pharma at 52-week high + rupee-neutral business model

2. Suzlon Energy (NSE: SUZLON) — Renewable Energy Structural Story

CMP: Rs 53.84  |  52W High: Rs 74.30  |  52W Low: Rs 38.19  |  PE: 23.71x  |  Market Cap: Rs 73,251 crore

Suzlon Energy features on the stocks to buy today list as India’s largest renewable energy solutions provider and a direct beneficiary of India’s accelerating wind and solar energy buildout. The government’s emphasis on reducing import dependence — including the PM’s push to reduce gold and silver imports to protect forex reserves — underscores the strategic importance of domestic energy self-sufficiency.

Suzlon reported Q3 FY26 net profit growth of 15.08 percent year-on-year to Rs 445.28 crore. FY26 full-year revenue reached Rs 10,993 crore with PAT of Rs 2,072 crore. The S144 flagship turbine, designed for Indian wind conditions, has secured over 5 GW in firm orders and accounts for 91 percent of Suzlon’s 5.6 GW order book. The stock’s 50-DMA is at Rs 49.34 and 200-DMA at Rs 51.66, both below the current price, confirming a bullish moving average structure.

• Entry Zone: Rs 51 to Rs 54 on any intraday dip toward the 200-DMA support
• Target: Rs 60 to Rs 65 (1 to 2 months)
• Stop-Loss: Rs 48 on a weekly closing basis (below 200-DMA)
• Catalyst: India wind energy expansion + 5.6 GW order book + policy push for domestic energy independence

3. Prism Johnson (NSE: PRSMJOHNSN) — Cement and Building Materials Turnaround

CMP: Rs 125-127  |  52W High: Rs 176  |  52W Low: Rs 117.32  |  Market Cap: Rs 6,390-6,410 crore  |  Promoter Holding: 74.87%

Prism Johnson makes the stocks to buy today list as a building materials company that has demonstrated a sharp Q2 FY26 turnaround. Q2 FY26 net profit was Rs 2.81 crore compared to a loss of Rs 89.79 crore in Q2 FY25. Revenue grew 12.92 percent year-on-year to Rs 1,826.75 crore. EBITDA surged to Rs 1.4 billion from Rs 524 million year-on-year, with EBITDA margin expanding from 2.9 percent to 7.6 percent.

Prism Johnson’s three business segments — Prism Cement (Central India presence, key markets UP, MP and Bihar), HRJ tiles and bath products, and Prism RMC (ready-mix concrete) — are all seeing demand recovery with India’s infrastructure spending cycle. The stock is 27 percent below its 52-week high of Rs 176, offering a correction-based entry into a promoter-controlled company (74.87 percent promoter holding) with high-conviction management skin in the game.

• Entry Zone: Rs 123 to Rs 128 near 52-week support zone
• Target: Rs 145 to Rs 155 (1 to 3 months)
• Stop-Loss: Rs 115 on a weekly closing basis
• Catalyst: EBITDA margin expansion + infrastructure sector demand + promoter holding 74.87%

4. Hindustan Zinc (NSE: HINDZINC) — Silver Import Duty Direct Beneficiary

CMP: Rs 670-680  |  52W High: Rs 807.50  |  52W Low: Rs 471.70  |  PE: 12.1x  |  Dividend Yield: ~5%

Hindustan Zinc is the standout addition to the stocks to buy today watchlist for 18 May 2026. The Government of India has announced fresh silver import restrictions, building on the 15 percent import duty hike from 13 May 2026. Hindustan Zinc is India’s largest silver producer and the world’s third-largest integrated zinc producer. Every domestic silver price increase from the duty and import restriction regime translates directly into higher revenue and margin for Hindustan Zinc at zero additional production cost.

The stock was in confirmed long buildup in the Univest Daily Derivatives Intelligence data, with OI rising 9.52 percent alongside a 3.33 percent price gain on May 14, 2026. At 12.1x PE with a dividend yield of approximately 5 percent, Hindustan Zinc offers exceptional value for a company with a structural precious metals catalyst. Ankit Jaiswal’s metals-for-2026 thesis makes Hindustan Zinc a core portfolio hold, not just an intraday trade.

• Entry Zone: Rs 660 to Rs 680 on dips
• Target: Rs 720 to Rs 750 (1 to 2 months)
• Stop-Loss: Rs 635 on a weekly closing basis
• Catalyst: Fresh silver import restrictions + 15% import duty + metals sector long buildup confirmed in OI data

5. Coal India (NSE: COALINDIA) — PSU Value With Crude Oil Tailwind

CMP: Rs 464  |  52W High: Rs 491.25  |  52W Low: Rs 368.65  |  PE: 9.20x  |  Dividend Yield: ~4.7%

Coal India rounds out the stocks to buy today watchlist as a PSU value play that gets an unexpected tailwind when crude oil is above $111 per barrel. At crude above $100, gas-to-coal switching in power generation becomes uneconomical. This structurally increases demand for Coal India’s domestic supply to thermal power plants, which is Coal India’s dominant revenue stream.

Coal India produced a record 781 million tonnes in FY25 and commands a near-monopoly on India’s domestic coal supply. At 9.20x PE with a 4.7 percent forward dividend yield, it is among the most undervalued large-cap PSUs on NSE. The stock is trading above both its 50-DMA and 200-DMA and is just 5.8 percent below its 52-week high of Rs 491.25. A breakout above Rs 480 on volume would open targets of Rs 510 to Rs 530.

• Entry Zone: Rs 455 to Rs 470 on any intraday dip
• Target: Rs 490 to Rs 510 (2 to 4 weeks)
• Stop-Loss: Rs 445 on a weekly closing basis
• Catalyst: Crude above $111 → coal demand structural tailwind + 52-week high proximity + dividend yield 4.7%

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Risk Factors for Stocks to Buy Today on 18 May 2026

• Sell on Rise Market: Nifty remains in sell-on-rise mode. Take profits near resistance. Do not hold these stocks to buy today through intraday resistance without a volume breakout signal.
• Crude Above $111: Any further spike would create fresh market-wide selling. Reduce position sizes on all stocks to buy today if Brent crosses $115.
• Rupee Weakness: While beneficial for pharma, a rupee weakening past 97 would trigger FII outflows that could override even strong individual stock setups.
• VIX Elevated: Use 50 percent of normal position size given elevated VIX. Set stop-losses before entering any stocks to buy today.

Conclusion: Stocks to Buy Today from Ankit Jaiswal and Univest Research

Today’s stocks to buy today on 18 May 2026 from Ankit Jaiswal of Univest are Astrazeneca Pharma India, Suzlon Energy, Prism Johnson, Hindustan Zinc and Coal India. Each has a defined entry zone, target and stop-loss. The macro backdrop of crude at $111 and rupee near 96 is challenging for the index but creates specific sector opportunities — pharma for rupee-neutral exposure, renewable energy for structural order book strength, cement for infrastructure demand, and metals and coal for structural commodity tailwinds. Track all five stocks to buy today live on Univest. Consult a SEBI-registered advisor before acting.

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

Which are the best stocks to buy today as per Ankit Jaiswal of Univest?

Ans. Ankit Jaiswal’s stocks to buy today on 18 May 2026 are Astrazeneca Pharma (entry Rs 8,300-8,400), Suzlon Energy (entry Rs 51-54), Prism Johnson (entry Rs 123-128), Hindustan Zinc (entry Rs 660-680) and Coal India (entry Rs 455-470). All five have specific entry zones and stop-losses as listed above.

Why is Hindustan Zinc on the stocks to buy today list?

Ans. Hindustan Zinc is on the stocks to buy today list because the government announced fresh silver import restrictions on 18 May, building on the 15 percent duty hike from 13 May 2026. As India’s largest silver producer, Hindustan Zinc directly benefits from every domestic silver price increase. At 12.1x PE and 5 percent dividend yield, it is also one of the most attractively valued stocks to buy today.

What are the intraday entry levels for these picks today?

Ans. For today’s intraday picks, Ankit Jaiswal suggests Astrazeneca Rs 8,300-8,400, Suzlon Rs 51-54 near 200-DMA, Prism Johnson Rs 123-128, Hindustan Zinc Rs 660-680 and Coal India Rs 455-470. All stocks to buy today should be entered with a stop-loss set before the position is initiated. Do not chase if they open significantly above these levels.

Why is Coal India among the shares to buy today given the weak market?

Ans. Coal India is among the shares to buy today because crude oil at $111 makes gas-based power generation uneconomical, structurally increasing thermal coal demand. Coal India’s monopoly supply position, 9.20x PE, 4.7 percent dividend yield and proximity to its 52-week high make it a defensive value pick among today’s shares to buy. Stop-loss is Rs 445 on a weekly closing basis.