Stocks to Watch Today: 5 Key Stocks Flagged by Analysts for August 21, 2026

What Are Stocks to Watch Today?

Stocks to watch today are stocks that have a specific technical setup, fundamental catalyst, or news trigger heading into the trading session on August 21, 2026. These are not necessarily buy or sell recommendations — they are stocks where something actionable is developing that traders and investors should monitor during today's session. Always verify live prices on NSE or BSE before acting, and consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making any investment decisions.

Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, focuses on technical setups, chart patterns, and momentum signals. Kunal Singla, Associate Director at Univest, brings quantitative and technical analysis to identify setups with defined risk-reward. Both analysts have flagged the following five stocks to watch in today's session.

Click Here – Get Free Investment Predictions

Today's Market Context: August 21, 2026

The Nifty 50 closed at 24,212 on August 20 (+0.56%), supported by gold loan NBFCs, sugar stocks, and positive brokerage initiations from Jefferies and Kotak. Market breadth was strongly positive with 2,334 BSE shares advancing. The rupee strengthened 19 paise to 95.56 per dollar. Global cues are constructive — the US dollar remains soft on the back of the Treasury bond buyback, and gold prices are near a two-month high. India VIX remains in a manageable range, supporting controlled market movement. The setup for today's session is cautiously positive.

Stocks to Watch Today: The 5 Key Names

Stock	Symbol	Prev Close (Rs)	20-DMA (Rs)	RSI (14d)	Setup
Reliance Industries	RELIANCE	1,313.20	1,306.07	51.6	Support hold + breakout watch
ICICI Bank	ICICIBANK	1,411.90	1,430.90	42.3	Pullback to DMA; watch for reversal
Sun Pharma	SUNPHARMA	1,904.00	1,944.50	24.8	Deep oversold; bounce candidate
Tata Steel	TATASTEEL	183.50	186.86	36.7	Below DMA; key support at Rs 182
Kotak Mahindra Bank	KOTAKBANK	397.35	391.66	58.0	Above DMA; momentum continuation

Reliance Industries — Stocks to Watch Today

Prev Close: Rs 1,313.20 | 20-DMA: Rs 1,306.07 | RSI: 51.6 | Setup: Support hold + breakout watch

Reliance Industries is among the top stocks to watch today after holding above its 20-DMA of Rs 1,306 through the previous session. Ankit Jaiswal notes that Reliance is forming a consolidation pattern between Rs 1,300 and Rs 1,320, and a decisive move above Rs 1,320 with volume could signal a fresh leg upward targeting Rs 1,345-1,355. The RSI at 51.6 is neutral — confirming no overheat and leaving room for the next move in either direction.

The fundamental context remains strong: Reliance's Jio and retail segments continue to report stable performance, and the company's ongoing expansion in new energy adds a medium-term growth narrative. Today's key event to watch is whether Reliance breaks the Rs 1,320 resistance or falls back toward Rs 1,296 intraday support.

Download the Univest iOS App or Univest Android App to track Reliance Industries live and get daily watchlist alerts.

ICICI Bank — Stocks to Watch Today

Prev Close: Rs 1,411.90 | 20-DMA: Rs 1,430.90 | RSI: 42.3 | Setup: Pullback to DMA; watch for reversal

ICICI Bank is on today's watchlist as the stock trades below its 20-DMA of Rs 1,430.90. Kunal Singla observes that ICICI Bank has been in a controlled pullback from its recent highs and the Rs 1,405-1,415 zone is emerging as an important demand area. If the stock holds this zone in today's session with narrowing red candles and picking volume, it could set up for a recovery move toward Rs 1,445-1,460 over the next few sessions.

The RSI of 42.3 is approaching the 40-level boundary that historically has preceded reversals in ICICI Bank's chart. The Nifty Fin Service index is also a key reference — watch for sector-level buying in today's financial services space as a confirmation signal.

Sun Pharma — Stocks to Watch Today

Prev Close: Rs 1,904.00 | 20-DMA: Rs 1,944.50 | RSI: 24.8 | Setup: Deep oversold; bounce candidate

Sun Pharma carries the most technically interesting signal among today's stocks to watch. The RSI of 24.8 places the stock in deeply oversold territory, a reading that historically precedes at least a short-covering bounce. Ankit Jaiswal flagged Sun Pharma for monitoring, noting that oversold stocks can stay oversold if the fundamental story is negative, but Sun Pharma's business quality and sector leadership in the Nifty Pharma space make it a stock where a technical bounce is a meaningful probability.

The immediate recovery target would be Rs 1,930-1,940 (near the 20-DMA), while the downside risk, if the stock continues breaking down, is Rs 1,875-1,880. Today's session open and early-morning volume will be the key tell. A gap-up open with strong volume is a bullish signal; a weak open with selling suggests further downside.

Tata Steel — Stocks to Watch Today

Prev Close: Rs 183.50 | 20-DMA: Rs 186.86 | RSI: 36.7 | Setup: Below DMA; key support at Rs 182

Tata Steel is one of the stocks to watch today due to its position below the 20-DMA and the proximity to the Rs 182 support zone. Kunal Singla has flagged that the Nifty Metal index will be the leading directional indicator for Tata Steel today. If the metal index stabilises or bounces, Tata Steel's Rs 182-183 base could hold and set up for a recovery toward Rs 188-190.

The global context matters: any positive news on China's steel demand or domestic infrastructure ordering would provide a fundamental catalyst alongside the technical bounce setup. The RSI of 36.7 is approaching oversold territory, adding weight to the case for watching Rs 182 as a key support to monitor today.

Kotak Mahindra Bank — Stocks to Watch Today

Prev Close: Rs 397.35 | 20-DMA: Rs 391.66 | RSI: 58.0 | Setup: Above DMA; momentum continuation

Kotak Mahindra Bank is the momentum candidate among today's stocks to watch. The stock is above its 20-DMA of Rs 391.66 and the RSI of 58.0 shows positive but not overbought momentum. Ankit Jaiswal notes that Kotak Bank has been in an uptrend supported by consistent deposit growth and improving NIM trajectory, and as long as the stock holds above Rs 392-394, the bias is positive.

The next resistance to watch is Rs 402-405. A clean break and hold above Rs 400 with strong breadth in the Bank Nifty would signal continuation buying. Kotak Bank's stock is also on many institutional watchlists given the recent positive private banking sector flows from FIIs.

Screen All 5 Stocks to Watch Today on Univest Screener with Live Data

Key Levels Summary for Stocks to Watch Today

Stock	Support (Rs)	Resistance (Rs)	Key Signal
Reliance Industries	1,296	1,320	Volume breakout above 1,320
ICICI Bank	1,405	1,445	Hold at DMA pullback zone
Sun Pharma	1,875	1,940	RSI 24.8 — oversold bounce watch
Tata Steel	182	188-190	Rs 182 must hold; metal index cue
Kotak Mahindra Bank	392	402-405	Hold above DMA, break Rs 400

Intraday Trading Tips for Stocks to Watch Today

When trading stocks to watch today, always wait for the first 15 minutes of the session to settle before entering any position. The opening auction and early-session price action often sets the day's directional bias. Use the support and resistance levels in the table above as your reference, and always define your stop-loss before entering a trade. Never trade without a pre-defined exit strategy for both the profit and loss scenarios.

Today's specific context: a pre-market constructive tone from yesterday's Nifty close at 24,212 and the soft dollar environment favour the bulls. However, stocks with RSIs below 40 (ICICI Bank, Tata Steel, IRFC) should be approached with caution — even technically oversold stocks require a volume and price confirmation before entry.

Conclusion

The stocks to watch today on August 21, 2026 are Reliance Industries, ICICI Bank, Sun Pharma, Tata Steel, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. Ankit Jaiswal and Kunal Singla have flagged distinct setups in each: Reliance for a breakout watch at Rs 1,320, ICICI Bank for a DMA pullback reversal, Sun Pharma for an oversold RSI bounce at 24.8, Tata Steel for a support hold at Rs 182, and Kotak Bank for momentum continuation above Rs 392. Track these stocks to watch today using the Univest app for live prices and real-time research alerts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which are the top stocks to watch today on August 21, 2026?

Ans. The top stocks to watch today on August 21 are Reliance Industries (Rs 1,313.20), ICICI Bank (Rs 1,411.90), Sun Pharma (Rs 1,904), Tata Steel (Rs 183.50), and Kotak Mahindra Bank (Rs 397.35). These have been flagged by Univest analysts Ankit Jaiswal and Kunal Singla based on technical setups, RSI signals, and key support-resistance levels.

What is the key level to watch in Reliance Industries today?

Ans. Reliance Industries' key resistance to watch today is Rs 1,320. A move above this level with volume would signal a breakout targeting Rs 1,345-1,355. The support to monitor is Rs 1,296. The stock's RSI of 51.6 is neutral, suggesting room for either direction. Ankit Jaiswal has flagged Rs 1,320 as the key breakout level to track.

Why is Sun Pharma one of the stocks to watch today?

Ans. Sun Pharma is on today's watchlist because its 14-day RSI of 24.8 is in deeply oversold territory, which historically precedes a technical bounce. The stock is below its 20-DMA of Rs 1,944.50 at Rs 1,904. Ankit Jaiswal has flagged a potential bounce toward Rs 1,930-1,940, while the downside risk is Rs 1,875-1,880 if selling continues.

What does stocks to watch today mean for retail investors?

Ans. Stocks to watch today are stocks with specific setups — technical signals, news catalysts, or key levels — that make them worth monitoring during the trading session. They are not necessarily buy or sell calls. Retail investors should use these as a starting point for research, verify all data on NSE and BSE, and consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making any investment decision.

Which analyst flagged Kotak Mahindra Bank as a stock to watch today?

Ans. Ankit Jaiswal, Senior Research Analyst at Univest, flagged Kotak Mahindra Bank as a momentum continuation candidate with the stock above its 20-DMA of Rs 391.66 and RSI at 58.0. The key levels to watch are Rs 392 support and Rs 402-405 resistance for a potential breakout move today.

What is the ICICI Bank key support to watch today?

Ans. ICICI Bank's key support zone to watch today is Rs 1,405-1,415. Kunal Singla, Associate Director at Univest, observes that if ICICI Bank holds this demand zone with narrowing red candles and improving volume, it could recover toward Rs 1,445-1,460. The 20-DMA of Rs 1,430.90 is the first resistance to watch on a recovery.

How do I use the stocks to watch today list effectively?

Ans. Use the stocks to watch today list as a pre-session research framework. Review the key support and resistance levels, check opening price action in the first 15 minutes, and track volume to confirm directional bias before entering any trade. Always define your stop-loss in advance and cross-reference with live NSE data. Download the Univest app to track all five stocks with live alerts.

Is today a good day to buy or sell these stocks?

Ans. This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Whether to buy or sell depends on your investment horizon, risk appetite, and individual financial goals. Consult a SEBI-registered investment advisor before acting on any of the levels or setups mentioned. Verify all data on the official NSE and BSE portals.