Trade setup for March 20: Top 15 things to know before the opening bell as escalating Iran war keeps oil prices high
The immediate crucial support for Nifty 50 at 22,900 is key to watch in the next few sessions, as a decisive fall below this level can increase the possibility of a downward move toward 22,700–22,500.
Technical View: Nifty sees biggest single-day fall since June 2024, bear may tighten grip if index breaks 22,900; Bank Nifty hits new 2026 low as VIX spikes 22%
In the upcoming sessions, if it decisively breaks and closes below the 22,900 support level, selling pressure may intensify further toward 22,700 (78.6 percent Fibonacci retracement of the rally from the April 2025 low to the January 2026 high).
Trading Plan: Will Nifty 50, Bank Nifty decisively break three-day rally amid spiking oil prices, fears of prolonged Fed pause?
If the Nifty 50 decisively breaks the 23,600–23,500 zone, bears may regain control and drag the index toward the current week's low of around 23,000–22,950.
Trade Spotlight: How should you trade PFC, GE Vernova, Bharat Forge, APL Apollo Tubes, DLF, and others on March 19?
The market is expected to be negatively impacted by rising oil prices and concerns over a prolonged pause in the Fed funds rate amid inflation worries. Below are some short-term trading ideas to consider.
Trade setup for March 19: Top 15 things to know before the opening bell as hot inflation dims Fed rate cut hopes for 2026, oil spikes
If the Nifty breaks 23,600 (Wednesday's low), a decline toward the 23,500–23,350 zone is possible in the coming sessions. However, a further rally toward 24,000 is likely only if the index closes above and sustains the 23,800 resistance level, according to experts.
Technical View: Nifty 50 gains momentum with third-day VIX drop; 23,800 crucial for rally toward psychological levels, Bank Nifty eyes 56,000
With the improving trend, the Nifty 50 may move toward the psychological 24,000–24,100 zonein the next few sessions, provided it closes above and sustains 23,800 in the following session. Immediate support is placed at 23,600–23,500, according to experts.
Trading Plan: Will Nifty 50 reclaim 23,600, Bank Nifty climb above 55,000 amid elevated oil prices?
If the Nifty 50 reclaims and sustains above the 23,600–23,700 levels, a rally toward the 23,800–24,000 zone may be seen. Until then, consolidation cannot be ruled out, with support at 23,350.
Trade Spotlight: How should you trade Godrej Properties, Chennai Petroleum, Premier Energies, Lumax Auto Tech, Data Patterns, and others on March 18?
The market is expected to consolidate with range-bound trading after the two-day rally. Below are some short-term trading ideas to consider.
Trade setup for March 18: Top 15 things to know before the opening bell as Strait of Hormuz crisis keeps oil above $100
According to experts, the Nifty 50 needs to close and sustain above the 23,600–23,700 levels in the next few sessions for a move toward the 23,800–24,000 zone. Until then, consolidation may continue, with immediate support at 23,350, followed by 23,000 as a crucial support level.
Technical View: Nifty needs sustained close above 23,600 to trigger further sharp rally; Bank Nifty jumps to 55,000 as VIX cools 14% in two days despite oil above $100
Weekly options data continues to suggest that resistance for the Nifty 50 is placed at 24,000, with support at 23,000. A decisive move is likely only after a breakout on either side of this range.
Trading Plan: Will Nifty 50, Bank Nifty extend gains for a second straight session as oil prices ease?
In case of a further uptrend, the Nifty 50 may face resistance at the 23,500–23,700 zone, followed by 24,000, but the move may look unsustainable due to a sell-on-rally approach. Meanwhile, support is placed at the 23,000–22,950 zone.
Trade Spotlight: How should you trade BSE, Linde India, NHPC, PB Fintech, Bajaj Finance, HDFC Bank, and others on March 17?
The market needs follow-up buying interest and a sustainable close above the previous week's high for stability. Below are some short-term trading ideas to consider.
Trade setup for March 17: Top 15 things to know before the opening bell amid oil prices volatility
Sustainability of uptrend will be the key going forward. Overall, the structure is still in favour of bears, and the focus remains on oil prices, with traders monitoring developments related to the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran.
Technical View: Follow-up buying crucial for Nifty rally, but strong bears, $100+ oil and elevated VIX cap upside; 54,700 key level for Bank Nifty
Weekly options data suggested that the Nifty 50 is expected to trade in the 23,000–24,000 range in the short term, as a decisive close on either side could provide a firm direction to the index, with immediate resistance at 23,500.
Trading Plan: Will West Asia Tensions push Nifty 50 below 23,000, Bank Nifty toward 53,000?
The Bank Nifty needs to defend 53,500 for a move toward 54,700 (50% Fibonacci level), but a decisive fall below it could open the door for 53,000.
Trade Spotlight: How should you trade NTPC Green Energy, Tata Power, JB Chemicals, Sterlite Technologies, Ajanta Pharma, and others on March 16?
The market may continue to consolidate with a negative bias amid the West Asia tensions. Below are some short-term trading ideas to consider.
Trade setup for March 16: Top 15 things to know before the opening bell amid Strait of Hormuz crisis
According to experts, if the Nifty fails to take support at the psychological level of 23,000, a fall toward 22,700 cannot be ruled out in the upcoming sessions. However, 23,300–23,500 can act as immediate resistance.
Chartist Talk: Sudeep Shah flags deeper correction risk as Nifty breaks 61.8% Fibonacci level; suggests two stocks
Given the current chart structure and weak momentum setup, any near term rebound, if it occurs, is likely to attract fresh selling interest, especially near resistance zones, said Sudeep Shah of SBI Securities.
How to follow the trend using PCR OI: Shubham Agarwal
Markets don't move in straight lines. They bounce on the way down and pull back on the way up. That's exactly what catches traders out, confusing a retracement for a reversal.
Technical View: Nifty logs biggest weekly fall since June 2022, nears death cross; Iran war fears push bears to target 22,700; Bank Nifty eyes 53,000
The fear gauge India VIX remained at elevated levels, rising 13.9 percent during the week to 22.64 (the highest closing level since May 2024), in addition to a 45 percent surge in the previous week, signalling ballooning risk for bulls.
Trading Plan: Will Nifty 50 decisively breach 23,500, Bank Nifty slip below 54,500 as Strait of Hormuz crisis drives oil above $100?
Bearish momentum indicators, along with the continuation of the lower high–lower low structure and the VIX sustaining above 21, signal further weakness. Experts expect the benchmark Nifty 50 to breach the 23,500 support and slide toward 23,000 in the upcoming sessions.
Trade Spotlight: How should you trade Ajanta Pharma, HFCL, Timken India, Linde India, Supreme Industries, and others on March 13?
The market is expected to continue to face risk-off sentiment amid geopolitical tensions. Below are some short-term trading ideas to consider.
Trade setup for March 13: Top 15 things to know before the opening bell as oil hits $100 amid Strait of Hormuz tensions
Bears seem to be keeping tight control over the market in the upcoming sessions, possibly pushing the Nifty 50 below the immediate support of 23,500 and signalling a major risk for the 23,200–23,000 zone. Notably, 23,000 has the maximum Put open interest.
Technical View: Selling may intensify if Nifty breaks 23,500 amid oil price volatility; Bank Nifty bears eye 54,200 as VIX stays above 21
The weekly options data suggested that 23,500 is expected to be immediate support for the Nifty 50, as below it 23,000 is likely to be a major support, both of which have maximum Put open interest. However, 23,700 and 24,000 are expected to be hurdles.
Trading Plan: Will Nifty 50, Bank Nifty defend Monday's low amid US-Iran tensions and elevated VIX?
If the Nifty 50 decisively breaks 23,700, Monday's low, a fall toward 23,500–23,400 can't be ruled out. However, a convincing move above 24,300 can drive the index toward 24,500–24,700.
