The ongoing momentum lifted the Nifty 50 above the psychological 25,000 mark on a closing basis, with the index rising 70 points on August 20 and extending its uptrend for the fifth straight session ahead of the weekly F&O expiry. Technical indicators signal a bullish bias, with short-term moving averages turning upward. According to experts, if the index sustains above 25,000—the immediate support level—then 25,170 and 25,250 are the levels to watch on the higher side in the upcoming sessions. On the downside, 24,850 (the low of the bullish breakaway gap day on Monday) is expected to act as crucial support.

Here are 15 data points we have collated to help you spot profitable trades:

1) Key Levels For The Nifty 50 (25,051)

Resistance based on pivot points: 25,084, 25,121, and 25,182

Support based on pivot points: 24,962, 24,925, and 24,864

Special Formation: The Nifty 50 formed a bullish candle and closed above the highs of the previous couple of sessions, along with a breakout from a falling trendline—signalling a continuation of the bullish trend. The 20-day and 50-day EMAs trended upward, while the MACD maintained its bullish crossover and the histogram gained further strength. The RSI jumped to 56.99, indicating the possibility of more upside in the near term.

2) Key Levels For The Bank Nifty (55,699)

Resistance based on pivot points: 55,786, 55,842, and 55,931

Support based on pivot points: 55,606, 55,551, and 55,461

Resistance based on Fibonacci retracement: 55,948, 56,272

Support based on Fibonacci retracement: 55,567, 55,077

Special Formation: The Bank Nifty continued to underperform the benchmark Nifty 50, falling below its 20-day and 50-day EMAs as well as the midline of the Bollinger Bands, although it managed to defend the 10-day EMA, which remains upward sloping. The index formed a small red candle with a minor upper shadow and a slightly longer lower shadow—almost entirely within the previous day's green candle—indicating a rangebound session. Further, the MACD retained its positive crossover with continued strength in the histogram. Meanwhile, the RSI stood at 47.29, holding its bullish crossover despite trending slightly downward. These signals point to a cautiously positive bias, albeit with limited momentum.

3) Nifty Call Options Data

According to the weekly options data, the maximum Call open interest was seen at the 25,500 strike (with 1.24 crore contracts). This level can act as a key resistance for the Nifty in the short term. It was followed by the 25,100 strike (1.13 crore contracts), and the 25,200 strike (1.02 crore contracts).

Maximum Call writing was observed at the 25,100 strike, which saw an addition of 47.5 lakh contracts, followed by the 25,050 and 25,250 strikes, which added 40.24 lakh and 21.17 lakh contracts, respectively. The maximum Call unwinding was seen at the 25,000 strike, which shed 38.57 lakh contracts, followed by the 25,800 and 24,900 strikes, which shed 12.96 lakh and 10.77 lakh contracts, respectively.

4) Nifty Put Options Data

On the Put side, the 25,000 strike holds the maximum Put open interest (with 1.74 crore contracts), which can act as a key support level for the Nifty. It was followed by the 24,900 strike (1.49 crore contracts) and the 24,950 strike (1.07 crore contracts).

The maximum Put writing was placed at the 25,000 strike, which saw an addition of 69.67 lakh contracts, followed by the 25,050 and 24,950 strikes, which added 60.48 lakh and 44.72 lakh contracts, respectively. The maximum Put unwinding was seen at the 24,300 strike, which shed 9.5 lakh contracts, followed by the 24,450 and 25,500 strikes, which shed 1.87 lakh and 64,575 contracts, respectively.

5) Bank Nifty Call Options Data

According to the monthly options data, the 57,000 strike continued to hold the maximum Call open interest, with 24.06 lakh contracts. This can act as a key resistance level for the index in the short term. It was followed by the 56,000 strike (18.2 lakh contracts) and the 58,000 strike (12.71 lakh contracts).

Maximum Call writing was observed at the 55,700 strike (with the addition of 2.32 lakh contracts), followed by the 56,000 strike (2.06 lakh contracts), and the 55,800 strike (1.69 lakh contracts). The maximum Call unwinding was seen at the 55,900 strike, which shed 16,310 contracts, followed by the 54,000 and 55,300 strikes, which shed 11,445 contracts, and 6,895 contracts, respectively.

6) Bank Nifty Put Options Data

On the Put side, the maximum Put open interest was seen at the 57,000 strike (with 12.87 lakh contracts), which can act as a key level for the index. This was followed by the 56,000 strike (11.08 lakh contracts) and the 55,000 strike (10.48 lakh contracts).

The maximum Put writing was observed at the 54,500 strike (which added 51,275 contracts), followed by the 55,000 strike (32,375 contracts) and the 55,100 strike (29,995 contracts). The maximum Put unwinding was seen at the 55,600 strike, which shed 1.34 lakh contracts, followed by the 55,900 and 56,000 strikes, which shed 57,330 and 42,840 contracts, respectively.

7) Funds Flow (Rs crore)

8) Put-Call Ratio

The Nifty Put-Call ratio (PCR), which indicates the mood of the market, jumped to 1.28 on August 20 (the highest since June 26), compared to 1.14 in the previous session.

The increasing PCR, or being higher than 0.7 or surpassing 1, means traders are selling more Put options than Call options, which generally indicates the firming up of a bullish sentiment in the market. If the ratio falls below 0.7 or moves towards 0.5, then it indicates selling in Calls is higher than selling in Puts, reflecting a bearish mood in the market.

9) India VIX

The India VIX, the fear index, weakened further—declining by 0.04 percent to 11.79—and extended its downtrend for the third consecutive session. It has now fallen below short-term moving averages, offering additional comfort to the bulls.

10) Long Build-up (59 Stocks)

A long build-up was seen in 59 stocks. An increase in open interest (OI) and price indicates a build-up of long positions.

11) Long Unwinding (28 Stocks)

28 stocks saw a decline in open interest (OI) along with a fall in price, indicating long unwinding.

12) Short Build-up (81 Stocks)

81 stocks saw an increase in OI along with a fall in price, indicating a build-up of short positions.

13) Short-Covering (51 Stocks)

51 stocks saw short-covering, meaning a decrease in OI, along with a price increase.

14) High Delivery Trades

Here are the stocks that saw a high share of delivery trades. A high share of delivery reflects investing (as opposed to trading) interest in a stock.

15) Stocks Under F&O Ban

Securities banned under the F&O segment include companies where derivative contracts cross 95 percent of the market-wide position limit.

Stocks added to F&O ban: PG Electroplast

Stocks retained in F&O ban: RBL Bank, Titagarh Rail Systems

Stocks removed from F&O ban: Nil