Equity benchmarks continued to reel under selling pressure for the fifth straight session, falling more than 0.3 percent on August 17, amid weakness in market breadth. About 1,653 shares declined, compared with 1,412 advancing shares on the NSE. Selling pressure may gradually mount, with Monday’s low likely to come under threat amid range-bound trading. Below are some short-term trading ideas to consider:

Somil Mehta, Head of Retail Research at Mirae Asset ShareKhan

Karur Vysya Bank | CMP: Rs 334

Karur Vysya Bank has been a relative outperformer, holding well above its 40-DEMA. The stock spent the last few sessions consolidating, but on Monday, it bounced back sharply from the lower Bollinger Band, which has also contracted meaningfully. This contraction suggests limited downside from current levels.

From an Elliott Wave perspective, wave (v) is still pending, pointing to a possible retest of the stock’s high of Rs 350. A breakout above that level should open the door for further upside.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 350, Rs 362

Stop-Loss: Rs 322

Muthoot Finance | CMP: Rs 2,888.5

Muthoot Finance has been correcting since January 2026, with the entire decline unfolding in a falling-wedge pattern. As per the Elliott Wave count, the a-b-c-d-e move within this ending diagonal appears complete, suggesting that a meaningful bounce could be on the cards in the coming sessions.

A bullish crossover in the daily momentum indicator adds further support to this view. Overall, the setup offers an attractive risk-reward for initiating long positions at current levels.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 3,040, Rs 3,145

Stop-Loss: Rs 2,795

HDB Financial Services | CMP: Rs 683.9

HDB Financial Services is trading within a rising channel and recently bounced back from its lower end. On the lower timeframe, the stock appears to be forming an inverse head-and-shoulders pattern, a bullish reversal formation, and is currently forming the right shoulder. The daily momentum indicator is also in bullish mode, hinting at a potential breakout on the horizon. Overall, the setup offers a good risk-reward at current levels.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 720, Rs 735

Stop-Loss: Rs 657

Jay Thakkar, Vice President & Head of Derivatives and Quant Research at ICICI Securities

Cummins India | CMP: Rs 5,450

Cummins India has reversed well from the recent lows formed after its quarterly numbers, indicating that the short-term bottom is in place. The options chain suggests significant Put additions at lower levels recently, which should act as short-term support. On the upside, Rs 5,500 is the only major hurdle, as it has the highest Call base.

The stock also closed above its maximum-pain level of Rs 5,400 in the last trading session, which should act as a support level. Buy Cummins India Futures in the range of Rs 5,450-5,480, with a stop-loss below Rs 5,335.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 5,650, Rs 5,750

Stop-Loss: Rs 5,335

Computer Age Management Services | CMP: Rs 776.25

CAMS Futures has reversed well from the lower end of the range that the stock has formed after consolidating for more than three months. During this consolidation phase, the stock has recently witnessed short build-up and is now expected to see short covering, as the reversal has occurred from the lower end of the range. Hence, the risk-reward ratio appears favourable on the long side.

The upper end of the range is Rs 825, which is the target. As per the options data, Rs 800 has the highest Call base, making it the first target. The maximum-pain level for the stock is also Rs 800, indicating that strong upward momentum is likely above this level. Buy CAMS Futures in the range of Rs 776-780, with a stop-loss below Rs 755.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 800, Rs 825

Stop-Loss: Rs 755

Shriram Finance | CMP: Rs 1,122

Shriram Finance has been consolidating within a range of Rs 1,110-1,140 and is likely to provide an upside breakout. The stock recently made a 52-week high, while leverage is also quite low in the futures segment, indicating a higher probability of further upside.

As per the options data, the Rs 1,140 strike has the highest Call base, while the stock has witnessed a strong Put base at lower levels, which should provide support going ahead. Moreover, since the PCR (Put-Call Ratio) ahead of the monthly expiry is quite low at 0.57, the probability of Rs 1,140 being taken out is quite high. Buy Shriram Finance Futures in the range of Rs 1,120-1,135, with a stop-loss below Rs 990.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 1,160, Rs 1,190

Stop-Loss: Rs 990

Jigar S Patel, Senior Manager - Equity Research at Anand Rathi

Bata India | CMP: Rs 758.1

Bata India is showing signs of a potential trend reversal after forming a higher-low structure near the Rs 650-700 zone. The stock has moved above the Keltner Channel mid-band, while the RSI at 51.17 indicates improving momentum. DMI is also supportive, with DI at 27.54 above -DI at 19.53.

Importantly, the stock has also taken support near the yearly Camarilla S4 pivot, as highlighted on the chart, strengthening the downside support structure. Sustaining above Rs 750-760 could trigger further recovery towards Rs 850. Traders may consider entering long positions in the Rs 750-760 zone.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 850

Stop-Loss: Rs 699

IFCI | CMP: Rs 78.93

IFCI is showing a constructive technical setup after a period of consolidation. The stock is trading above the Keltner Channel mid-band, indicating an improving price structure. The RSI at 60.10 reflects positive momentum without entering the overbought zone. Recent price action also shows higher lows and improving recovery momentum from the lower Keltner region.

Overall, the technical structure is turning constructive, with improving momentum and a positive directional bias supporting further upside potential. Traders may consider entering long positions in the Rs 77-79 zone, with a target of Rs 90.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 90

Stop-Loss: Rs 72.5

KFin Technologies | CMP: Rs 973

KFin Technologies is showing a strong bullish technical setup, with the stock breaking out of a short-term falling trendline and reclaiming the Keltner Channel mid-band. The current price action indicates a breakout from a brief consolidation, supported by improving momentum.

The RSI at 63.48 remains firmly bullish without entering the overbought zone. DMI is strongly supportive, with DI at 29.03 well above -DI at 13.96, indicating clear buyer dominance. ADX at 18.13 is rising, suggesting that trend strength is gradually improving. Traders may consider entering long positions in the Rs 955-975 zone, with a target of Rs 1,055.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 1,055

Stop-Loss: Rs 910

Vidnyan S Sawant, Head of Research at GEPL Capital

Paras Defence and Space Technologies | CMP: Rs 1,388.5

Paras Defence has been exhibiting a strong uptrend within a well-defined rising channel, with the stock moving towards the upper trendline. The stock has recently broken out of a flag pattern, indicating a potential continuation of the prevailing bullish trend.

It remains well positioned above its 20- and 50-week EMAs, highlighting sustained trend strength. The ratio chart also signals continued relative outperformance, with the ratio line maintaining a higher trajectory.

Strategy: Buy

Target: Rs 1,500

Stop-Loss: Rs 1,335