Trade setup for Nifty 50, US Fed rate cut, India-US trade deal; 8 stocks to buy or sell on Friday

The Indian stock market ended Thursday’s session on a positive note, driven by global cues and sectoral gains. The benchmark Nifty-50 index gained 0.37% to close at 25,423.60, while the Bank Nifty rose 0.42% to 55,727.45. Pharma and IT stocks were the top gainers, while mid- and small-caps gained between 0.29% and 0.36%, signaling broad-based support across market segments.
Nifty and Bank Nifty Levels
According to analysts, Nifty support lies at 25,300 and 25,150, while resistance is placed at 25,500. A decisive breakout above this resistance could open the door for a rally towards 26,000, said Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities.
For Bank Nifty, the bias remains positive, with expectations of a move towards the 56,000–56,150 range in the coming sessions.
Global Factors: US Fed Rate Cut and India-US Trade Deal
The global market sentiment received a boost after the US Federal Reserve announced a 25-basis-point rate cut along with indications of further easing in the months ahead. This move supported equities worldwide, though elevated valuations and a firm dollar index led to intermittent profit booking.
Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services, noted that comfort in private banks, mid-caps, and small-caps helped markets sustain their upward trend. Meanwhile, progress on the India-US trade deal is expected to further influence investor sentiment, especially in tariff-sensitive sectors.
Trade Setup for Friday
Analysts expect a gradual uptrend in the market, with near-term moves likely guided by tariff-related developments and global monetary policies. Traders are advised to watch for price action near the key resistance of 25,500 on Nifty as a breakout could extend gains towards 26,000.
Stocks to Watch Today – 8 Picks by Experts
Sumeet Bagadia’s Recommendations (Choice Broking)
Eternal Ltd. – Buy at ₹337.85 | Target: ₹362 | Stop Loss: ₹326
Strong uptrend with higher highs and higher lows. Formed an all-time high at ₹338.5, supported by rising volumes.
Laurus Labs Ltd. – Buy at ₹923.25 | Target: ₹988 | Stop Loss: ₹891
Bullish momentum continues, nearing all-time high of ₹926.3. Supported by all major EMAs trending upward.
Ganesh Dongre’s Recommendations (Anand Rathi)
PNB Housing Finance Ltd. – Buy at ₹860 | Target: ₹895 | Stop Loss: ₹830
Strong bullish pattern with solid support at ₹830, indicating scope for near-term retracement higher.
Hindustan Zinc Ltd. – Buy at ₹458 | Target: ₹485 | Stop Loss: ₹445
Positive bias with strong support at ₹445, chart setup suggests upside momentum.
ITC Ltd. – Buy at ₹412 | Target: ₹430 | Stop Loss: ₹405
Stable uptrend, showing strength after bouncing from support at ₹405.
Shiju Koothupalakkal’s Recommendations (Prabhudas Lilladher)
CIE Automotive India Ltd. – Buy at ₹432 | Target: ₹460 | Stop Loss: ₹422
Strong volume participation, momentum building above 50 EMA. RSI indicates continued strength.
Latent View Analytics Ltd. – Buy at ₹427.95 | Target: ₹450 | Stop Loss: ₹418
Support at 50 EMA, bullish candle formation signals upward potential.
Shalby Ltd. – Buy at ₹235 | Target: ₹252 | Stop Loss: ₹230
Breakout from consolidation with flag pattern formation; volumes support further upside.
Conclusion
The Indian markets are well-positioned to extend their uptrend, supported by global cues such as the US Fed’s dovish stance and optimism around the India-US trade deal. With Nifty approaching a critical resistance zone, traders should watch for a breakout to ride the next leg of the rally. Sectoral strength in pharma, IT, and banking remains encouraging, while analysts have highlighted 8 actionable intraday stock ideas for today’s trade.
Disclaimer: The above recommendations are from individual analysts and brokerage firms. Investors are advised to consult certified financial experts before making investment decisions.