Stocks to buy for short term: Ajit Mishra’s 23 calls

Why these short-term calls are in focus

Ajit Mishra, SVP of Research at Religare Broking, has outlined several short-term trading ideas across multiple sessions, with targets and stop losses typically framed around a 1-2 week horizon. The recommendations come at a time when he has flagged caution in the broader market, including concerns linked to the monsoon narrative and heightened volatility. Alongside stock-specific trades, Mishra has also shared index-level cues and risk management guidance aimed at limiting overnight exposure.

For traders, what stands out is the structure: each idea is paired with a defined target and stop loss, and in some cases, a preference for options strategies over “naked” index positions. The lists also span sectors, including pharma, banking, autos, power, metals, defence, and select midcaps, reflecting a selective approach rather than a broad risk-on posture.

Market setup and the risk framework he highlighted

Mishra has pointed to an immediate resistance zone around 23,000-23,200, with a key hurdle around 23,500. On the downside, he has cited support around 22,300-22,000. In this backdrop, he has advised traders to remain cautious and consider a hedged approach until clearer stability emerges.

He has also suggested aligning positions with the prevailing trend, preferring option strategies over naked benchmark exposure. Across the notes, the consistent emphasis is on disciplined risk management, with particular attention to managing overnight risk. In one of the strategy notes, he also mentioned maintaining a positive bias with a buy-on-dips approach, while showing preference for banking, auto and metal stocks.

Pharma picks: Aurobindo, Glenmark, Sun Pharma

Among pharma names, Mishra’s short-term recommendations include Aurobindo Pharma, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. The calls are presented with clear levels, making them more suitable for traders following predefined setups rather than open-ended investing.

Aurobindo Pharma was listed with a previous close of ₹1,555.20, a target price of ₹1,680, and a stop loss of ₹1,490. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals was shown with a previous close of ₹2,393, a target of ₹2,590, and a stop loss of ₹2,290. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries was mentioned as a buy with a target of ₹1,980 and a stop loss of ₹1,720.

Financials: banks, broking, and NBFC setups

In financials, the recommended names include Axis Bank, IndusInd Bank, RBL Bank, Angel One, and Manappuram Finance. Axis Bank was flagged as a buy at an LTP of ₹1,298.80, with a target of ₹1,385 and a stop loss of ₹1,250. IndusInd Bank was listed with an LTP of ₹890.20, a target of ₹950, and a stop loss of ₹855.

RBL Bank was also suggested as a buy, with a target of ₹370 and a stop loss of ₹320. Angel One appeared in the 1-2 week list with a previous close of ₹339.65, a target of ₹370, and a stop loss of ₹325. Manappuram Finance was presented with a previous close of ₹322.40, a target of ₹348, and a stop loss of ₹310, with Mishra noting bullish momentum after a breakout from a consolidation zone and a declining trendline resistance.

Autos and consumption-linked names: M&M and Asian Paints

In autos, Mahindra and Mahindra was included among the short-term buy ideas. The setup cited a previous close of ₹3,182.20, a target price of ₹3,420, and a stop loss of ₹3,060.

On the other side, Asian Paints was part of a sell-futures strategy list. The levels shared were an LTP of ₹2,180.10, a target of ₹2,060, and a stop loss of ₹2,250. The inclusion of a large consumption name on the short side underlines that the calls are tactical and not a blanket sector view.

Power and PSUs: Power Grid, Tata Power, BEL, BHEL

Power and PSU names feature prominently across the recommendations. Power Grid Corporation of India appears in two separate short-term notes. One set lists a previous close of ₹312.25 with a target of ₹336 and a stop loss of ₹298. Another set lists a previous close of ₹296.70 with a target of ₹323 and a stop loss of ₹284, with Mishra pointing to continued traction in power sector stocks and a buying opportunity near a key pivot.

Tata Power Company was also cited as a buy, with a previous close of ₹398.50, a target of ₹430, and a stop loss of ₹383. Bharat Electronics (BEL) was listed with a previous close of ₹455.65, a target of ₹485, and a stop loss of ₹441. Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) was mentioned with an LTP of ₹291.45, a target of ₹310, and a stop loss of ₹280.

Metals and industrials: Tata Steel, SAIL, Jindal Steel, L&T

In metals and industrials, Mishra’s lists include Tata Steel, Steel Authority of India (SAIL), Jindal Steel, and Larsen and Toubro (L&T). Tata Steel was shared as a buy at an LTP of ₹189.25 with a target of ₹203 and a stop loss of ₹182.

SAIL was listed with a previous close of ₹171.32, a target of ₹182, and a stop loss of ₹166, with Mishra noting that the stock was trading above short- to long-term moving averages that were trending upward and well aligned. Jindal Steel was shown with an LTP of ₹1,137.90, a target of ₹1,240, and a stop loss of ₹1,080. L&T was cited with an LTP of ₹4,140.40, a target of ₹4,420, and a stop loss of ₹3,985.

Auto ancillary and other names: Samvardhana Motherson and BSE

Samvardhana Motherson International was included among the 1-2 week picks with a previous close of ₹151.71, a target of ₹163, and a stop loss of ₹146. BSE Limited was listed as a buy with an LTP of ₹2,851.40, a target of ₹3,080, and a stop loss of ₹2,730.

These two names broaden the list beyond sector heavyweights, but the core framework remains unchanged: defined levels and strict risk controls.

Key levels summary (targets and stop losses)

Market impact: what this means for traders

Because the recommendations are presented with tight stop losses and near-term targets, they are geared toward tactical trading rather than long-duration investing. The presence of both long ideas and sell-futures ideas suggests a selective stance, consistent with Mishra’s caution on broader market stability and his preference for hedged structures.

The index levels cited around resistance near 23,000-23,200 and support near 22,300-22,000 provide context for why stock-specific discipline matters. If the benchmark remains range-bound, individual stock setups can still play out, but risk management becomes more important when the broader trend is not clean.

Why the calls matter: structure over storytelling

A consistent feature across the notes is the focus on structure. In Manappuram Finance, Mishra explicitly pointed to a breakout and trendline dynamics, while in SAIL he referenced alignment of moving averages. In Power Grid, he discussed sector traction and a key pivot area.

Just as importantly, Mishra has repeatedly tied execution back to risk, including advice to prefer options strategies over naked benchmark positions and to manage overnight risk. For short-term participants, that combination of defined levels and explicit risk guardrails is the main takeaway.

Conclusion

Ajit Mishra’s recent short-term ideas from Religare Broking span 23 stocks across pharma, financials, autos, power, metals, and select midcaps, with each call mapped to specific targets and stop losses. His broader message remains cautious, highlighting key index resistance and support levels while urging hedged positioning and strict risk control. Traders tracking these levels will likely watch for clearer stability signals in the benchmark while sticking to the stated stop losses and trade structures.