Top Traded by Value Today 30-Mar-2026: Most Active Stocks

Introduction

Indian equity markets witnessed a sharp sell-off on Monday, with the Nifty 50 closing down 394.30 points (-1.73%) at 22,425.30 and the Sensex plunging 1,341.31 points (-1.82%) to settle at 72,241.91. Market breadth was overwhelmingly negative, with 817 shares advancing against 3,237 declining. The banking and financial services sectors faced the brunt of the selling pressure, making them the most actively traded by value, while the metal sector was a notable outlier, closing in the green.

Large Cap Top Traded by Value

HDFC Bank Ltd (-3.23%)

The stock saw intense selling pressure and hit a 52-week low following multiple negative triggers. Investor sentiment was soured by news of the chairman's sudden exit, which raised concerns about leadership stability. This was compounded when Jefferies removed the lender from its Asia ex-Japan long-only equity portfolios, prompting a wider sell-off. The high trading volume of over 11 crore shares underscores the significant investor reaction to these governance and institutional concerns.

Reliance Industries Ltd (-0.30%)

Despite being one of the most traded stocks, Reliance Industries closed with a marginal loss amid a crashing market. The high volume indicates significant activity, likely influenced by the broad market sell-off rather than a specific company trigger. The stock's relative stability compared to the benchmark indices suggests a balance between sellers reacting to market sentiment and buyers finding value at lower levels.

ICICI Bank Ltd (-2.35%)

Shares of ICICI Bank fell sharply, hitting a 52-week low, driven by a severe sell-off across the banking sector. There was no specific negative news for the company; instead, the stock was caught in the downdraft as the Nifty Bank index plunged nearly 3%. The decline was part of a broader risk-off sentiment that particularly affected financial stocks.

Bharti Airtel Ltd (-2.94%)

Bharti Airtel declined amid the widespread market correction, with high trading volumes indicating active selling. While there were no major negative announcements, the stock succumbed to the broader market pressure that saw most large-cap names end in the red. The selling was also influenced by a general downturn in the telecom sector for the day.

Axis Bank Ltd (-3.59%)

Axis Bank was another casualty of the brutal sell-off in the banking sector, falling over 3.5% on high volumes. The stock's movement was in lockstep with the Nifty Bank index, which was one of the worst-performing sectoral indices. The decline was attributed to market-wide negative sentiment rather than any company-specific news.

Mid Cap Top Traded by Value

National Aluminium Company Ltd (+4.14%)

NALCO defied the market's bearish trend, surging over 4% on strong volume. The rally was triggered by a sharp rise in global aluminium prices following reports of strikes on smelters in the Middle East. Investors bought the stock anticipating that supply disruptions would lead to higher prices and improved profitability for aluminium producers.

Steel Authority of India Ltd (+3.35%)

The stock gained as the metal sector emerged as one of the few resilient pockets in a weak market. SAIL rallied on the back of a positive sector-wide sentiment, which saw the BSE Metal index close over 1% higher. The high trading volume of over 7 crore shares indicated strong buying interest in the counter.

GMR Airports Ltd (-4.94%)

Shares of GMR Airports plunged nearly 5% amid the intense market-wide sell-off. The stock witnessed exceptionally high trading volume of over 12 crore shares, indicating widespread selling pressure. As a high-beta stock linked to the infrastructure and travel sectors, it was heavily impacted by the negative macroeconomic sentiment.

Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (-0.35%)

MCX saw high trading value but closed nearly flat, indicating a day of consolidation without a strong directional trend. While a large number of shares were traded, buying and selling pressures were largely balanced. The stock remained resilient compared to the broader market's sharp fall.

Ashok Leyland Ltd (-5.43%)

The commercial vehicle manufacturer's stock dropped significantly as the auto sector came under pressure during the market crash. The BSE Auto index fell over 1.5%, and Ashok Leyland underperformed due to concerns that a market downturn could impact economic activity and demand for commercial vehicles. The high volume reflected strong selling interest.

Small Cap Top Traded by Value

KNR Constructions Ltd (+2.10%)

KNR Constructions bucked the market trend and gained over 2% after the company announced a significant order win. The company bagged a project worth Rs 1,734 crore, which acted as a major positive catalyst. This news led to strong buying interest, reflected in the massive trading volume of over 12 crore shares.

Dalmia Bharat Sugar & Industries Ltd (+14.24%)

The stock skyrocketed over 14% as the entire sugar sector witnessed a powerful rally. The buying momentum was sector-wide, with several sugar stocks hitting upper circuits or posting double-digit gains. This thematic buying interest pushed the stock price up sharply on robust volumes.

Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd (-3.05%)

The stock declined in line with the broader market's sharp correction. With no specific negative news, the fall was attributed to the overall risk-off sentiment that prompted investors to sell across small and mid-cap stocks. The high volume indicates that the stock was part of the wider market sell-off.

HEG Ltd (-5.48%)

Shares of HEG Ltd fell sharply by over 5% amid the market crash. Despite strength in the broader metals space, the stock succumbed to intense selling pressure that gripped the overall market. The high trading volume suggests that investors engaged in profit-booking or de-risking their portfolios.

Ganesha Ecosphere Ltd (+7.58%)

Ganesha Ecosphere was a standout performer, rallying over 7.5% in a deeply negative market. The stock saw significant buying interest and high trading volumes without a specific news catalyst mentioned. This strong upward move against the market trend suggests positive company-specific developments or strong investor conviction.

Market Overview

It was a day of intense selling on Dalal Street, with benchmark indices closing near their day's lows. The Sensex ended at 72,241.91, down 1.82%, while the Nifty 50 settled at 22,425.30, a fall of 1.73%. The market's fear gauge, India VIX, jumped by 6%, indicating rising volatility and investor anxiety. The sell-off was broad-based, as reflected in the advance-decline ratio, where decliners outnumbered advancers by nearly four to one.

Sectoral performance was largely negative, with the Nifty Bank, Auto, FMCG, and Realty indices falling between 1.5% and 3%. The only sectors to withstand the onslaught were Metal and Oil & Gas, which closed with gains. The sharp fall in banking heavyweights like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank was a major contributor to the headline indices' decline.

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