Top Traded by Value Today 18-Aug-2026: Key Stocks
Introduction
Nifty 50 closed at 24,287.65 (-0.32%) while the Sensex ended at 77,728.16 (-0.36%) on 18 Aug 2026, as losses in IT and financials outweighed pockets of strength in auto and select defensives. Market breadth stayed negative with 1,733 stocks advancing against 2,139 declines (140 unchanged). Nifty IT was among the sharpest sectoral drags (about -1.8%), while auto and media indices finished in the green, shaping where high value turnover concentrated.
Large Cap Top Traded by Value
Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd (-2.52%) The stock fell despite being the most value-traded large cap, with trading activity pointing to a supply-heavy session rather than a fundamentals-driven trigger. Exchange data showed a sharp volume spike versus the recent average, and the price stayed weak through the session range, keeping the stock below nearby reference levels highlighted in market trackers. The combination of a gap-down tone and exceptionally high turnover helped explain why the stock dominated the value charts even on a down day.
BSE Ltd (-0.72%) BSE extended its recent decline with another down session, in line with reports that it has been falling for multiple consecutive sessions. The stock also saw unusually high trading volumes versus its recent trend, suggesting active repositioning as it trades materially below its 52-week high (₹4,446.80). The heavy turnover kept it among the top traded-by-value names even as the price slipped.
Reliance Industries Ltd (+0.08%) Reliance ended nearly flat but featured in the top value list due to consistently high participation in a benchmark-heavy counter during a weak market close. Oil and gas was relatively steadier versus IT and financials through the day, and Reliance traded in a tight intraday band, limiting the price move while still generating large turnover. The stock’s large base and high volumes kept it prominent on traded value.
HDFC Bank Ltd (-0.93%) HDFC Bank declined as banking counters faced pressure during the session, with the Nifty Bank index also in the red intraday. The stock closed near its 52-week low zone (₹722.00) after a heavy-volume session, indicating investors used liquidity to cut exposure in large financials. Its high free float and index weight drove elevated traded value despite the drop.
Bharti Airtel Ltd (-1.75%) Bharti Airtel fell more than the broader indices, and it was cited among the day’s notable large-cap losers during the slide in benchmarks. With no fresh company-specific update provided, the move reflected sustained selling in an index heavyweight that remains off its 52-week high (₹2,174.70). Higher turnover suggests the decline was driven by active institutional rebalancing rather than thin trading.
Mid Cap Top Traded by Value
Tube Investments of India Ltd (+8.61%) Tube Investments rallied sharply on a session when the Nifty Auto index was among the few gainers, aiding rotation into auto-linked names despite a weak broader market. The move came with strong traded value and healthy volumes, indicating the rise was participation-led rather than a low-liquidity spike. The stock remains below its 52-week high (₹3,419.10), but the magnitude of the up move pushed it to the top of the mid-cap value list.
Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (+3.25%) MCX gained and stayed heavily traded as commodity-linked plays drew attention amid rising India VIX and active derivatives participation in the market. The stock’s push above the ₹3,000 zone, alongside high volumes, contributed to the traded value spike. With no specific company update provided here, the price action suggests momentum-driven buying in an exchange counter.
Indo-MIM Ltd (+10.00%) Indo-MIM surged 10% and closed at its 52-week high (₹951.30), a classic trigger for breakout-driven buying and stop-loss covering. The one-day jump came with over 1 crore shares traded, underscoring strong follow-through once the stock hit a new high. The fresh 52-week high acted as the key catalyst visible in the data.
Lenskart Solutions Ltd (+3.33%) Lenskart advanced while trading near its 52-week high (₹638.00), with high volumes keeping it among the most value-traded mid caps. With no fresh news in the provided feed, the move appears linked to continuation buying as the stock holds close to the top of its yearly range. Elevated turnover indicates the rise was backed by sizeable market participation.
Hindustan Copper Ltd (-1.07%) Hindustan Copper slipped even as the broader tape was mixed, suggesting stock-specific profit-taking within the session’s high-activity list. The counter still saw very large volumes, which typically points to two-way institutional trading rather than a quiet drift. The stock remains well below its 52-week high (₹759.20), and the decline indicates sellers were active at current levels.
Small Cap Top Traded by Value
Cupid Ltd (+5.50%) Cupid jumped with very large volumes, keeping it at the top of the small-cap traded-by-value list. With no fresh company announcement provided, the key visible driver is the stock’s continued high-volatility trend and active churn, as highlighted by the multi-crore share turnover. The move also followed a sharp recent swing in price (as reflected in market trackers), encouraging short-term positioning.
Netweb Technologies India Ltd (+2.77%) Netweb rose after the company approved the opening of its Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) and fixed the floor price at ₹4,885.90 per share, as per disclosures dated 17 Aug. Investors typically react to a QIP launch by repricing near-term supply expectations and fundraising visibility, and the stock still moved up as it traded close to a fresh 52-week high zone. The combination of the QIP headline and a near-record price kept turnover elevated.
Molbio Diagnostics Ltd (+7.55%) Molbio Diagnostics climbed sharply with heavy volumes, signalling aggressive buying in a high-beta counter within a mixed market. In the absence of a specific news trigger in the provided feed, the move is best explained by momentum chasing as the stock traded closer to its 52-week high (₹1,175.00). The large traded volume suggests the rally was supported by broad participation.
Dhoot Transmission Ltd (+10.00%) Dhoot Transmission hit a 10% rise and closed at its 52-week high (₹1,306.25), indicating a breakout day that typically draws technical buyers. The stock also logged over 1 crore shares in volume, reinforcing that the move was liquidity-backed rather than a low-float spike. The data suggests a likely upper-circuit type move with strong follow-through.
Jindal Drilling & Industries Ltd (+11.02%) Jindal Drilling surged over 11% with very high volumes, aligning with the day’s relative resilience in oil and gas-linked pockets even as benchmarks slipped. With no company-specific bulletin provided, the key observable driver is a high-momentum up move backed by nearly 2 crore shares traded, pointing to strong risk-on positioning in the counter. The stock remains below its 52-week high (₹693.95), but the sharp rise pushed it into the most value-traded list.
Market Overview
Nifty 50 ended at 24,287.65, down 78.35 points (-0.32%), while the Sensex settled at 77,728.16, lower by 281.09 points (-0.36%). Market breadth remained negative through the day, with about 1,733 advances versus 2,139 declines, reflecting wider risk-off positioning even as select pockets saw strong individual moves.
On sectors, IT remained the biggest drag with Nifty IT down about 1.8%, while realty and PSU banks also stayed under pressure in parts of the session. Auto and media outperformed, helping explain the sharp move and strong traded value in Tube Investments even on a weak market day. India VIX rose about 2.47%, consistent with heightened hedging activity and active turnover in exchange and high-beta names.
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