Top Traded by Volume Today 18-Mar-2026: Most Active Stocks

Indian equity markets witnessed a day of high activity in specific counters on March 18, 2026, even as broader indices showed mixed trends. Market breadth was negative, with 2,248 stocks advancing against 18,212 declining, indicating widespread selling pressure. Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) continued their selling streak, with net sales of ₹4,741.22 crore on the previous day, influencing market sentiment. Despite this, stocks in the telecom, power, and PSU sectors dominated the volume charts, driven by significant company-specific developments.

Large Cap Top Traded by Volume

Eternal Ltd (+3.37%)

Eternal Ltd was among the most actively traded large-cap stocks, with a volume of 7.79 crore shares. The stock gained significantly, driven by strong buying interest and renewed investor participation. The high trading volume accompanied by a positive price move suggests a strong accumulation pattern.

Tata Steel Ltd (-0.05%)

Tata Steel recorded a high trading volume of 3.15 crore shares but closed nearly flat. This indicates a day of consolidation where significant buying and selling activity occurred without a clear directional trend. The high volume suggests active participation from institutional investors.

Adani Power Ltd (-0.90%)

Adani Power witnessed substantial trading activity with over 3.01 crore shares changing hands. The stock closed with a minor loss, suggesting that selling pressure was met with comparable buying interest. The high volume reflects continued investor focus on the power sector.

Wipro Ltd (+1.65%)

Wipro saw robust trading volumes of 2.50 crore shares, closing the day with healthy gains. The move was fueled by strong investor participation amidst positive momentum in the broader IT space. The high volume indicates significant interest in the stock at current levels.

HDFC Bank Ltd (-0.34%)

HDFC Bank was a volume leader with 2.46 crore shares traded, though it ended the day with a marginal decline. The high volume points to significant activity from institutional investors. The price action suggests a balanced tussle between buyers and sellers throughout the session.

Mid Cap Top Traded by Volume

Vodafone Idea Ltd (+2.16%)

Vodafone Idea was the most traded stock across exchanges, with a massive volume of over 53 crore shares. The heightened investor activity follows a recent credit rating upgrade by ICRA on March 4, which revised the company's long-term loans to 'BBB' with a 'Positive' outlook. This upgrade has boosted investor confidence in the telecom operator's financial stability, leading to sustained buying interest.

Yes Bank Ltd (+1.61%)

Yes Bank continued to be a high-volume counter, with nearly 7 crore shares traded. The stock registered a modest gain, reflecting sustained interest from retail and institutional investors. The consistent high volume indicates the stock remains a popular choice for traders.

Suzlon Energy Ltd (+2.04%)

Suzlon Energy saw significant trading volume of 6.10 crore shares as it closed with gains of over 2%. The activity in the stock is likely linked to a broader interest in the renewable energy sector. The combination of high volume and positive price action points to strong investor demand.

IDBI Bank Ltd (+1.22%)

IDBI Bank was actively traded with over 4 crore shares changing hands, resulting in a gain of 1.22%. The high volume suggests heightened investor interest, possibly driven by ongoing developments in the banking sector and anticipation around its strategic plans. The stock's liquidity continues to attract traders.

NHPC Ltd (+0.66%)

PSU power generator NHPC recorded a high trading volume of 2.97 crore shares, closing with a marginal gain. The continued high trading volumes in the stock reflect persistent investor interest in the power and PSU themes. The stock remains a key focus in the sector.

Small Cap Top Traded by Volume

Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd (+7.30%)

Jaiprakash Power Ventures surged on the back of exceptionally high trading volume of 27.50 crore shares. The rally occurred despite negative news for its associate company, Jaiprakash Associates, which is set to be delisted. This suggests investors are delinking the two entities, leading to a relief rally in JPVL on speculative buying.

Urban Company Ltd (+10.33%)

Urban Company rallied over 10% after news that SBI Mutual Fund acquired a 4% stake in the company through bulk deals. This vote of confidence from a major domestic institution significantly boosted investor sentiment. The positive news overshadowed selling pressure from the recent expiry of a shareholder lock-in period, leading to massive volumes of 14.60 crore shares.

Trident Ltd (+10.86%)

Trident Ltd saw a sharp rally of nearly 11% accompanied by a huge volume of 14.07 crore shares. The surge appears to be a technical breakout, as the stock attracted strong buying momentum after a period of consolidation. The exceptional volume indicates a renewed and aggressive investor interest in the textile company.

MMTC Ltd (+18.65%)

MMTC locked in at its upper circuit limit after a massive surge in trading volume, which stood at 12.92 crore shares. The sharp rally in the PSU trading company was driven by a sudden burst of buying interest. This move reflects strong speculative momentum, possibly linked to a broader re-rating of PSU stocks.

Ola Electric Mobility Ltd (+5.34%)

Ola Electric Mobility gained over 5% with high trading volumes of 9.03 crore shares. The stock's performance was driven by strong investor interest in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The high volume suggests active participation as investors bet on the growth prospects of the EV market.

Market Overview

The Indian stock market displayed a mixed performance on March 18, 2026, with high trading volumes concentrated in specific stocks rather than a broad-based rally. The overall market breadth was decidedly negative, with a high number of declining stocks compared to advancers, signaling underlying weakness. This was further compounded by net outflows from Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), who sold equities worth ₹4,741.22 crore in the previous session, maintaining pressure on the markets.

Despite the cautious broader sentiment, several sectors witnessed significant investor activity. The telecom sector was in the limelight, led by Vodafone Idea, which saw massive volumes following a positive credit rating action. The power sector also remained a focal point for traders, with both PSU and private players like Jaiprakash Power and NHPC featuring in the top volume gainers. Additionally, select small-cap stocks saw explosive moves driven by company-specific news, such as institutional buying and technical breakouts, highlighting a stock-picker's market environment.

Explore More Market Movers

Readers can explore the complete list of market movers here:

https://www.multibagg.ai/market-movers/top-gainers