Top Traded by Value Today 26-May-2026: Key NSE Stocks

Introduction

Indian equities traded lower as geopolitical risk returned to the fore, with Nifty 50 at 22,331.40 (-2.14%) and the Sensex near 76,011.09 (-0.62%) in late trade as risk appetite weakened after reports of renewed US-Iran tensions. Sector performance was broad-based on the downside, with Bank Nifty (-3.82%) and Nifty Financial Services (-3.49%) among the biggest drags, which also pushed banking heavyweights into the top traded by value list. In contrast, pockets of strength were visible in select power and defence-linked counters, reflected in high turnover names such as Adani Power and defence smallcaps.

Large Cap Top Traded by Value

Adani Power Ltd (+4.73%) Adani Power climbed after the stock extended its two-day run and hit a new record high, as highlighted in a 26 May database update tracking the sharp momentum move. The same report noted the stock had gained 12% in two sessions to around Rs 245 and was up sharply from its February lows, which encouraged incremental buying despite a weak tape. Trading activity remained elevated, with the counter printing near its 52-week high (Rs 245.65) on heavy volumes.

Hitachi Energy India Ltd (+1.23%) Hitachi Energy advanced even as benchmarks slipped, with investors continuing to pay up for power equipment names that have been holding near their highs. The stock ended just below its 52-week high (Rs 36,766), keeping momentum traders engaged in a volatile session. Its presence among top value traded large caps also reflected sustained institutional participation in high-priced engineering names.

HDFC Bank Ltd (-1.00%) HDFC Bank slipped as selling pressure intensified across lenders, aligning with the sharp fall in Bank Nifty (-3.82%) and Nifty Financial Services (-3.49%). With banks among the largest weights in the indices, investors booked profits and cut exposure as global risk sentiment weakened on renewed US-Iran tensions. High turnover underscored active repositioning in frontline financials rather than a stock-specific trigger.

ICICI Bank Ltd (-0.96%) ICICI Bank declined in a broader banking selloff, despite a recent stock-specific positive development. On 25 May, the database flagged that the RBI approved Sandeep Bakshi's reappointment as MD and CEO for two more years starting October 2026, a move that supports leadership continuity and had driven a prior-day rise. On 26 May, the stock saw profit-taking as the sector corrected, keeping it among the most traded by value.

Reliance Industries Ltd (-0.73%) Reliance Industries eased in line with the risk-off tone and a softer Nifty Energy index (-1.04%) as investors reduced exposure to index heavyweights. The stock's high traded value was primarily a function of its large weight and steady institutional churn during a down session. There was no company-specific news in the provided dataset to explain the move.

Mid Cap Top Traded by Value

Adani Total Gas Ltd (+8.22%) Adani Total Gas surged as the stock saw a sharp momentum burst with strong participation, with the provided market timeline noting a move to around Rs 731.40 with significant trading volumes. The rally pushed the stock closer to its 52-week high (Rs 797.40), drawing follow-on interest from short-term traders. The counter's high value turnover reflected aggressive buying during the breakout move.

Ather Energy Ltd (+3.22%) Ather Energy rose on heavy turnover as investors continued to position around liquid EV-linked names, with the stock trading near the upper end of its 52-week range (52-week high Rs 989.40). The move was supported by strong volumes (95.91 lakh shares), indicating active accumulation rather than a low-liquidity price spike. No specific company news was provided in the dataset for the day.

Steel Authority of India Ltd (+3.06%) SAIL gained as metal stocks remained in focus during the session, supported by intra-day sector leadership noted in the market context. The stock moved towards its 52-week high (Rs 209.70), which can attract incremental buying as it approaches a key reference level. Volumes stayed strong at 3.68 crore shares, keeping it among the top traded by value midcaps.

Suzlon Energy Ltd (+1.32%) Suzlon edged higher on very high volumes (18.26 crore shares), indicating active trading interest in the renewable energy space despite a weak broader market. With no stock-specific news in the provided dataset, the move appeared driven by liquidity and tactical positioning in high-beta clean energy names. The counter continued to feature in the top value traded list due to sustained churn.

Multi Commodity Exchange of India Ltd (-0.11%) MCX was largely flat, but remained among the top value traded names as traders focused on commodity-linked platforms amid heightened geopolitical headlines. The renewed US-Iran tensions raised attention on commodity price volatility, which typically lifts trading activity in exchange counters even when the stock price is steady. No company-specific announcement was provided in the dataset.

Small Cap Top Traded by Value

Marksans Pharma Ltd (+15.53%) Marksans Pharma spiked on heavy volumes (3.95 crore shares), with the rally taking the stock closer to its 52-week high (Rs 270.60). The size of the move alongside strong turnover indicates an event-driven or positioning-led re-rating, although no specific company news was provided in the dataset to attribute a single catalyst. The counter also featured prominently in value turnover due to the sharp price change and high liquidity.

Astra Microwave Products Ltd (+9.64%) Astra Microwave jumped as defence-linked smallcaps stayed in focus after a policy signal supporting a bigger role for private players in the sector. The database item dated 25 May specifically noted shares of Apollo Micro and other private defence firms rising after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pushed for greater private sector participation, which helped extend momentum into related names. Astra traded near its 52-week high (Rs 1,389.85) on strong volumes, reinforcing the breakout trade.

Apollo Micro Systems Ltd (+0.32%) Apollo Micro Systems held near Rs 412 after a sharp prior-day surge, with the database citing a defence-sector catalyst: Rajnath Singh's push for a larger private sector role in defence. Separately, a 25 May database note flagged strong volume action and referenced a record order book of Rs 21,200 crore, which has been underpinning investor expectations of sustained execution. On 26 May, the modest gain alongside 7.24 crore shares traded suggested consolidation at elevated levels rather than a reversal.

Pine Labs Ltd (-5.82%) Pine Labs fell sharply as the stock traded close to its 52-week low (Rs 135.80), typically a level that triggers stop-loss selling and risk reduction. The decline came on very high volumes (8.53 crore shares), pointing to aggressive distribution and unwinding. No specific company news was provided in the dataset to link the move to a single event.

HFCL Ltd (-0.58%) HFCL slipped marginally as traders booked profits after a strong momentum phase flagged in the database. A 25 May database "volume buzzers" note mentioned HFCL and Apollo Micro surging up to 13% on strong volume, setting up a typical next-session cooldown. Despite the small decline, turnover stayed high at 7.69 crore shares, keeping the stock among the top traded by value.

Market Overview

Benchmarks weakened through the session as global risk sentiment deteriorated following reports of renewed US action on Iran, prompting a defensive shift and broad-based selling in high-weight sectors. On the sectoral dashboard shared, financials bore the brunt, with Nifty Bank down 3.82% and Nifty Financial Services down 3.49%, while other key sectors such as Auto (-2.39%), IT (-1.62%) and Realty (-2.84%) also ended lower.

The day also showed a clear divergence within high-turnover names: banking heavyweights like HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank saw high value churn amid sector de-risking, while select power and defence-linked stocks attracted incremental buying on stock-specific momentum and policy cues. No FII or DII flow numbers and no advance-decline data were provided in the dataset for 26 May.

Explore More Market Movers

Readers can explore the complete list of market movers here:

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