Top Traded by Volume Today 18-Aug-2026: NSE Buzz

Introduction

Nifty 50 closed at 24,213.75, down 0.62%, while the Sensex settled at 77,395.82, lower by 0.79% on 18 Aug 2026. Market breadth stayed negative with about 1,733 shares advancing versus 2,167 declining, indicating selling pressure was broader than the index move. IT led the sectoral drag with Nifty IT down about 1.87%-1.88%, while auto and media held up with gains of over 0.5% and oil and gas and pharma also traded higher. FII and DII flow data was not available in the provided market context.

Large Cap Top Traded by Volume

Vodafone Idea Ltd (+3.07%) Vodafone Idea surged on the back of recently reported June 2026 quarter updates, with standalone net sales reported at Rs 11,539 crore, up 5.81% year-on-year. The revenue growth reinforced the market’s view that operating momentum is improving, which translated into aggressive trading activity and follow-through buying. The stock also extended its multi-day upmove and traded heavily at 84.86 crore shares, consistent with momentum participation.

Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd (-2.52%) Billionbrains Garage Ventures fell despite being among the most active stocks, as the session saw a sharp spike in volumes that coincided with a price drop, pointing to profit-taking and supply at higher levels. The stock’s intraday move stayed within the Rs 190.70-198.55 band mentioned in the context, suggesting active churn rather than a one-way move. With no specific company update provided, the price decline alongside unusually heavy volumes indicates traders used liquidity to cut positions.

Adani Power Ltd (+0.29%) Adani Power edged up in a weak tape and remained heavily traded, indicating rotation and positioning in power and energy-linked names even as frontline indices fell. The broader context highlighted crude-led uncertainty and mixed sectoral moves, and Adani Power’s marginal gain suggests buyers defended the stock on dips. The 2.06 crore-share volume points to sustained participation even though the price change was limited.

HDFC Bank Ltd (-0.93%) HDFC Bank slipped as bank stocks remained under pressure, with the Nifty Bank in the red during the session and PSU banks also declining in the sectoral snapshot. The stock traded near its 52-week low zone (52-week low at Rs 722), and such levels often trigger tighter risk controls and stop-loss activity, keeping the stock among the most traded. High turnover at 1.89 crore shares also reflected institutional churn as investors recalibrated exposure amid a risk-off session.

Eternal Ltd (-0.58%) Eternal declined modestly amid negative market breadth, with the session characterised by more declines than advances across the broader market. With no specific company catalyst provided, the high volume suggests active rebalancing rather than a news-driven move. The stock’s mild fall alongside heavy trading fits the day’s pattern of selective buying but overall cautious positioning.

Mid Cap Top Traded by Volume

Suzlon Energy Ltd (-2.31%) Suzlon Energy fell on heavy volumes, suggesting profit-taking after a strong run, especially since it remains well above its 52-week low (Rs 38.17) and has a recent peak at Rs 61.59. In a session where benchmarks closed lower and breadth was negative, higher beta midcaps often see faster de-risking, which can amplify volume and downside. The 6.54 crore-share turnover underscored active short-term repositioning.

Yes Bank Ltd (-1.88%) Yes Bank declined with elevated trading activity as investors cut exposure to banking names amid a cautious day for financials, with Nifty Bank marginally lower in the broader market snapshot. With no company-specific announcement provided, the combination of a drop and 5.29 crore shares traded points to traders using liquidity to reduce risk. The move also aligned with the session’s broader negative breadth.

NMDC Ltd (-0.95%) NMDC slipped as PSU and cyclicals saw selective selling during a market-wide decline, keeping the stock among the most active by volume. In the absence of a specific company trigger in the provided inputs, the move appears driven by portfolio-level risk reduction rather than fresh fundamentals. The 1.90 crore volume signals heightened participation even for a sub-1% move.

Hindustan Copper Ltd (-1.07%) Hindustan Copper traded lower on a high-volume session, reflecting profit booking and reduced risk appetite in cyclicals as the benchmarks closed in the red. With no fresh company update cited, the decline alongside 1.65 crore shares traded suggests the market was focused on near-term positioning. The stock’s pullback came despite it remaining far above its 52-week low (Rs 226.25), which can attract both profit-taking and dip-buying flows.

Lenskart Solutions Ltd (+3.33%) Lenskart Solutions jumped as the stock moved closer to its 52-week high (Rs 638), a setup that often draws momentum traders and triggers fresh buy orders. The sharp uptick in price with 1.53 crore shares traded indicates demand was strong enough to absorb supply during a weak broader market. The near-breakout behaviour helped it stand out among midcap actives.

Small Cap Top Traded by Volume

Motisons Jewellers Ltd (+1.39%) Motisons Jewellers traded actively after its strong June 2026 quarter numbers highlighted in the context, with standalone net profit up 37.61% year-on-year to Rs 11.05 crore and sales up 23.30% to Rs 107.33 crore. The earnings improvement supported follow-through interest even after recent volatility, keeping it among the top volume names. Turnover remained exceptionally high at 13.80 crore shares, signalling continued positioning around the results.

Cupid Ltd (+5.50%) Cupid rallied sharply on heavy volumes as the stock saw a rebound move after recent sharp swings mentioned in the context, attracting short-term traders. The price rise also took the stock closer to its 52-week high (Rs 298.95), which can intensify momentum participation. With 7.86 crore shares traded, the move reflected strong dip-buying and rapid repositioning rather than a low-liquidity spike.

PC Jeweller Ltd (-1.63%) PC Jeweller fell despite a positive revenue update cited in the context, with standalone June 2026 net sales reported at Rs 803.82 crore, up 10.89% year-on-year. The decline suggests traders booked profits or sold into the update, especially given the stock’s history of high volatility and the risk-off market close. Heavy activity at 6.93 crore shares indicates the session was dominated by short-term flows despite the sales growth headline.

Welspun Living Ltd (+5.53%) Welspun Living jumped and traded near its 52-week high zone (52-week high at Rs 182.80), a level that often triggers technical buying and stop-in orders. The stock’s rise alongside 5.69 crore shares traded points to momentum-led participation in smallcaps even as benchmarks were lower. The proximity to the 52-week peak helped sustain the bid through the session.

Physicswallah Ltd (+1.92%) Physicswallah advanced on strong volumes, indicating active accumulation and trading interest despite a weak broader market. With no specific corporate announcement provided in the inputs, the move is best explained by technical and positioning-driven buying as the stock held gains into the close. The 5.42 crore-share turnover confirms it remained a key focus among smallcap actives.

Market Overview

Indian equities ended lower on 18 Aug 2026, with the Nifty 50 closing at 24,213.75 (down 0.62%) and the Sensex at 77,395.82 (down 0.79%). The selling was broad-based as reflected in negative breadth, with roughly 1,733 advances against 2,167 declines, while India VIX was reported higher, signalling increased near-term uncertainty.

Sector trends were mixed. IT was the biggest drag with Nifty IT down about 1.87%-1.88%, while realty and FMCG also declined and PSU banks were lower, keeping pressure on the headline indices. Auto and media outperformed with gains of over 0.5%, and oil and gas and pharma traded higher, aligning with the session narrative that investors were selectively rotating rather than exiting across the board.

The macro backdrop in the provided context pointed to geopolitical headwinds and a sharp rise in crude oil prices amid West Asia tensions, which contributed to risk management and sectoral divergence. Against this backdrop, the day’s most active stocks by volume showed a blend of earnings-led action (Vodafone Idea, Motisons Jewellers, PC Jeweller) and technical and liquidity-driven churn in high-participation names.

Explore More Market Movers

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