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

Introduction

Nifty 50 closed at 23,648.00 (+0.02%) while the Sensex ended at 75,263.30 (+0.03%) on 18 May 2026, after both indices recovered sharply from the day’s lows. Market breadth on the Nifty was tilted negative with 23 advances and 27 declines, even as IT stocks outperformed with gains of over 2% in the session. Despite the flat headline close, trading activity was concentrated in telecom, metals, banks and power names, with Vodafone Idea alone seeing massive share churn. FII and DII flow data was not available in the provided market context.

Large Cap Top Traded by Volume

Vodafone Idea Ltd (-0.46%) Vodafone Idea slipped despite heavy volumes as investors digested its Q4 swing to a reported profit of Rs 51,986 crore that was driven by a one-time AGR accounting gain. With revenue up 2% to Rs 11,332 crore and ARPU rising to Rs 190, the stock saw two-way trade and profit-taking near its 52-week high (Rs 13.04) after last week’s Aditya Birla Group warrant infusion announcement (Rs 4,730 crore at Rs 11).

Tata Steel Ltd (-3.21%) Tata Steel fell with high participation as the metal pack stayed under pressure, with other large metal names also seeing declines in the session. The stock’s drop came alongside broad risk-off positioning in cyclicals, keeping volumes elevated even as the benchmark indices ended nearly flat.

Punjab National Bank (-2.45%) Punjab National Bank declined as PSU banking counters faced selling, with other large financial names also weak in the day’s trade. The stock’s high volume suggested active unwinding and rotation within banks amid a choppy session for frontline financials.

Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd (-1.97%) Billionbrains Garage Ventures slipped on heavy churn after trading close to its recent peak zone, indicating profit-taking into liquidity. With no specific company announcement provided, the price action pointed to supply emerging near the upper end of its 52-week range (52-week high Rs 193.91).

Adani Power Ltd (-0.90%) Adani Power eased as power and utility-linked names saw pressure, reflected in notable declines in other large power counters during the session. The stock’s high traded volume indicated active repositioning after recent moves, even as the broader market recovered from intraday lows.

Mid Cap Top Traded by Volume

Yes Bank Ltd (-1.18%) Yes Bank drifted lower amid heightened activity as banking stocks traded mixed and volatility remained high through the session. With no fresh company-specific news provided, the volume-led move suggested short-term positioning and profit-taking after recent swings in the stock.

Suzlon Energy Ltd (-1.02%) Suzlon Energy slipped as traders booked profits following recent momentum, keeping the counter among the most active mid-caps by volume. With no specific announcement cited in the provided inputs, the move appeared driven by technical selling after the stock failed to sustain higher intraday levels.

Steel Authority of India Ltd (-1.17%) SAIL declined in line with broader weakness in metal stocks during the session, which kept participation elevated across the sector. The stock traded near its 52-week high zone (Rs 195.00), and the pullback reflected caution on cyclical names despite the late index recovery.

NHPC Ltd (+1.17%) NHPC gained as investors rotated into select power generation names even while some large utility counters remained under pressure. The stock’s positive close on strong volumes indicated dip-buying and preference for defensives within the power space during a range-bound market.

IDFC First Bank Ltd (+0.01%) IDFC First Bank ended flat but stayed active as the market saw sharp intraday swings and mixed moves across financials. In the absence of a specific news trigger in the provided context, the high volume suggested sustained two-way trade around the Rs 67 level.

Small Cap Top Traded by Volume

Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd (-2.71%) Jaiprakash Power Ventures fell on heavy volumes after market commentary flagged weaker recent financial performance, including a reported quarterly loss versus a year-ago profit (as per the provided web context). The negative reaction reflected concerns around earnings quality and the sustainability of profitability, keeping the stock under pressure despite high retail participation.

Fineotex Chemical Ltd (+19.99%) Fineotex Chemical hit the upper circuit after reporting strong audited Q4 FY26 results, with consolidated revenue at Rs 313.73 crore (+162% YoY) and PAT at Rs 43.79 crore (+118%). The company also filed its Q4 and FY2025-26 investor presentation, and the sharp earnings print drove aggressive re-rating trades alongside a surge in volumes.

GTL Infrastructure Ltd (-3.70%) GTL Infrastructure slipped as high-volume trading continued in the low-priced counter, indicating speculative churn and quick profit-taking. With no fresh company update provided, the move looked driven by technical volatility typical of penny stocks, especially near key round levels.

HFCL Ltd (-5.71%) HFCL declined sharply with elevated volumes as traders cut exposure after the stock failed to hold closer to its recent highs (52-week high Rs 155.45). In the absence of a specific news catalyst in the provided inputs, the fall suggested a technical breakdown and risk reduction in the broader telecom and networking equipment pocket.

Reliance Power Ltd (-1.58%) Reliance Power eased as selling in power-linked names persisted in parts of the market, keeping the counter active by volume. With no company-specific announcement provided, the move appeared tied to sector-wide positioning and short-term trading flows.

Market Overview

Indian equities ended nearly unchanged after a sharp intraday comeback, with Nifty 50 closing at 23,648.00 (+0.02%) and Sensex at 75,263.30 (+0.03%). The session saw a strong rebound of over 300 points on the Nifty from the day’s low, but the advance-decline on the Nifty remained negative (23 advances, 27 declines), indicating the recovery was not broad-based.

IT stocks led the late pullback in the indices, with large names such as Tech Mahindra and Infosys cited as top contributors in the provided market context. In contrast, cyclicals and utilities saw pressure in pockets of the market, with notable weakness referenced in Tata Steel and Power Grid during the session.

Trading activity remained concentrated in a handful of high-liquidity counters, with Vodafone Idea dominating overall volumes as investors assessed its Q4 numbers and capital-raising developments. No macroeconomic event triggers and no FII or DII flow figures were provided in the supplied context for the day.

Explore More Market Movers

Readers can explore the complete list of market movers here: https://www.multibagg.ai/market-movers/top-gainers