Bajaj Finance, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, Trent and Nestle India were among major gainers on NSE Nifty during early trades on Thursday. Markets were trading firm with NSE Nifty up by 153 points at the time of publication of this report. This week has been relatively strong for Indian markets and investor confidence is slowly returning. If Friday's close remains positive, we could see NSE Nifty around crucial 25,000 mark. TopNews Team has reviewed technical levels for buzzing stocks for day traders and short term investors.

Bajaj Finance: Technical Momentum Signals Fresh Upside

Greg Robinson here, and I've been tracking an intriguing development in India's non-banking financial sector that demands immediate attention. Bajaj Finance has orchestrated a compelling technical turnaround that suggests the worst may be behind this financial services heavyweight.

The numbers tell a story of resilience: Bajaj Finance surged 5.04% to close at Rs 896.30, marking one of its strongest single-session performances in recent months. What makes this particularly noteworthy is the context—this breakthrough comes after a relatively muted three-month decline of just 0.18%, indicating the stock has been building energy during a consolidation phase rather than experiencing fundamental deterioration.

The technical architecture supporting this move is remarkably robust. The stock has convincingly breached multiple resistance barriers, now trading 3.08% above its 20-day Simple Moving Average at Rs 923.95. More impressively, it has shattered through its second resistance level at Rs 910.53 and decisively crossed the third resistance threshold at Rs 929.33, currently positioned at Rs 929.40.

From a fundamental standpoint, the company maintains solid footing with a PE ratio of 31.74 and commands a substantial market capitalization of Rs 5,56,986 crores. The 52-week trading corridor spanning Rs 645.10 to Rs 978.80 suggests the current price level still offers meaningful runway toward the upper boundary.

Short-term momentum indicators paint an encouraging picture: weekly gains of 2.29% and monthly returns of 2.36% demonstrate sustained buying interest. However, investors should note the six-month beta of 1.4994, signaling higher volatility compared to broader market movements—a characteristic that has amplified both the recent downturn and current recovery.

Trent: Retail Giant Balances Growth Ambitions with Margin Pressures

The retail landscape presents a more nuanced narrative through Trent's recent quarterly performance, reflecting the complex dynamics facing India's consumption-driven economy. The company delivered Q1FY26 net profit growth of 9% year-over-year to Rs 425 crore, while revenue expanded at a healthier clip of 19% to Rs 4,883 crore.

What's particularly revealing about Trent's operational strategy is their disciplined approach to store expansion. The company opened one Westside store and eleven Zudio outlets during the quarter while simultaneously shuttering ten underperforming Zudio locations. This surgical approach to retail footprint optimization suggests management is prioritizing profitability over pure scale—a mature strategic stance in today's challenging retail environment.

Market sentiment, however, remains decidedly mixed. The stock has endured a 36% decline from its peak, though recent sessions show signs of stabilization with current gains of 1.24% to Rs 5,479.00. Weekly performance shows 3.48% gains and monthly returns register 5.77%, indicating some technical recovery momentum.

The analyst community reflects this uncertainty through divergent recommendations. Axis Securities maintains a BUY rating with a target price of Rs 6,570, while HDFC Securities takes a more conservative EQUAL WEIGHT stance with a target of Rs 4,200. This Rs 2,370 spread in target prices underscores the fundamental disagreement about Trent's near-term trajectory.

Valuation metrics present their own complexities: a PE ratio of 121.47 suggests premium market expectations, while the PB ratio of 34.46 indicates significant growth assumptions are already embedded in the current price. With a market capitalization of Rs 1,94,772 crores, Trent operates from a position of substantial scale within India's retail sector.

The company's 52-week range of Rs 4,488.00 to Rs 8,345.00 places current trading levels closer to the lower boundary, potentially offering value for patient, long-term investors willing to navigate near-term operational challenges.

Mahindra & Mahindra: Automotive Excellence Meets Institutional Confidence

In stark contrast to the mixed signals elsewhere, Mahindra & Mahindra has emerged as an unqualified success story, achieving new record highs in August 2025 following a decisive breakout from consolidation patterns. The stock has become a cornerstone performer within the BSE Auto Index, delivering gains between 25% and 50% in FY26 thus far.

The institutional endorsement has been particularly striking. Jefferies' Chris Wood executed a strategic portfolio reallocation, shifting funds to Mahindra & Mahindra after capturing a 183% rally in Aditya Birla Real Estate. Jefferies maintains an aggressive target price of Rs 4,200, citing robust earnings growth potential, SUV-led market share expansion, and attractive entry valuations.

The fundamental drivers supporting this optimism are substantial. Mahindra & Mahindra has established commanding leadership in India's SUV segment, a category experiencing robust domestic demand. Nomura has identified the company as a primary beneficiary of potential GST reductions on automobiles, alongside Maruti Suzuki, Ashok Leyland, and TVS Motor, with scenario analysis suggesting meaningful upside across various policy outcomes.

Current financial metrics reflect this market confidence: PE ratio of 23.89 and market capitalization of Rs 3.17 trillion position the company among India's most valuable automotive enterprises. The 52-week range spanning Rs 1,788.80 to Rs 3,270.95 demonstrates the stock's substantial appreciation trajectory, with analysts maintaining a one-year target estimate of Rs 3,575.14.

The company's beta of 1.05 suggests moderate volatility relative to broader market movements, indicating a more stable risk profile compared to many automotive peers. Recent corporate developments include strategic stake adjustments in Mahindra Last Mile Mobility Limited and ongoing employee stock option programs, reflecting continued organizational evolution and growth investment.

Sector Dynamics and Policy Implications

The automotive sector's resilience despite weak August sales figures demonstrates underlying structural strength, with auto stocks rallying up to 6% ahead of the GST council meeting. Mahindra & Mahindra, alongside Tata Motors and Eicher Motors, contributed to lifting the Nifty Auto index by 2.8%, suggesting broad-based optimism about policy support.

The potential for GST modifications represents a significant catalyst that could reshape cost structures across the automotive value chain. For Mahindra & Mahindra specifically, any reduction in tax burden could translate directly into improved margins or enhanced pricing competitiveness, particularly in the SUV segment where the company maintains market leadership.

Trade Considerations for Short Term Traders

These three securities represent distinct investment themes within India's evolving economic landscape. Bajaj Finance embodies financial services resilience with strong technical recovery patterns suggesting the consolidation phase may be concluding. The stock offers stability within the NBFC space while maintaining growth potential tied to India's credit expansion story.

Trent illustrates the retail sector's transformation challenges, where expansion ambitions must balance against margin pressures and changing consumer preferences. The company's strategic approach to store optimization and focus on tier-2 and tier-3 city expansion could drive long-term value creation, though near-term volatility appears likely.

Mahindra & Mahindra presents the clearest automotive sector opportunity, supported by strong institutional backing, policy tailwinds, and market leadership in growing SUV segments. The company's electric vehicle initiatives add another dimension to its growth narrative, positioning it for the broader transportation transition.