The Indian stock market is expected to open on a cautious note on Friday, August 22, 2025, as traders eye global cues and await the US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell’s speech at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium. Both Nifty 50 and Sensex are likely to witness range-bound movement with key support and resistance levels defining the day’s trade.
Gift Nifty Indicates Tepid Start
The early trends from the Gift Nifty suggested a soft opening for the Indian benchmark indices. The Gift Nifty was trading around 25,084 level, marking a discount of nearly 38 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close. This indicates that investors remain cautious ahead of Powell’s remarks, which could provide clarity on the Fed’s interest rate trajectory.
Sensex Today: Key Levels to Watch
The Sensex formed a small candle on daily charts, reflecting indecisiveness between bulls and bears. Analysts believe the broader market trend continues to be upward, but intraday volatility may dominate the session.
- On the downside, key support zones are placed at 81,700 and 81,500.
- On the upside, crucial resistance levels are pegged at 82,300 and 82,500.
According to Shrikant Chouhan, Head of Equity Research at Kotak Securities, “The larger market trend remains bullish. However, day traders should adopt a strategy of buying on intraday corrections and selling on rallies. If Sensex slips below 81,500, it may trigger profit booking and traders could exit long positions.”
Sensex Prediction for August 22
- Support Levels: 81,700 – 81,500
- Resistance Levels: 82,300 – 82,500
- Trading Strategy: Buy on dips, sell on rallies
Nifty 50 Today: Options Data Signals Resistance
In the derivatives segment, open interest (OI) data provides insights into trader sentiment.
- The highest call OI was recorded at the 25,300 strike price, signaling strong resistance around this level.
- The highest put OI was concentrated at the 25,000 strike price, suggesting a strong support base.
This positioning highlights that Nifty 50 may face hurdles near 25,300, but a sustained close above this level could fuel fresh bullish momentum.
Amruta Shinde, Technical & Derivative Analyst at Choice Equity Broking, stated, “For Nifty, 25,300 remains a critical resistance zone. A decisive close above this level can strengthen bullish sentiment, whereas failure to hold 25,000 support could trigger downside pressure.”
Nifty OI Data Analysis
- Call OI Resistance: 25,300
- Put OI Support: 25,000
- Sentiment: Cautious optimism with focus on Powell’s speech
Global Cues to Drive Market Sentiment
The spotlight for global investors remains on the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, where US Fed Chair Jerome Powell is expected to give his outlook on inflation and monetary policy. Any hint of prolonged high interest rates could dampen market sentiment worldwide, including in India.
Additionally, movements in the US Dollar Index, crude oil prices, and bond yields will influence trading activity in Indian equities.
Key Global Factors to Watch
- Powell’s speech on interest rates
- US Dollar Index trends
- Crude oil price fluctuations
- FII and DII flows into Indian markets
Broader Market Outlook
While Sensex and Nifty 50 may start weak, the larger trend for Indian equities continues to be positive, supported by:
- Strong corporate earnings in Q1 FY26
- Robust foreign institutional investor (FII) inflows in recent weeks
- Healthy domestic macroeconomic data, including GST collections and PMI growth
However, short-term volatility is expected due to global uncertainties.
Stock Market Strategy for Traders Today
Market experts suggest that traders adopt a balanced approach with a focus on key technical levels.
Intraday Trading Tips for August 22
- Nifty 50: Buy on dips near 25,000 with stop-loss at 24,930; resistance at 25,300.
- Sensex: Buy near 81,700–81,500 levels; resistance at 82,500.
- Avoid aggressive positions ahead of Powell’s speech.
- Focus on sectors such as banking, IT, and FMCG for intraday gains.
Sectoral Outlook
- Banking stocks may witness buying interest as credit growth continues to remain strong.
- IT stocks could stay under pressure due to global uncertainty and weak Nasdaq cues.
- FMCG and pharma stocks may act as defensive bets amid volatility.
- Metal stocks may see movement depending on China’s demand outlook.
Key Points to Remember for Today’s Market
- Indian stock market likely to open lower on August 22.
- Gift Nifty signals cautious start around 25,084.
- Sensex support: 81,700–81,500; resistance: 82,300–82,500.
- Nifty support: 25,000; resistance: 25,300.
- Traders should buy on dips and sell on rallies.
- US Fed’s Powell speech at Jackson Hole is the key global event to watch.
Conclusion
The Nifty 50 and Sensex today (August 22) are expected to trade with a cautious tone amid mixed global cues. While the larger market structure remains positive, short-term volatility cannot be ruled out, especially ahead of Jerome Powell’s speech. Traders should remain vigilant around key support and resistance levels and adopt a disciplined approach to minimize risk.
The coming sessions will be crucial in determining whether Nifty 50 can sustain above 25,300 and Sensex above 82,500, which would pave the way for the next leg of the bull rally in the Indian stock market.
