Experts Identify Six Stocks for Potential Short-Term Gains

Indian Stock Market Sees Nominal Gains as Investors Bet on Quality Stocks

The Indian stock market benchmarks ended with nominal gains on Monday, 18 May, on value buying in select IT heavyweights, even as crude oil prices remained higher and the rupee fell to fresh lows against the US dollar. The market is expected to witness positive momentum on Tuesday amid reports of US President Donald Trump pausing the Iran strike plan and signalling talks were on to resolve the Middle East conflict.

As the market sentiment remains cautious and geopolitical uncertainties persist, experts recommend betting on quality stocks with good fundamentals and sound technical indicators. According to Vishnu Kant Upadhyay of Master Capital Services and Aakash Shah of Choice Broking, the following six stocks are recommended to buy for the next 1-2 weeks.

Stock Picks for the Short Term

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IPCA Laboratories

• Previous close: ₹1,646.30
• Target price: ₹1,820
• Stop loss: ₹1,510

IPCA Laboratories is witnessing a strong bullish continuation after breaking out from a rounding formation with a notable expansion in volumes, indicating fresh accumulation. The stock has consistently formed higher highs and higher lows, reflecting a classic Dow Theory uptrend structure. Price action remains firmly positioned above all key moving averages, highlighting sustained trend strength across multiple time frames.

PB Fintech (Policybazaar)

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• Previous close: ₹1,748.30
• Target price: ₹1,920
• Stop loss: ₹1,630

PB Fintech is showing a strong technical reversal after delivering a decisive breakout above the ₹1,700 consolidation zone. The breakout has been supported by price reclaiming all major moving averages, indicating improvement in overall trend strength. Notably, the stock formed a bullish RSI divergence near the ₹1,400 lows, signalling weakening downside momentum before the current recovery.

Varun Beverages (VBL)

• Previous close: ₹511.50
• Target price: ₹560
• Stop loss: ₹473

Varun Beverages has broken above the falling trend line resistance near ₹484. The stock witnessed a healthy pullback toward the breakout zone, where support emerged around the 21 EMA, indicating sustained buying interest at lower levels. Price action continues to reflect strength through a sequence of higher highs and higher lows.

Bharti Airtel

• Previous close: ₹1,938.10
• Target price: ₹2,070
• Stop loss: ₹1,870

Bharti Airtel shares have recovered nearly 11.5% from their lower levels after taking support near the 100-week EMA, indicating strong buying interest and a positive long-term trend structure. The stock has also witnessed a strong close above the 200 DEMA in the daily chart, along with the formation of a bullish candle, which signals improving momentum and the possibility of further upside in the coming sessions.

Aster DM Healthcare

• Previous close: ₹755.25
• Target price: ₹810
• Stop loss: ₹728

Aster DM Healthcare has shown a strong reversal and formed a rounding bottom pattern, showcasing a gradual shift from bearish to bullish sentiment. The stock has also given a breakout above the pattern and successfully retested the breakout zone, suggesting strength in the ongoing uptrend and confirmation of bullish momentum.

Laurus Labs

• Previous close: ₹1,327.30
• Target price: ₹1,425
• Stop loss: ₹1,280

Laurus Labs continues to witness strong bullish momentum with a steady higher high–higher low formation. The stock recently touched its all-time high of ₹1,333.50, and a breakout above this level may trigger fresh buying interest. The overall trend remains positive as the price sustains above the 20, 50, 100, and 200-day EMAs.

Comparison of Stock Picks