The Nifty 50 fell 0.16% on August 13, marking a third straight session of decline. It tested its 20‑day exponential moving average (EMA) at 24,360 but managed to hold the level on a closing basis.
Despite the dip, the index remains above all major moving averages. However, momentum indicators such as the RSI and MACD have weakened, signalling short‑term nervousness.
A sustained drop below 24,360 could push the index toward the 24,300‑24,200 range, with 24,000 acting as a critical support. A rebound would face a hurdle in the 24,500‑24,600 zone.
Key pivot‑point resistances for the Nifty are 24,426, 24,454 and 24,500, while support levels sit at 24,334, 24,305 and 24,259.
On the Bank Nifty front, a bearish candle appeared inside a long green candle, indicating indecision. The index stayed above its 20‑day EMA, and the RSI hovered around 51.53, while the MACD remained flat.
Weekly options data shows the highest call open interest at the ₹24,800 strike with 1.07 crore contracts. The ₹24,500 and ₹24,600 strikes follow with 1.04 crore and 90.37 lakh contracts respectively.
Call writing peaked at ₹24,800 (52.13 lakh contracts), followed by ₹24,600 and ₹24,700. The largest call unwinding occurred at ₹24,850 (78,455 contracts).
On the put side, the ₹24,000 strike holds the maximum open interest at 96.31 lakh contracts, acting as a short‑term support. The ₹24,300 and ₹24,400 strikes have 77.9 lakh and 64.9 lakh contracts.
Put writing was strongest at ₹24,350 (21.76 lakh contracts), with additional writing at ₹24,300 and ₹24,000. The biggest put unwinding happened at ₹24,700 (66,300 contracts).
Monthly options data points the highest call open interest to the ₹58,000 strike (21.13 lakh contracts). The next levels are ₹58,500 (9.42 lakh) and ₹57,500 (6.16 lakh).
Call writing in the monthly data was highest at ₹58,500 (1.21 lakh contracts), followed by ₹57,700 and ₹57,600. The most significant call unwinding occurred at ₹58,200 (81,090 contracts).
For puts, the ₹58,000 strike again leads with 13.8 lakh contracts. The ₹57,000 and ₹57,500 strikes follow with 9.89 lakh and 6.21 lakh contracts.
Put writing peaked at ₹57,800 (42,390 contracts), with further writing at ₹57,600 and ₹57,400. The largest put unwinding was at ₹58,000 (74,070 contracts).
The Nifty Put‑Call ratio (PCR) held steady at 0.92 on August 13, indicating a balanced market mood. A PCR above 0.7 typically signals bullish sentiment, while below 0.7 suggests bearishness.
India VIX slipped 2.33% to 11.41, its lowest close since January 16, 2026. The fear index stayed below the 12 level, pointing to subdued volatility.
In terms of open interest movement, 57 stocks saw a long build‑up, 30 stocks had long unwinding, 65 stocks built short positions, and 59 stocks experienced short‑covering.
High delivery shares were noted in several stocks, indicating a preference for long‑term investing over day‑trading.
The F&O segment continues to ban derivatives for companies exceeding 95% of the market‑wide position limit. Banned names include Bandhan Bank, LIC, Manappuram Finance and SAIL.