Sun, 19 Apr 2026
03:13:26 am
Rudransh Sangwan
Published at: April 17, 2026, 1:38 AM
Sumeet Bagadia’s top 5 stock picks for April 17 including Neogen Chemicals, Astra Microwave, IFCI, and more with detailed buy levels, targets, stop loss, and expert technical analysis for short-term trading opportunities.

The Indian stock market is currently in a consolidation phase after a strong rally, with the Nifty 50 struggling to sustain above key resistance levels near 24,300 to 24,400. While the broader trend remains mildly positive, intraday volatility and profit booking at higher levels indicate that traders need to shift from index-based strategies to stock-specific opportunities.
Sumeet Bagadia highlights that the market is showing signs of range-bound movement with strong support near 24,000 and resistance acting as a ceiling for further upside. In such conditions, momentum-driven stocks with strong technical breakouts offer better risk-reward setups. Based on this framework, five stocks stand out for today’s trading session.
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Neogen Chemicals operates in the specialty chemicals space, focusing on bromine-based and lithium-based compounds used in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and energy storage. The company benefits from rising demand in electric vehicle batteries and advanced chemical applications.
The stock is currently trading around ₹1502 and has delivered a strong breakout above all key moving averages, including the 20, 50, 100, and 200-day EMAs. This indicates a structural shift from consolidation to a sustained uptrend supported by strong buying momentum.
Buy Strategy
The RSI above 66 confirms bullish strength, making this one of the strongest setups among the picks.
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Astra Microwave operates in the defence and space electronics segment, manufacturing radar systems, microwave components, and satellite communication equipment. The company benefits from India’s increasing defence spending and indigenisation push.
The stock is trading near ₹1074 and has shown a decisive breakout with strong volume support. It has reclaimed all major moving averages, indicating a trend reversal after a consolidation phase.
Buy Strategy
The RSI near 69 reflects strong momentum, with institutional participation visible through volume expansion.
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Senores Pharmaceuticals is engaged in the development and manufacturing of pharmaceutical formulations with a focus on regulated markets. The company benefits from increasing global demand for generic drugs and export opportunities.
The stock is trading around ₹890 and has recently broken out to a new swing high, supported by strong price action and volume. All moving averages are aligned upward, confirming a strong bullish trend.
Buy Strategy
With RSI above 72, the stock is in a strong momentum zone, indicating aggressive buying interest.
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Allied Blenders and Distillers is one of India’s leading alcoholic beverage companies, known for brands in the whisky and spirits segment. The company benefits from rising consumption trends and premiumisation in the liquor industry.
The stock is currently trading around ₹540 and has shown a sharp recovery from lower levels, breaking above key moving averages with strong momentum.
Buy Strategy
The RSI above 70 confirms strong bullish momentum as the stock exits a consolidation phase.
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IFCI is a financial institution focused on infrastructure financing, project lending, and advisory services. It plays a key role in supporting industrial and infrastructure growth in India.
The stock is trading near ₹60.73 and has shown a breakout from consolidation with strong volume support, indicating renewed buying interest.
Buy Strategy
The RSI near 64 suggests strengthening momentum while maintaining room for further upside.
Current derivative data indicates strong call writing at higher levels and put writing near support zones. This suggests a range-bound market where individual stock momentum becomes more important than index direction.
Data suggests resistance near 24,350 to 24,400 is limiting index upside. This leads to sideways consolidation, which results in stock-specific breakouts outperforming the broader market.
| Stock | Sector | Buy Range | Target | Stop Loss | Trend Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neogen Chemicals | Specialty Chemicals | ₹1500–1505 | ₹1610 | ₹1440 | Strong |
| Astra Microwave | Defence | ₹1070–1080 | ₹1150 | ₹1026 | Strong |
| Senores Pharma | Pharma | ₹880–900 | ₹955 | ₹847 | Very Strong |
| Allied Blenders | FMCG Liquor | ₹535–545 | ₹575 | ₹515 | Strong |
| IFCI | Financials | ₹60–61 | ₹65.5 | ₹57.6 | Moderate |
A key trend emerging is sector rotation toward defence and specialty chemicals, driven by government spending and global supply chain shifts. Stocks in these sectors are seeing sustained institutional interest.
Many traders focus only on index direction, assuming that if the market is flat, opportunities are limited. In reality, range-bound markets often produce the best stock-specific breakouts.
Even though indices are not trending strongly, individual stocks are showing powerful momentum due to sector-specific triggers. This creates opportunities for traders who can identify strong setups early.
Neogen Chemicals and Astra Microwave stand out due to strong breakout structures and high volume confirmation. Both stocks have cleared major resistance levels and are trading above key moving averages, indicating sustained momentum and better probability of reaching targets compared to others.
Yes, but the strategy needs to shift from index trading to stock-specific trading. In sideways markets, breakouts in individual stocks often deliver better returns, provided traders follow strict stop losses and avoid overleveraging positions.
Risk management should be based on predefined stop losses and position sizing. Traders should avoid putting full capital into a single trade, follow staggered entries, and consider booking partial profits near target levels to protect gains in volatile conditions.
The market is currently in a phase where selective stock picking is far more rewarding than broad market exposure. Sumeet Bagadia’s picks highlight strong technical setups across diverse sectors, offering traders well-defined entry and exit points. In a range-bound market, disciplined execution and risk management will be the key to consistent profits.

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