Indian stock markets are currently witnessing a dynamic phase, influenced by a mix of global cues, domestic earnings reports, and evolving investor sentiment. Several leading market experts are closely monitoring these trends to identify promising investment opportunities for today, July 31, 2025.

Expert Stock Picks

Several market experts are sharing their top stock picks for July 31. Raja Venkatraman from MarketSmith India, Trade Brains Portal, and Ankush Bajaj have all provided their best recommendations. MarketSmith India's picks are particularly noteworthy for investors seeking top-performing stocks.

Axis Securities' Bull Call Spread Strategy

Axis Securities has suggested a Bull Call Spread strategy for Nifty options contracts expiring on July 31, 2025. This reflects a moderately bullish outlook. The strategy involves purchasing a call option with a strike price slightly below the current market price of the Nifty 50 and simultaneously selling another call option with a higher strike price, both with the same expiration date.

Strategy Details:

• Buy Nifty 1 lot 25,200 Call at ₹145 - 165
• Sell Nifty 1 lot 25,450 Call at ₹45 - 65
• Break-Even Point: 25,298

This strategy is suitable when a moderately bullish outlook is expected.

Stocks in the News

Several stocks are in focus today due to recent news and announcements:

• Avenue Supermarts: The company plans to expand its store network, focusing on northern India, with the addition of up to 50 stores this financial year.
• Tata Steel: The company reported a significant 116% rise in consolidated net profit for the first quarter. Tata Steel India remains the top contributor to revenue.
• Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M): M&M reported a strong Q1 performance with a 24.4% YoY increase in net profit and a 22.8% YoY rise in revenue.
• Jio Financial Services: Actively watched due to recent fund raising activities.
• Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL): BPCL, along with Balkrishna Industries, United Breweries, Coforge, and several others, will trade ex-dividend today.

Market Sentiment and Global Cues

The Indian stock market is expected to be stock-specific today as companies announce their quarterly results. However, global cues may exert some influence. Weak cues from the US markets, where the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500 closed in the red, could dampen early momentum. European markets are showing mixed signals. Foreign investors have been consistently selling, offloading ₹4,636.6 crore on July 29. However, consistent domestic institutional investor (DII) buying may cushion the impact on domestic indices.

Key Levels to Watch

According to Axis Securities, the highest Nifty Open Interest (OI) on the Call side is at the 25,500 strike, followed by 25,200, which could act as resistance levels. On the Put side, the highest OI is at 25,000, followed by 25,200, which may serve as support levels.

Potential Risks

Investors should also be aware of potential risks:

• US Tariff Threat: The US has imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods, which could rattle investor sentiment.
• Global Trade Tensions: Uncertainty surrounding trade deals and tariff policies could impact market performance.

Additional Stocks to Watch

Other stocks to keep an eye on include IndiGo, Hitachi Energy, RITES, and Bharat Forge.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Investors should conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.