Top Stock Picks for February 17, 2025: ITC and Bharti Airtel Lead the Way

The Nifty50 index recently established a triple bottom around the 22,780 mark on the daily chart, signaling a robust support zone. However, the formation of red candles on both daily and weekly charts suggests a lack of momentum in upward movements. The 21-Day Simple Moving Average (DSMA), positioned near 23,260, presents an immediate hurdle. A decisive move beyond the 23,300 threshold could potentially confirm a near-term bottom reversal pattern, as noted by Hrishikesh Yedve, Assistant Vice President of Technical and Derivatives Research at Asit C. Mehta Investment Intermediates Ltd. In this context, several stocks have emerged as favorable trading opportunities for investors with a short-term horizon. Among these, ITC Limited and Bharti Airtel are prominently featured in analysts' recommendations. ITC Limited ITC Limited, a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning from fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) to hospitality, has been on analysts' radar. Market expert Kunal Bothra has identified ITC as a potential buy, setting a target price of ₹475 and recommending a stop loss at ₹442. This suggests an anticipated upside, driven by ITC's strong market position and diversified portfolio. The company's consistent performance in the FMCG sector, coupled with its strategic initiatives in other segments, bolsters investor confidence. Bharti Airtel Bharti Airtel, one of India's leading telecommunications service providers, continues to attract positive attention from market analysts. Kunal Bothra has also recommended Bharti Airtel as a buy, with a target price of ₹1,900 and a stop loss at ₹1,875. This optimistic outlook is underpinned by the company's strong market position in India's telecom and digital sectors. ICICI Securities has highlighted Bharti Airtel's potential to capitalize on the increasing demand for data services and the expansion of 5G technology. The brokerage firm has set a Nifty 50 target of 26,300 by the end of 2025, identifying Bharti Airtel among its top 26 stock picks poised to benefit from this growth trajectory. The broader financial services sector is also expected to perform robustly as the economy undergoes a re-leveraging phase. Banks such as HDFC and SBI, along with financial entities like Bajaj Finance and SBI Life, are well-positioned to capitalize on the rising demand for credit and the expanding capital expenditure cycle. This trend is anticipated to create a conducive environment for companies like Bharti Airtel to enhance their service offerings and market reach. In summary, as the market consolidates, ITC Limited and Bharti Airtel emerge as compelling options for investors seeking short-term trading opportunities. Their strong market positions, coupled with favorable analyst recommendations, make them noteworthy considerations in the current investment landscape.