As Indian markets gear up for another volatile session on January 8, 2026, investors are scrambling for reliable stock picks that can deliver solid returns in the short to medium term. In a market where sentiment swings like a pendulum, expert guidance is more valuable than ever. Enter Aakash K Hindocha, Head of Technical Research at Nuvama Professional Clients Group, who has just unveiled his latest set of high-conviction stock recommendations: **ABB India**, **Fortis Healthcare**, and **Petronet LNG**.
But that’s not all. Hindocha also shared his technical outlook on the broader market, suggesting that both Nifty and Bank Nifty are positioned for potential upside—adding fuel to an already optimistic start to the year. If you’re wondering which **top stocks to buy today**, this analysis could be your roadmap.
Table of Contents
- Market Outlook: Nifty and Bank Nifty Trends
- Why ABB India Is a Top Buy
- Fortis Healthcare: The Hidden Gem in Healthcare
- Petronet LNG: Energy Play for the Long Haul
- Risk Factors and Investment Timing
- How to Act on These Recommendations
- Conclusion
- Sources
Market Outlook: Nifty and Bank Nifty Trends
Before diving into individual stocks, it’s crucial to understand the broader market context. According to Hindocha, the **Nifty 50** is consolidating just below the 24,000 mark—a psychological and technical resistance level. “The index has formed a strong support base near 23,600, and any breakout above 24,000 could trigger a rally toward 24,500,” he explains.
Similarly, **Bank Nifty** is showing resilience, holding above the 50,000 level. With improving asset quality and rising net interest margins in the banking sector, Hindocha sees potential for Bank Nifty to test 52,000 in the coming weeks. This bullish undercurrent makes it an opportune time to consider fundamentally strong stocks in both industrial and defensive sectors.
Why ABB India Is a Top Buy
**ABB India Ltd.**, a leader in automation and electrification technologies, has been on a tear, driven by India’s massive infrastructure push and the government’s focus on smart manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Hindocha highlights that ABB’s stock has broken out of a multi-month consolidation zone on the daily chart, with strong volume support. “The stock is trading above all key moving averages, and RSI is in the bullish zone without being overbought,” he notes.
Key Catalysts**:
- Order inflows from renewable energy and metro rail projects
- Strong Q3 FY26 earnings expected (consensus EPS growth: +18% YoY)
- Robust order book exceeding ₹9,000 crore
Target Price: ₹9,200 | Stop Loss: ₹8,100 | Time Horizon: 4–6 weeks.
Fortis Healthcare: The Hidden Gem in Healthcare
While hospital sector stocks have faced headwinds from regulatory scrutiny, **Fortis Healthcare** stands out due to its operational turnaround and strategic expansion in tier-2 cities.
“Fortis has cleaned up its balance sheet post-IHH acquisition and is now focusing on EBITDA margin expansion,” says Hindocha. Technically, the stock has formed a strong double-bottom pattern near ₹410, with a breakout above ₹450 signaling the start of a new uptrend.
Investment Thesis**:
- Improving patient occupancy rates post-pandemic
- Cost optimization leading to margin recovery
- Undervalued compared to peers like Apollo Hospitals
Target Price: ₹490 | Stop Loss: ₹420 | Time Horizon: 6–8 weeks.
Petronet LNG: Energy Play for the Long Haul
As India accelerates its transition to cleaner fuels, **Petronet LNG** — the country’s largest natural gas importer and regasification company — is poised to benefit immensely from rising demand in power, fertilizer, and transportation sectors.
“With global LNG prices stabilizing and domestic demand growing at 8% CAGR, Petronet is a low-risk, high-visibility cash flow story,” Hindocha asserts. The stock recently bounced off its 200-day moving average with strong institutional buying.
Why It’s a Buy**:
- Monopoly-like position in LNG infrastructure
- Healthy dividend yield (~2.8%)
- Expansion of Kochi and Dahej terminals nearing completion
Target Price: ₹325 | Stop Loss: ₹295 | Time Horizon: 2–3 months.
Risk Factors and Investment Timing
While these three stocks offer compelling upside, investors must remain cautious:
- Global macro risks**: Any spike in crude oil or U.S. Treasury yields could trigger FII outflows.
- Earnings season volatility**: Q3 results (starting mid-January) may cause short-term swings.
- Sector rotation**: A sudden shift to defensive sectors could pause momentum plays.
Hindocha advises staggering entries and using stop-losses to manage risk—especially for retail investors.
How to Act on These Recommendations
1. **Do your due diligence**: Check company filings on [INTERNAL_LINK:stock-research-tools].
2. **Diversify**: Don’t allocate more than 10–15% of your portfolio to any single recommendation.
3. **Use limit orders**: Avoid market orders to prevent slippage.
4. **Monitor technicals**: Track price action relative to the suggested stop-loss levels.
For deeper market education, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) offers investor awareness resources on responsible trading .
Conclusion
In today’s fast-moving market, identifying the right **top stocks to buy today** requires a blend of technical precision and fundamental insight. ABB, Fortis, and Petronet LNG—backed by strong macro tailwinds and positive technical setups—emerge as high-conviction picks from a trusted market expert. While no investment is without risk, these selections offer a balanced mix of growth, value, and sectoral diversification at a pivotal market juncture.