Stocks to Buy Today: August 20, 2025

At around 9:24 am IST on August 20, 2025, Indian markets opened on a tepid note, with Nifty sliding roughly 37 points to 24,943, while the Sensex declined by about 118 points to 81,527, reflecting a cautious start after a sustained rally over the prior sessions. 

Investor caution stems largely from the upcoming U.S. Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium, where markets anticipate a 25‑basis‑point rate cut projection, a move that could favor emerging market inflows. Domestically, India’s equity markets have been buoyed by optimism around GST reform expectations, which helped extend the indices’ winning streak.

On today’s radar are the long‑anticipated GST overhaul announcements and central bank cues, particularly minutes from the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee and the U.S. Fed, both due for release. These are likely to shape interest‑rate-sensitive sectors and broader market direction.

Against this backdrop, keep an eye on stocks like Garware Hi-Tech Films, Indus Towers, PNB Housing Finance, and Westlife Foodworld.

Stocks to Buy Today 

Here is the curated stock you may track in today’s trading session:

Garware Technical Fibres Ltd. [NSE: GARFIBRES]

Garware Technical Fibres delivered a steady Q1 FY26 performance, with net sales rising 9% YoY to ₹367.2 crore and net profit growing 13.5% to ₹53.1 crore. This growth was primarily driven by strong demand in the geosynthetics segment and sustained momentum in international fisheries, a critical export vertical. While concerns linger around potential tariff impacts in the US market, which accounts for roughly 10% of exports, the company’s diversified global presence and growing domestic industrial sales help mitigate these risks. Management’s focus on supporting affected clients and maintaining operational momentum reinforces confidence in its resilience. Given its solid top-line growth, profitable execution, and strategic diversification, Garware remains a compelling stock to watch for investors seeking exposure to the technical textiles sector’s expansion.

Indus Towers [NSE: INDUSTOWER]

Indus Towers reported a balanced Q1 FY26 performance with revenue rising 9.1% YoY to ₹8,058 crore, driven by steady tower additions and increased co-location demand. However, net profit declined 9.8% to ₹1,737 crore, as operating expenses surged 29.2% YoY, particularly due to higher power, fuel, and maintenance costs. EBITDA fell 3.4% to ₹4,390 crore, compressing margins to 54.5% from 61.6% a year earlier. 

Despite these pressures, the company generated a healthy ₹1,570 crore in free cash flow, supported by overdue collections of ₹88 crore from Vodafone Idea, reducing doubtful receivables to ₹209.9 crore. The board’s decision to pause shareholder payouts reflects a cautious approach amid rising capex for infrastructure upgrades and inorganic growth plans. Notably, Indus is investing in AI and digital tools to boost efficiency and position itself for 5G expansion. For investors, Indus offers a compelling blend of strong cash flow, network growth, and strategic reinvestment despite short-term margin headwinds.

PNB Housing Finance [NSE: INDUSTOWER]

PNB Housing Finance saw its stock slide over 16% in early August following the surprise resignation of MD & CEO Girish Kousgi. While the exit raises short-term concerns, the company quickly appointed senior leadership—signaling continuity. Operationally, PNBHF delivered a net profit of ₹439 crore in Q1 FY26, up 25% YoY, with loan book growth of 11% and a sharp reduction in gross NPAs to 1.4%. Despite technical downgrades amid bearish sentiment, the stock trades at just 0.78x FY26E book, offering a potential value opportunity. Management reaffirmed its strategy focused on affordable housing, strong underwriting, and cost optimization. Given its improving fundamentals, leaner balance sheet, and discounted valuation, PNB Housing remains worth monitoring, especially if leadership transition stabilizes quickly.

Westlife Foodworld [NSE:WESTLIFE]

Westlife Foodworld posted a 6.5% YoY increase in Q1 FY26 sales to ₹653 crore, supported by steady store expansion and growing digital sales. However, net profit plunged 62.5% to ₹1.22 crore, primarily due to rising operational costs and investments in brand-building. Despite this, the company achieved 0.5% same-store sales growth, marking a consistent recovery trend. 

Furthermore, Westlife’s strong commitment to sustainability is highlighted by its recent approval of the Business Responsibility & Sustainability Report 2025 and a top-tier ESG ranking by S&P Global, placing 5th globally in its sector with a score of 59. With its Vision 2027 strategy aiming to expand the restaurant count to 580–630 and boost omni-channel capabilities, Westlife balances near-term margin pressures with long-term growth potential and solid governance. This blend of operational resilience and ESG leadership makes it a compelling stock to watch.

Conclusion 

Stock trading does not offer guaranteed returns. To make informed trading decisions, consider a company’s fundamentals, including revenue growth and earnings stability, as well as sector performance and market trends. Look for stocks with high liquidity and volatility that match your trading style (day trading or swing trading). Focus on strategies like technical analysis (chart patterns, indicators like MACD and RSI) and fundamental analysis (earnings reports and news catalysts).

Having a proper risk management strategy is equally important to minimise losses. Use stop-loss orders and position sizing to protect your capital. Develop a trading plan with clear entry and exit criteria based on your risk tolerance.

Just starting out with investing? Begin your stock market journey by opening a Demat Account with Torus Digital today.

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