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Derivatives Trading Strategy for 21st Aug 2025

Option Chain, Market Participant data & cash market activity Decoding
20 August 2025 by
P. Kalita
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Derivatives Trading Strategy for 21st Aug 2025: 

Today's Market Summary: FII Selling Pressure Meets DII Support

August 20, 2025 witnessed a mixed trading session with Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) selling ₹1,100.09 crores while Domestic Institutional Investors (DII) provided strong support with ₹1,806.34 crores of buying in the cash market segment across NSE, BSE, and MSEI. This resulted in a net positive inflow of ₹706.25 crores, indicating resilient domestic demand despite foreign selling pressure.

The Nifty 50 closed at 25,050.55 (+0.28%), Bank Nifty ended at 55,698.50 (-0.30%), and Sensex finished at 81,857.84 (+0.26%), showcasing a sideways to slightly positive market sentiment.

Derivative Market Analysis: Mixed Signals from Option Chain Data

Nifty 50 Option Chain Analysis

The Nifty option chain analysis reveals critical insights for derivative trading strategy:

  • Put-Call Ratio (PCR): 1.15 - indicating bearish sentiment among option traders
  • ATM Strike Analysis (25,050):
    • 25,000 Strike: Highest PE OI at 2,32,648 contracts
    • 25,050 Strike: CE OI 1,04,456 vs PE OI 99,623 (PCR: 0.95)
    • 25,100 Strike: Strong CE OI at 1,51,837 contracts

The elevated PCR above 1.0 suggests put buying dominance, typically considered a contrarian bullish indicator when institutional data supports upside momentum.

Bank Nifty Option Chain Insights

Bank Nifty derivative market data shows:

  • Put-Call Ratio: 0.88 - relatively neutral to slightly bullish
  • Maximum CE OI: 57,000 strike level
  • Maximum PE OI: 57,000 strike level
  • Current sentiment: Bearish for both intraday and positional trading

Market Participant Analysis: 

Key Driver for Tomorrow's Strategy

Institutional Activity Breakdown

Client Positioning (August 20, 2025):

  • Retail Clients: 52.5% Long, 40.0% Short positions
  • FII Positioning: 22.6% Long, 15.8% Short (Net Long bias despite cash selling)
  • DII Positioning: 1.6% Long, 21.5% Short (Defensive positioning)
  • Pro Traders: 23.3% Long, 22.7% Short (Neutral stance)

This derivative market data reveals that while FII are selling in cash markets, their derivative positions remain net long, suggesting tactical profit-booking rather than structural bearishness.

Option Trading Strategy for 21st August 2025

Nifty 50 Strategy

Bullish Scenario (Above 25,022):

  • Target Levels: 25,117, 25,180, 25,243
  • Strategy: Buy 25,100 CE options with tight stop-loss
  • Risk Management: Exit if closes below 25,022 on 15-minute chart

Bearish Breakdown (Below 24,920):

  • Target Levels: 24,860, 24,770, 24,650
  • Strategy: Buy 25,000 PE options
  • Risk Management: Book profits at each target level

Bank Nifty Trading Approach

No Trading Zone: 55,725 to 55,970

Bearish Setup (Below 55,700):

  • Targets: 55,579, 55,469, 55,236
  • Strategy: Sell 55,700 CE / Buy 55,500 PE
  • Stop Loss: 55,880

Market Outlook: Derivative Trading Strategy Implications

Key Factors Supporting Bullish Bias:

  1. Strong DII buying (₹1,806.34 crores) offsetting FII selling
  2. Nifty technical structure remains intact above 24,920
  3. Pro trader neutrality suggests no major directional conviction

Cautionary Signals:

  1. High Nifty PCR (1.15) indicates put accumulation
  2. Bank Nifty bearish sentiment across timeframes
  3. FII continuous selling pressure in cash markets

Professional Trading Recommendations

For Option Traders:

  1. Focus on Nifty 25,000-25,100 strikes for maximum activity
  2. Bank Nifty 55,500-56,000 range for intraday opportunities
  3. Time decay consideration: Avoid far OTM options in current sideways movement

Risk Management Protocol:

  • Position sizing: Risk maximum 1-2% per trade
  • Stop losses: Strict adherence to 15-minute candle closures
  • Profit booking: 50% at first target, trail remaining position

Technical Analysis Integration

Current price action analysis suggests:

  • Nifty: Testing resistance at 25,050-25,100 zone
  • Support levels: 24,920 (immediate), 24,860 (strong)
  • Bank Nifty: Facing headwinds near 55,800-56,000
  • Critical support: 55,700 level decisive for trend

Conclusion: Balanced Approach for Tomorrow's Session

The derivative trading strategy for 21st August 2025 should emphasize:

  1. Wait for clear breakouts from defined ranges
  2. Monitor FII-DII activity for directional cues
  3. Focus on liquid strikes with high open interest
  4. Maintain disciplined risk management given mixed signals

Market generally exhibits bullish tendencies when FII buy in cash markets and bearish when they sell. However, strong DII support and professional trader neutrality suggest the current selling pressure may be temporary.

The option chain analysis indicates consolidation before the next directional move, making range-bound strategies potentially profitable.

Disclaimer

This analysis is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as buy or sell recommendations. Derivative trading involves substantial risk and can result in significant losses. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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