The stock market opens for just one hour today. If you plan to place an order during Muhurat Trading 2026, here is what you need to know before the bell rings.
The special Diwali session runs from 2:20 PM to 3:30 PM today, November 8, 2026, marking the start of Samvat 2083. The pre-open order entry phase begins at 2:05 PM and runs until 2:15 PM, with order matching and trade confirmations processed between 2:15 PM and 2:17 PM .
But this year’s session is different. Under the Closing Auction Session (CAS) framework—which went live on August 3, 2026—stocks with futures and options contracts stop continuous trading at 3:15 PM, not 3:30 PM. For non-CAS stocks, trading continues until 3:30 PM . The CAS order entry window runs from 3:20 PM to 3:30 PM, with trade matching closing at 3:35 PM .
The backdrop is also unusual. The market just wrapped up its best weekly rally since February 2021, with the Nifty surging over 7.5% and the Sensex gaining more than 8.8%. Foreign investors pumped nearly ₹39,000 crore into Indian equities in a single week, driven by a global rotation away from AI-heavy markets.
Against this backdrop, here are the stocks that are in focus for today’s session.
1. Tata Steel: The Earnings Beat
Tata Steel delivered a strong Q2 FY27 performance that beat expectations. Consolidated revenue rose 12% year-on-year to ₹65,436 crore. Net profit climbed 18% to ₹3,666 crore, topping the Bloomberg consensus estimate of ₹3,253.7 crore .
The company’s access to captive iron ore and its plan to expand India capacity to 40 million tonnes by FY31 support the growth story. Brokerage SBICAP Securities has a target of ₹200, implying a 17% upside from the current price of around ₹171.
2. Bharat Electronics (BEL): The Order Book Juggernaut
BEL is a defence PSU with a massive ₹68,720 crore order book spanning radar, missile, and drone technologies . PL Capital sees the stock climbing from ₹395 to ₹490, a 24.1% upside . Nomura has an even higher target of ₹520, citing a strong defence order pipeline including the ₹30,000 crore QRSAM contract awaiting Cabinet Committee clearance .
The defence sector has been a consistent performer, and BEL’s visibility on future orders makes it a preferred pick for long-term investors looking for exposure to government spending on defence.
3. Meesho: The New Listing in Focus
Meesho, the e-commerce platform that listed recently, is among the stocks in focus ahead of Muhurat Trading. Motilal Oswal maintains a Buy rating with a target price of ₹265, citing an asset-light model with negative working capital and improving unit economics . The brokerage models a 25% net merchandise value CAGR over FY26-31.
For investors who missed the IPO, the Muhurat session offers a symbolic opportunity to initiate a position. But remember: new listings can be volatile, and the one-hour session has thin volumes.
4. MCX: The Commodity Exchange Play
MCX, India’s dominant commodity derivatives exchange, is trading around ₹3,187. SBI Securities has a target of ₹3,633, a potential gain of 14%. The brokerage points to MCX’s near-99% share of commodity derivatives and an EBITDA margin of roughly 72% in FY26 .
With gold and silver prices volatile and crude oil swinging sharply, MCX benefits directly from increased trading activity in commodities.
5. ICICI Bank: The Banking Bellwether
ICICI Bank is priced at around ₹1,500, and PL Capital sees it heading to ₹1,900, a 26.7% upside . The brokerage expects loan growth, stable margins, and healthy interest and fee income to back earnings, supported by a CET-1 ratio of 16% and a controlled loan-to-deposit ratio .
Banking stocks led the recent rally, and ICICI Bank is a preferred large-cap pick for foreign investors returning to Indian equities.
6. SPR Auto Components: The High-Upside Bet
SPR Auto Components is trading at ₹4,374, and Motilal Oswal Wealth Management has set a target of ₹6,150, a potential upside of 41% . The brokerage expects the auto components maker to benefit from strong demand and its expansion plans.
This is a higher-risk, higher-reward pick. The 41% upside target is the highest on this list, but it comes with the caveat that smaller-cap stocks can be more volatile.
7. Blue Star: The Cooling Play
Blue Star, the air-conditioning major, is starting from ₹1,572. PL Capital sees it reaching ₹1,783, a 13.4% gain. Low penetration of room ACs, rising demand for cooling, and data-centre projects support the view.
The stock is a play on India’s rising temperatures and urbanisation, though it is not a direct AI or defence beneficiary.
What to Watch Before You Trade
The rally has been sharp. The Nifty is up over 7.5% in a week. Profit-booking is a real risk, especially in a one-hour session with thin volumes.
The Muhurat session is symbolic. Do not treat it as a trading opportunity. If you buy, buy something you intend to hold. The one-hour window is not designed for active trading.
Foreign flows are the wild card. FPIs bought nearly ₹39,000 crore last week. If they continue buying, the rally has legs. If they pause, the market could give back some gains.
CAS timing matters. If you hold F&O stocks, continuous trading ends at 3:15 PM, not 3:30 PM. Plan your orders accordingly.
The Bottom Line
Muhurat Trading 2026 is a ceremonial start to Samvat 2083, not a predictive signal. The stocks in focus—Tata Steel, BEL, MCX, ICICI Bank, and others—have genuine fundamental stories behind them. But the one-hour session is not the place to make impulsive decisions.
If you participate, do it for the tradition. Keep your position sizes small, and focus on the businesses you want to own for the year ahead.
FAQ
Q1: What are the Muhurat Trading 2026 timings?
Pre-open order entry begins at 2:05 PM and runs until 2:15 PM. Continuous trading runs from 2:20 PM to 3:15 PM for F&O (CAS-eligible) stocks, and until 3:30 PM for non-CAS stocks. The CAS order entry window runs from 3:20 PM to 3:30 PM .
Q2: Which stocks are in focus for Muhurat Trading today?
Tata Steel, Bharat Electronics (BEL), Meesho, MCX, ICICI Bank, SPR Auto Components, and Blue Star are among the stocks in focus based on recent earnings, order books, and brokerage recommendations.
Q3: Why did the market rally so much before Muhurat Trading?
FPIs bought nearly ₹39,000 crore in Indian equities in one week as global investors rotated away from AI-heavy markets like the US and South Korea. This, combined with strong Q2 earnings and falling crude oil prices, drove the Nifty up 7.5% for the week.
Q4: Is it safe to buy stocks during Muhurat Trading?
The session is ceremonial and has thin volumes. If you buy, buy for the long term, not for a quick trade. The one-hour window is not designed for active trading.
Q5: What is the Closing Auction Session (CAS) and why does it matter today?
CAS is a framework that determines the official closing price for F&O stocks through an auction process rather than continuous trading. It went live on August 3, 2026, and this is its first Muhurat session. For CAS-eligible stocks, continuous trading ends at 3:15 PM, and the auction runs from 3:20 PM to 3:30 PM .
