Market action: What does the F&O market suggest about trade on January 18?

Max pain at the end of today's trade stands at 18250

Nifty 50, continued to sustain above 18000 level and today closed above 18300 level. It ended the day with a gain of 0.29 per cent or 52.3 points at 18308.1. In the last few trading sessions, we are witnessing Nifty move up while Bank Nifty is consolidating after moving up in the first couple of weeks. Even today Nifty 50 gained, while Bank Nifty saw a marginal decline. Nifty VIX, though closed in green down by 0.8 in today’s trade and closed at 16.76. 

Activity on the F&O front for weekly expiry on January 20 shows the highest call option open interest at 19000 strike price. Highest open interest contract of 113445 stood at this strike price. The second-highest call option open interest 98636 for Nifty 50 stood at a strike price of 18300. In terms of the highest addition of open interest in the call options front, it was at 18300 in the last trading session. A total of 27490 open interest was added at this strike price.

In terms of put activity, the highest put writing was seen at a strike price of 17500 where 92648 open interest was added on January 17, followed by 18300 where 31375 open interest was added. Highest total put open interest (142999) stood at a strike price of 17500. This is followed by a strike price of 18000, which saw a total put option open interest of 104156 contracts. 

The Nifty 50 put call ratio (PCR) closed at 1.1 for the day. A PCR above 1 is considered bullish while a PCR below 1 is considered bearish.

Max pain at the end of today's trade stands at 18250.