Most active stocks are those that record the highest trading volumes or values during a specific period, usually within the same trading day. These stocks attract significant buying and selling interest, which makes them a key focus for traders and short-term investors looking for momentum and liquidity.
High trading volumes can validate price trends, while high traded value often points to institutional interest. Keep reading as we talk more about active stocks and how to track them.
What Are the Most Active Stocks?
Most active stocks are shares that record the highest trading volume (number of shares traded) or value (total worth of shares traded) during a specific period, usually within the same trading day.
High volume or value indicates strong participation from traders and investors, often driven by news, earnings, corporate actions, or market sentiment.
A few important terms that you should be aware of are:
- Active stocks: General term for shares with high market activity within a given time frame.
- Most traded stocks: Stocks ranked by the highest number of shares traded.
- Actively traded stocks: Shares that consistently see large buy and sell orders during the day, offering higher liquidity.
On the NSE and BSE, recent examples of active stocks include: Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, Infosys, ICICI Bank, Suzlon Energy, and Bharat Dynamics. This data is updated intraday on exchange websites and refreshed daily after market close. Traders often check these lists in real time to spot potential opportunities for intraday or short-term trades.
Why Are Active Stocks Important in Trading?
The high trading volumes of active stocks usually signal strong market interest and potential price movement. This activity can create more predictable opportunities for traders than low-volume counters. A few more features of active stocks are:
- Volume drives price movement: High trading volume means more buying and selling pressure, which can lead to stronger and more sustained price trends.
- Liquidity makes entry and exit easier: Actively traded stocks allow traders to open or close positions quickly without large price slippage.
- Influence of FIIs, news, and corporate actions: Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), earnings reports, mergers, or regulatory changes can rapidly push stocks into the most active list.
- Supports intraday and swing trading strategies: For day traders, active stocks provide the volatility needed for short-term gains. For swing traders, strong activity can confirm momentum over a few days.
Top Actively Traded Stocks in NSE and BSE
Actively traded stocks attract high market participation, often because of strong news flow, earnings updates, or sector momentum. These stocks have better liquidity and tighter spreads, which make them best suited for intraday and short-term trades.
Below are some of the most active stocks in the NSE and BSE based on recent trading activity as of 18th August 2025:
| Company | Market Price (₹) | 52-Week High (₹) | 1-Year Return (%) |
| Suzlon Energy Ltd | 60.53 | 86.04 | -21.44 |
| Yatra Online Ltd | 150.92 | 156.80 | -0.21 |
| JM Financial Ltd | 184.81 | 181.40 | 69.23 |
| FSN E-Commerce Ventures (Nykaa) | 215.28 | 229.80 | 5.16 |
| HBL Engineering Ltd | 732.00 | 739.65 | 14.01 |
| One 97 Communications (Paytm) | 1,159.90 | 1,136.00 | 117.64 |
| Infosys Ltd | 1,427.10 | 1,999.60 | -20.77 |
| Bharat Dynamics Ltd | 1,591.90 | 2,096.60 | 10.57 |
| HDFC Bank Ltd | 1,978.70 | 2,037.70 | 18.66 |
| BSE Ltd | 2,485.20 | 3,030.00 | 176.32 |
| Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd | 4,544.00 | 5,165.00 | -6.71 |
| Apollo Hospitals | 7,730.00 | 7,635.00 | 11.29 |
How to Track Most Active Stocks Daily?
Tracking the most active stocks daily helps you spot high-volume opportunities and stay updated on market trends. Here’s where and how you can track the most active stocks:
- NSE India website: Go to the “Most Active Stocks” section under Market Data and filter by volume or value. High value often indicates strong institutional interest, while high volume may suggest retail activity or momentum trades.
- Moneycontrol & Economic Times Markets: Both offer live updates on the most traded stocks in NSE with intraday charts, sector-wise breakups, and news triggers that might be driving the movement.
- TradingView: Use its stock screener to filter active stocks by volume, turnover, or percentage change. You can also add alerts when a stock crosses a certain volume threshold.
- Brokerage apps (like Zerodha, Upstox, Angel One): Most apps have a “Market Movers” or “Most Active” tab. Combine these with watchlists for quick access to actively traded stocks you follow regularly.
When using filters, always check both volume and value together. A high-volume stock with low traded value might be moving on penny-price action, while a high-value stock with moderate volume could indicate large transactions in higher-priced stocks.
Risks of Relying Only on Most Traded Stocks
Most active stocks and actively traded stocks create opportunities for short-term gains, but relying only on these stocks comes with its own set of risks.
Some key risks to watch out for are:
- High volatility: Price swings in most traded stocks can be rapid and unpredictable, leading to quick losses if you mistime your trades.
- Herd mentality: Following a stock just because it’s popular often leads to late entries when most of the move is already over.
- Overreaction to news: Active stocks in NSE frequently react sharply to announcements, but these moves may reverse just as fast.
- Weak fundamentals: A stock’s presence on the most active list doesn’t guarantee business strength; some are driven purely by speculation.
- Short-term bias: Focusing only on actively traded stocks can shift your strategy toward short-term gains and away from long-term stability.
FAQs
What are the most active stocks?
The most active stocks have the highest trading volumes within a given time frame, indicating significant buying and selling activity. In India, some most common active stocks include Reliance Industries, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Tata Consultancy Services, and Infosys.
How can I find active stocks on NSE?
To find active stocks on the NSE website that list the most traded stocks in real-time, both by volume and by value.
Are most active stocks good for day trading?
Most active stocks can be good for day trading because high trading volumes often lead to better liquidity and tighter bid-ask spreads. However, actively traded stocks are not always profitable for intraday trades: price volatility, market news, and timing all play a big role.
What’s the difference between active stocks and top gainers?
The difference between active stocks and top gainers is that active stocks are ranked by trading volume, while top gainers are ranked by percentage price increase in a given period. A stock can be among the most active stocks in NSE without being a top gainer if it has high trading volume but little or no price change. Similarly, top gainers may not always be the most traded stocks if their price surge comes on relatively lower volume.
Do actively traded stocks always perform well?
Actively traded stocks do not always perform well—high trading volume can signal interest and momentum, but it can also occur during heavy sell-offs. Many of the most active stocks experience spikes in volume because of corporate news, earnings reports, or market speculation, but these moves can be short-lived.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be considered as financial or investment advice. Investing in stocks involves risk, and it is important to conduct your research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. The author and publisher are not responsible for any financial losses or gains that may result from the use of this information.
