Nifty 50’s F&O Expiry: A Make-or-Break Moment for Traders

Nifty Faces Volatile Session on F&O Expiry Day

The Nifty 50 index is experiencing its fifth consecutive month of losses, marking the longest losing streak in nearly three decades. Today, February 27, 2025, is the monthly F&O expiry, and market analysts predict a volatile trading session with potential swings in both directions.

Key Technical Levels to Watch

  • Support Zone: 22500-22525
  • Resistance Range: 22680-22725

Traders are advised to exercise caution, as breaching these levels could lead to significant market moves.

Why is Nifty Facing a Prolonged Losing Streak?

Several factors have contributed to Nifty’s extended downturn:

  1. Global Economic Uncertainty – Rising bond yields and geopolitical tensions have led to a risk-off sentiment.
  2. FIIs Selling Pressure – Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) have been offloading equities, shifting towards safer assets.
  3. Weak Domestic Growth Indicators – Slower GDP projections and muted corporate earnings have dampened investor confidence.
  4. Interest Rate Concerns – The RBI’s stance on inflation and interest rates continues to influence market sentiment.
  5. Sectoral Weakness – Banking and IT stocks have shown underperformance, dragging the broader index down.

What to Expect on F&O Expiry Day?

  • High Volatility – Traders can expect sharp intraday movements, particularly near support and resistance levels.
  • Options Writing Impact – With heavy open interest around key strike prices, short-covering or unwinding can influence closing levels.
  • Institutional Activity – Watch for FIIs and DIIs positioning, as their trades can dictate end-of-day market moves.

Traders’ Strategy for Expiry Day

  • Follow Key Levels – Monitor price action around 22500 and 22700 zones.
  • Avoid Overleveraging – High volatility can trigger stop losses quickly.
  • Watch for Breakouts – A decisive move above 22725 could trigger fresh buying, while breaking 22500 may lead to a sell-off.

Legal & Market Insights: Case Law on Derivatives Trading

Securities and Exchange Board of India v. Rakhi Trading Pvt. Ltd. (2018)

The Supreme Court ruled that manipulative F&O trades aimed at misleading the market violate SEBI regulations. This case underscores the importance of fair trade practices in derivatives markets.

Satishkumar Gupta v. SEBI (2021)

This case reinforced that F&O traders must adhere to SEBI margin guidelines to prevent market disruptions and maintain transparency.