Trending Stocks Today, August 21, 2026: PC Jeweller, Kwality Wall’s, Vodafone Idea, Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar in Focus

Mumbai, August 21: PC Jeweller, Vodafone Idea, Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar and Kwality Wall’s India were among the most actively traded stocks on the NSE by volume on Friday, with sharp moves driven by company-specific developments. PC Jeweller rose 4.37% after its latest debt repayment update, while Kwality Wall’s India gained 6.23% and extended its recent rally. On the other hand, Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar fell 3.81% after the government allowed duty-free sugar imports, while Vodafone Idea was marginally lower as investors assessed its three-year turnaround plan. 

PC Jeweller Limited (up 4.37%)  

PC Jeweller shares jumped on Friday after witnessing losses in the previous session. Over a week, it is up 3.8% and over a month it is down 0.7%. This year so far it is up 7.6%.  

On Tuesday, the jewellery retailer said it had cleared and repaid all outstanding debt owed to eight of its 14 consortium banks, strengthening its balance sheet and keeping the company on track to become debt-free during the current quarter. 

PC Jeweller said it had cleared the outstanding debt of one more bank, taking the total number of consortium lenders whose dues have been fully repaid to eight. All these repayments were completed ahead of their scheduled due dates. 

The company added that it has also discharged more than 96% of the outstanding debt owed to the remaining six consortium banks. With less than 4% of the outstanding debt left to be repaid to these lenders, PC Jeweller said it remains firmly on track to achieve its debt-free target in the ongoing quarter. 

Vodafone Idea Limited (down 0.07%) 

Vodafone Idea shares remained under pressure on Friday as investors weighed the telecom operator’s three-year turnaround strategy, which aims to revive growth, strengthen its network and regain market share after years of financial stress. 

At the heart of the plan is a Rs 45,000-crore network investment over the next three years, with the company targeting faster 4G expansion and a wider 5G footprint. Vodafone Idea plans to add around 3,500 4G sites every month and expand 4G services across 17 key circles over the next 18 months. 

The operator also intends to extend its 5G network to more than 200 additional cities over the next two quarters, as it attempts to close the gap with larger rivals Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel. 

Vodafone Idea sees network improvement as a critical lever for rebuilding its competitive position. Better coverage, improved data speeds and wider 5G availability are expected to help the company reduce churn, attract new users and encourage existing subscribers to upgrade to higher-value plans. 

The telecom operator is targeting double-digit revenue growth over the three-year period and aims to triple its cash EBITDA. Stronger cash generation would give the company greater flexibility to fund network expansion while also meeting its existing financial obligations. 

However, investors remain focused on whether Vodafone Idea can secure sufficient funding to execute the ambitious investment programme. 

The company is in discussions with public and private sector banks as well as overseas lenders to raise additional capital for network expansion and other requirements. 

Vodafone Idea has already secured a Rs 6,400-crore funding tranche and placed network equipment orders worth around Rs 9,000 crore. Deliveries and deployment are expected over the next two quarters or earlier. 

The company will need to raise additional funds to sustain the planned pace of investment. Investors are therefore likely to monitor fundraising progress closely, particularly given Vodafone Idea’s existing financial commitments and the scale of its proposed capital expenditure. 

CEO Abhijit Kishore has expressed confidence in the turnaround plan, pointing to continued promoter support and ongoing discussions with lenders. 

The government’s conversion of Vodafone Idea’s telecom dues into equity has also made it the company’s largest shareholder, providing an additional layer of institutional support as the operator attempts to strengthen its balance sheet and operations. 

The latest strategy follows Vodafone Idea’s first-quarter results, where the company’s loss narrowed and average revenue per user, or ARPU, improved, offering some signs of operational recovery. 

For investors, the success of the turnaround will ultimately depend on whether the company’s network investments translate into measurable improvements in operating performance. 

The key indicators will include subscriber additions, lower churn, higher ARPU, market-share gains and stronger cash generation. While the Rs 45,000-crore investment programme provides a clearer roadmap for growth, execution and financing remain significant risks. 

Vodafone Idea’s ability to secure the required capital without putting additional pressure on liquidity will be crucial. Equally important will be its ability to convert network expansion into higher customer acquisition and retention. 

The three-year plan marks a shift in strategy for India’s third-largest telecom operator—from stabilising its finances and operations towards pursuing sustainable growth. However, the credibility of the turnaround will ultimately depend on how quickly the planned investments translate into stronger revenue, improved market share and a more sustainable financial position. 

Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar Limited (down 3.81%)  

Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar shares fell on Friday after the government allowed duty-free imports of up to 1 million metric tonnes of raw sugar, raising concerns over domestic sugar prices and realisations for producers. 

The government has permitted duty-free imports until October 31, 2026, marking India’s first significant sugar imports in nearly a decade. The move is aimed at increasing domestic supplies and cooling sugar prices, which have surged amid tightening availability ahead of the festival season. 

The policy intervention could weigh on sugar producers such as Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar by increasing domestic availability and potentially limiting the benefit of elevated sugar realisations. Sugar prices have risen sharply in recent months, with domestic prices climbing nearly 40% over two months. 

Bajaj Hindusthan Sugar was among several sugar stocks to decline following the announcement. Dalmia Bharat Sugar fell 5.47%, Dwarikesh Sugar Industries dropped 4.32% and Balrampur Chini Mills declined 4.15%, while Triveni Engineering, Uttam Sugar Mills and EID Parry also traded lower. 

Kwality Wall’s (India) Limited (up 6.23%) 

Kwality Wall’s (India) continued to rise on Friday, the stock having risen 28% in a week. Last Friday, Kwality Wall’s India posted a strong first quarter as a standalone listed company, with organic sales increasing 16.6% year-on-year for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. Volume growth was at 14.9%, supported by new product launches, premium offerings and expansion of its distribution network. 

Revenue for the quarter stood at ₹867.8 crore. The company’s EBITDA before exceptional items was ₹104.9 crore, taking the operating margin to 12.1%, an improvement of 166 basis points from the year-ago period. 

Kwality Wall’s India was separated from Hindustan Unilever through a demerger and subsequently listed on Indian stock exchanges in February 2026. As the ice cream business was not a standalone listed entity before the demerger, the company has provided pro forma financials for Q1 FY26 for comparison. 

Source

•  NSE