Top stocks to buy today (AI image)Top stock market recommendations: Aakash K Hindocha, Deputy Vice President - WM Research, Nuvama Professional Clients Group has recommended Varun Beverages, Max Healthcare Institute, and Page Industries as the top buy calls for May 21, 2026. He also shares his outlook on Nifty, and Bank Nifty.Index View: NiftyNifty has been range bound for the past 7 trading days with buyers emerging near and below 23400 while sellers cropping up above 23760. These both levels have allowed it to form an NR7 pattern and a close on either side is likely to allow a follow through for the next 300-400 points on the index. On the downside however a decisive closing below 23400 is needed for the index to test 23150 odd. Fresh upside opens above 23760 only.Bank NiftyBank Nifty as well stands with marginal cuts so far this week with Monday’s low of 52800 continues to be seen as an important support level for any larger trigger. Any dips below 53400 are set to get bought into for targets of 53900 / 54400 on the upside.Stock recommendationsVarun Beverages (BUY):LCP: 514Stop Loss: 484Target: 545After a breakout from 18-month corrective consolidation on weekly charts earlier this fiscal, charts have further given an additional short term breakout on daily charts which can act as a tailwind on the currently formed pole and flag pattern.Max Healthcare Institute (BUY):LCP: 1075Stop Loss: 1025Target: 1160Stock has rejected breaking below 950 last month and has now given a breakout on weekly charts of its correction seen for the last 10 months. There is a quick 7-8% upside unfolding.Page Industries (BUY):LCP: 38285Stop Loss: 36800Target: 40900After a strong recovery seen last month, the current pullback has allowed a pole and flag breakout on daily charts for a target of around 41,000.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India.)