Buy or sell: Gift Nifty signals gap-down start, Vaishali Parekh recommends three stocks to buy today — 23 July 2026

Indian markets are poised for a gap-down opening on 23 July 2026, with Gift Nifty trading around 120 points below Wednesday's spot Nifty close. Investor sentiment remains fragile amid escalating Middle East tensions after Houthi rebels reportedly attacked two Saudi oil tankers, pushing WTI crude toward $88 and Brent above $95 a barrel, while pressure on the Indian rupee adds to concerns. Analyst Vaishali Parekh recommends buying Hindustan Zinc at ₹533, Sanathan Textiles at ₹490, and ONGC at ₹251.90, noting Nifty 50 has crucial near-term support at 23,800 and Bank Nifty faces support at 56,500.