Sensex Falls 133 Points, Nifty Opens Near 22,500 as IT Stocks Slide on Crude Oil Concerns

October 26, 2026

Mumbai: Indian equity benchmark indices opened lower on Monday, October 26, as selling in information technology (IT) shares, elevated crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions weighed on investor sentiment. Uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve’s policy outlook also added to market caution.

The 30-share BSE Sensex fell 133.79 points, or 0.18 per cent, to open at 72,990.04. The Nifty 50 declined 75.60 points to begin the session at 22,524.40.

In the previous trading session, the Sensex had closed at 73,123.83, while the Nifty 50 ended at 22,600.

Broader market indices also showed weakness. The BSE Midcap Select Index fell 109.17 points, while the BSE Smallcap Select Index dropped 63.88 points, or 0.77 per cent, to trade at 8,251.52.

Infosys, HCL Tech Lead Losses Among IT Stocks

Selling pressure was visible in several heavyweight stocks, particularly in the IT sector.

From the Sensex pack, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Sun Pharma, Axis Bank, ITC and Tata Steel were among the gainers. Kotak Mahindra Bank led the early gains, rising 2.77 per cent.

On the losing side, Infosys, HCL Technologies, UltraTech Cement, Hindustan Unilever and NTPC were among the major laggards. Infosys fell 3.07 per cent in early trade.

Market breadth remained negative on the NSE, with 1,841 stocks declining against 908 advancing. Another 123 stocks were unchanged.

GIFT Nifty Signals Weak Opening

GIFT Nifty also pointed to a subdued start for domestic markets. It opened 49.5 points lower at 22,558.50, compared with its previous close of 22,608.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) were net buyers on Friday, October 23, purchasing equities worth Rs 887 crore. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) continued their buying streak, investing Rs 3,236 crore in equities.

Despite the institutional buying, market sentiment remained fragile.

Sachin Gupta, Vice President of Technical Research at Choice Broking, said the recent declines in the Nifty and Bank Nifty reflected weak market sentiment despite buying interest from institutional investors.

He added that global uncertainty and elevated volatility could keep traders cautious. Market participants would watch whether key support levels attract fresh buying or selling pressure returns across heavyweight stocks.

Asian Markets Trade Mixed Amid High Oil Prices

Asian markets traded cautiously on Monday as crude oil prices remained elevated.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 318.16 points, or 0.51 per cent, to 62,375 at the time of reporting. South Korea’s Kospi declined 51.46 points, or 0.93 per cent.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng moved in the opposite direction, gaining 91.63 points, or 0.40 per cent. Shanghai’s SSE Composite Index slipped 6.56 points.

Elevated oil prices, geopolitical developments and uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve’s policy direction remained key factors for investors assessing the outlook for domestic and global equities.