Nifty, Sensex Snap 4-Day Losing Streak; Nifty Midcap and Smallcap Index Jumps Over 1%

Indian stock markets witnessed a strong turnaround on Monday, October 26, 2026, with benchmark indices reversing their morning losses to finish higher. Buying in select heavyweight stocks, encouraging quarterly corporate earnings and a recovery across several sectors helped the market end its four-session losing streak.

The session began on a negative note, with the Nifty 50 opening at 22,524.40 against Friday's close of 22,600. The Sensex also opened lower as investors reacted to geopolitical uncertainty, elevated crude oil prices and concerns surrounding global interest rates.

During the initial trading hours, the Nifty slipped to 22,387.35, while the Sensex touched an intraday low of 72,514.57. However, sustained buying at lower levels helped the indices recover throughout the session.

By the closing bell, the Sensex had climbed to 73,606.75, registering a gain of 482.92 points, or 0.66%. The Nifty 50 settled at 22,753.20, advancing 153.20 points, or 0.68%. As a result, Nifty and Sensex snapped its four-day losing streak. 

The Sensex recovered 1,092.18 points from its lowest level of the day, while the Nifty rebounded 365.85 points. The recovery followed a difficult previous week, during which the Nifty declined 2.36%.

Nifty Metal and Pharma Index Lead Sectoral Gains

The recovery extended across most sectoral indices, with 10 of the 11 major sectors closing in positive territory.

Nifty Metal emerged among the strongest-performing indices, advancing approximately 1.89%. Nifty Pharma followed with a gain of around 1.54%, supported by buying in major pharmaceutical companies.

Nifty Energy gained approximately 1.13%, while Nifty IT rose around 0.72%.

Nifty Media was the only sectoral index to finish lower, declining approximately 0.49%. The index extended its losing streak to six consecutive trading sessions.

Midcap and Smallcap Indices Outperform Benchmarks

Broader market indices registered stronger gains than the Sensex and Nifty, indicating that the recovery was not restricted to large-cap companies.

The Nifty Midcap 100 index advanced approximately 1.19%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index gained around 1.38%. With Monday’s rally, both indices snapped their seven-day losing streaks. 

Brent Crude Above $114 Remains a Concern for Indian Markets

Despite the recovery in equities, elevated international crude oil prices continued to pose risks to the domestic economy.
Brent crude traded above $114 per barrel during the session amid concerns about possible disruptions to energy supplies in the Middle East. Prices had approached $117 per barrel before easing from higher levels.

Tensions involving Yemen's Houthi group and Saudi Arabian targets have heightened uncertainty surrounding regional energy infrastructure and supply routes.

Indian Rupee Weakens for Third Consecutive Session

The Indian rupee remained under pressure against the US dollar on Monday, October 26, declining approximately 0.3% to close near ₹95.19 per dollar.

The domestic currency lost around 0.8% over the previous three trading sessions amid increased dollar demand from importers, elevated crude oil prices and foreign portfolio outflows.

European Stock Markets Trade Higher

Major European benchmark indices were trading in positive territory on Monday, October 26, reflecting gains across Germany, France and the United Kingdom.

Germany's DAX index advanced 198.77 points, or 0.79%, to trade at 25,380.42.

France's CAC 40 rose 55.84 points, or 0.72%, to 7,838.66, while the UK's FTSE 100 gained 40.39 points, or 0.38%, to reach 10,730.75.

US Stock Futures Signal Positive Opening on Wall Street

US equity index futures also traded higher on Monday ahead of the regular Wall Street session.

December Dow Jones futures climbed 223 points, or 0.43%, to 52,617.00.

S&P 500 futures increased 17.50 points, or 0.23%, to 7,677.25, while Nasdaq 100 futures advanced 45.25 points, or 0.16%, to 29,163.00.