The BSE Sensex ended the trading session on October 22, 2026, in the red, declining 460.30 points, or 0.62 per cent, to close at 73,249.39. The NSE Nifty 50 also settled lower, shedding 123.70 points, or 0.54 per cent, to end at 22,687.65 as rising crude oil prices, weakness across Asian markets and concerns over inflation dampened investor confidence. The Sensex and Nifty continued their downward trajectory for the third straight trading session, with selling pressure weighing on benchmark indices.
Among individual stocks, Eternal, the parent company of Zomato and Blinkit, advanced after reporting a sharp rise in quarterly profit. Meanwhile, Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services came under pressure amid concerns over funding costs and potential changes to insurance distribution regulations.
Why Are Sensex And Nifty Falling Today?
Crude Oil Rally Raises Concerns
Rising international crude oil prices emerged as a key drag on domestic equities. Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, climbed nearly 2 per cent to $110.68 per barrel following fresh attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels in Saudi Arabia. The developments also prompted the United States to direct some diplomats and their family members to leave its missions in the kingdom.
Higher oil prices are a concern for India, a major crude importer, as they can increase the country’s import bill and fuel inflationary pressures. Oil marketing companies, paint manufacturers and tyre makers are particularly vulnerable to rising input costs.
RBI Minutes Keep Interest Rate Concerns Alive
Minutes from the Reserve Bank of India’s latest Monetary Policy Committee meeting, released on Wednesday, indicated that additional rate hikes could be necessary to bring inflation under control. However, the members did not advocate aggressive monetary tightening, highlighting the potential consequences for economic growth.
The possibility of higher borrowing costs added to investor caution amid concerns about inflation and the broader economic outlook.
Asian Markets Tumble, US Futures Weaken
Global market signals remained unfavourable for Indian equities. South Korea’s Kospi dropped 3.12 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng fell 3 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei 225 declined 1.94 per cent, and the Shanghai Composite slipped nearly 1 per cent.
US stock futures also fell by as much as 1.3 per cent, pointing towards a potentially weak start for American markets.
Rupee Slips, India VIX Climbs
The Indian rupee weakened by 12 paise to 94.50 against the US dollar in the interbank foreign exchange market. It opened at 94.47 before losing further ground, with elevated crude prices and weakness in domestic equities weighing on the currency.
Meanwhile, the India VIX, which measures expected market volatility, rose nearly 6 per cent to 16.55. The increase pointed to heightened uncertainty and caution among investors.