Sensex Today: Falls 460 Points to 73,249 for a Third Day as Crude Crosses $110

Three sessions, three losses. The Sensex today fell 460.30 points (0.62%) to 73,249.39 on Thursday, 22 October 2026, as Brent crude climbed above $110 a barrel after fresh attacks in Saudi Arabia, according to news reports. The Nifty 50 lost 123.70 points (0.54%) to 22,687.65. Unlike Wednesday, there was no IT rally to soften the blow.

Sensex today and the main indices

Nifty and sector figures are from NSE’s index data timestamped 22 October, 3:30 PM. The Sensex close is as reported by PTI and Business Standard; BSE’s site blocked our automated check. Within the Nifty 50, 14 stocks rose and 36 fell.

Lower all day

The Sensex opened more than 550 points down, per NDTV, and touched an intraday low of 73,005.11, down 704.58 points, per PTI. The Nifty’s low was 22,554.85. Both indices pared some losses into the close.

Since Friday, 16 October, the Sensex has lost 1,479.88 points (1.98%) and the Nifty 458.50 points (1.98%), on our calculation.

What dragged the market

• Heavyweights: Reliance Industries, Eternal and HDFC Bank were among the biggest Sensex drags, PTI reported, along with Power Grid, Trent, Asian Paints, Infosys, ITC, Bharat Electronics, Mahindra & Mahindra, TCS and Larsen & Toubro.
• FMCG and media: Nifty FMCG fell 1.41%, with 14 of 15 stocks lower; Nifty Media lost 2.35%.
• IT gave back gains: after Wednesday’s 2.88% jump, Nifty IT fell 1.05%, with nine of ten stocks down.
• Energy: Nifty Energy fell 1.05%, with 32 of 40 constituents lower.

Pharma was the one sector in the green, up 0.12%. Banks held up better than the rest: Nifty Bank fell just 0.09% and the PSU Bank index edged up 0.07%.

Why oil matters so much

India imports most of its crude. Expensive oil raises fuel and transport costs, widens the trade deficit and puts pressure on the rupee, which opened at 94.47 to the dollar, according to NDTV. It also feeds inflation. RBI’s MPC minutes, released on Wednesday, already said rate cuts were off the table in the near term; our report on the minutes explains why. Markets are also waiting for the US Federal Reserve’s next policy decision.

Small caps fell again, though less sharply than Wednesday’s 2.37% slide. Our 21 October market report has that session.

After Sensex today: what to watch on Friday

• Oil overnight. Any further jump in Brent will set the tone at the open.
• Jio Platforms IPO, final day. Institutional bids often rise sharply on the last day of a large issue.
• Liquidity. RBI will run a ₹50,000 crore three-day repo auction on Friday morning to cover the weekend.
• Results. More September-quarter earnings arrive through the week; bank and consumer results have moved stocks sharply.

What it means for you

A 2% fall over three sessions is uncomfortable but not unusual. SIP investors in index or large-cap funds do not need to change anything; regular instalments buy more units when prices are lower. If you are bidding for the Jio Platforms IPO, which closes on Friday, keep the blocked amount in your bank account; our Jio IPO guide has the timetable. This report is for information only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

FAQs

What was the Sensex close on 22 October 2026?

73,249.39, down 460.30 points or 0.62%, as reported by PTI.

Why did the market fall?

Higher crude oil prices after attacks in Saudi Arabia, worries about inflation and caution before the US Fed decision, according to reports.

Which sector rose?

Only pharma, up 0.12% on NSE’s Nifty Pharma index.

Takeaway: The Sensex today fell for a third day, to 73,249.39, as crude crossed $110. FMCG, IT and energy led losses while banks held steady. Long-term investors need not react, but expect more swings while oil stays high.