Stock Market Today, 1 October 2026: Gift Nifty Signals Gap-Down Start for Sensex, Nifty as US Bond Yields, Crude Oil and FII Selling Weigh

The stock market today is likely to open lower as the new month begins. Gift Nifty futures, an early indicator for the Nifty 50, were trading around 22,570 to 22,600 in early trade on Thursday, 1 October 2026, below the Nifty's Wednesday close of 22,620.45. That points to a gap-down start for the Sensex today and the Nifty today.

The weak setup for the stock market today extends a three-session losing streak. On Wednesday, the Sensex ended 48.78 points lower at 72,480.29 and the Nifty 50 fell 95.75 points, or 0.42%, to 22,620.45, as rising US bond yields and heavy foreign selling kept investors cautious.

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Why Is Gift Nifty Signalling a Gap-Down Start?

Three global factors are weighing on the stock market today. First, US bond yields remain near multi-year highs, with the 10-year Treasury yield around 5.24% and the 30-year yield climbing to 5.64% on Wednesday. Higher US yields make emerging markets like India less attractive to foreign investors.

Second, crude oil prices remain elevated as the US-Iran conflict raises worries about prolonged supply disruption from West Asia, although Brent crude has pared some gains. India imports most of its oil, so high crude prices raise inflation and pressure the rupee.

Gold prices have also come under pressure, falling to a seven-week low earlier this week as the dollar and yields climbed. Third, FII selling, the biggest drag on the stock market today, has turned relentless. Foreign institutional investors sold shares worth Rs 10,148.41 crore on Wednesday, while DII buying by domestic institutional investors totalled Rs 11,271.73 crore, according to provisional data. FPI outflows in 2026 have reached a record of about Rs 2,60,302 crore, about 57% higher than in all of 2025.

Global Cues for the Stock Market Today

Market / Indicator	Latest	Move
Gift Nifty (early, 1 Oct)	About 22,570 to 22,600	Down 80 to 140 points
Dow Jones (30 Sep close)	50,906.05	-0.86%
S&P 500 (30 Sep close)	7,651.54	-0.25%
Nasdaq (30 Sep close)	26,861.06	+0.24%
US 10-year Treasury yield	About 5.24%	Near multi-year high
Asian markets (1 Oct)	Mostly lower	Weighing inflation outlook

For the stock market today, overnight cues are mixed. Wall Street gave up early gains on Wednesday after data suggested the US economy was stronger than expected, keeping bond yields high. The S&P 500 ended September with a small loss, while the Dow fell 4.3% for the month.

Sensex Today and Nifty Today: Previous Session Recap

Index	Close (30 Sep)	Change
Sensex	72,480.29	-48.78 (-0.07%)
Nifty 50	22,620.45	-95.75 (-0.42%)
Nifty Midcap 150	21,867.50	+0.06%
Nifty Smallcap 250	17,798.80	+0.29%

Heading into the stock market today, the Nifty 50 had ended September with a fall of about 6% and the September quarter with a fall of about 5%, while broader markets held up better. Metal and pharma stocks were among Wednesday's laggards.

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Stocks in Focus in the Stock Market Today

• Moneyview and A-One Steels India: Both make their stock market debut today. Moneyview's Rs 1,091.68 crore issue was subscribed about 98 times and A-One Steels' Rs 405 crore issue about 11.6 times.
• NSE: Received SEBI's no-objection for futures contracts on a corporate bond index.
• Tech Mahindra: The board will meet on 15 October to consider Q2 results, an interim dividend and a bonus issue.
• YES Bank: Received an order determining a Rs 363 crore tax refund for AY 2017-18 and Rs 258 crore from a trust in its security receipts portfolio.
• NCC: Won two orders worth Rs 500.22 crore in September.
• Blue Dart Express: Announced a 9% to 12% price increase effective 1 January 2027.
• Auto stocks: September sales numbers from Maruti Suzuki, M&M and others are due today.

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Nifty Today: Key Levels to Watch

For the Nifty today, Wednesday's low of about 22,595 is the first support level. A break below it could take the index toward the 22,500 zone. On the upside, 22,800, Wednesday's intraday high area, is the first hurdle, followed by 23,000, which the Nifty lost earlier this week. India VIX, the fear gauge for the stock market today, ended Wednesday at about 13.5, suggesting volatility remains moderate despite the selling.

What Should Investors Watch Today?

The biggest factors for the stock market today are FII flows, crude oil prices, US bond yields and news from the US-Iran conflict. Since the stock market today is the last session of the week, with markets shut on Friday for Gandhi Jayanti and the weekend to follow, traders may avoid carrying large positions into a three-day break. Long-term investors can use volatility to add quality stocks gradually rather than reacting to a single session.

Bottom Line on the Stock Market Today

The stock market today is set for a gap-down start, with Gift Nifty below 22,600 as high US bond yields, elevated crude oil and record FII selling weigh on sentiment. Watch 22,595 and 22,500 on the Nifty for support, and track the Moneyview and A-One Steels listings and September auto sales data. Consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making trading decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Stock Market Today

How will the stock market open today, 1 October 2026?

Ans. Gift Nifty futures were trading around 22,570 to 22,600 early on 1 October 2026, below the Nifty's previous close of 22,620.45, pointing to a gap-down start for the Sensex and Nifty.

Why is Gift Nifty signalling a gap-down opening?

Ans. High US bond yields, elevated crude oil prices linked to the US-Iran conflict and heavy FII selling are weighing on sentiment. FIIs sold Indian equities worth Rs 10,148.41 crore on 30 September.

How did Sensex and Nifty close on 30 September 2026?

Ans. The Sensex closed 48.78 points lower at 72,480.29, while the Nifty 50 fell 95.75 points, or 0.42%, to 22,620.45, marking a third straight session of losses.

What are the Nifty support and resistance levels today?

Ans. Wednesday's low of about 22,595 is the immediate support, followed by the 22,500 zone. On the upside, 22,800 and then 23,000 are the key resistance levels.

How much have FPIs sold in 2026?

Ans. Foreign portfolio investors have pulled out a record of about Rs 2,60,302 crore from Indian equities in 2026, about 57% more than the Rs 1,66,286 crore outflow in all of 2025, according to market reports.

Which stocks are in focus today?

Ans. Moneyview and A-One Steels India list today. NSE got SEBI's nod for corporate bond index futures, Tech Mahindra will consider a bonus issue, YES Bank got a Rs 363 crore tax refund order and NCC won orders worth Rs 500.22 crore.

Is the stock market open on 2 October 2026?

Ans. No. Indian stock markets are closed on Friday, 2 October 2026, for Gandhi Jayanti, so Thursday is the last trading session of the week.