Stock market today: Trade guide for Sensex, Nifty 50, crude oil and gold on 22 October 2026

Stock market today is set to begin with a negative indication from Gift Nifty, which was at 22,654 in the latest reading, down 74.5 points or 0.33%. US closing cues were positive, while DJI Futures were lower and European closing readings were mixed, keeping the opening setup cautious.

The previous session ended lower for both benchmarks: Sensex fell 143.21 points, or 0.19%, to 73,709.69, while Nifty 50 lost 77.6 points, or 0.34%, to 22,811.35. For stock market today, the opening response to Gift Nifty and the financial-sector follow-through will be central.

Stock market today: how the previous session ended

The previous session saw Nifty 50 open at 23,016, reach 23,120.9 and slide to 22,649.9 before closing at 22,811.35. Sensex moved between 74,682.19 and 73,229.45 after opening at 74,337.93. Nifty Bank declined 511.2 points, or 0.92%, to 54,976.9, while Nifty Financial Services fell 1.18%.

Breadth was weak, with 17 Nifty 50 advancers and 33 decliners, alongside estimated turnover of 28,849.2 crore. IT led with a 3.09% gain, followed by Crude Oil at 0.54%, while Retailing fell 2.44%, Finance lost 2.27%, Automobile & Ancillaries declined 1.72%, and Iron & Steel dropped 1.24%. Wipro, Infosys and HCL Technologies were among the leading gainers; Bajaj Finance, Zomato and Eicher Motors were among the leading losers.

What Gift Nifty signals for stock market opening

Gift Nifty signals a negative start for stock market today, standing 157.35 points, or 0.69%, below the Nifty 50's previous close of 22,811.35. Its latest reading of 22,654 was recorded at 8:23 AM IST, so the opening indication is below the prior spot close.

The gap indication puts early focus on whether Nifty 50 can hold its calculated first support zone. The Indian stock market today will also assess whether the weakness in Nifty Bank and Nifty Financial Services extends after their sharper previous-session declines.

Global market cues for stock market today

In the US, the Dow Jones last closed at 52,877.09, up 360.21 points or 0.69%, and the S&P 500 last closed at 7,778.85, up 45.28 points or 0.59%. DJI Futures were at 52,752.6 in the latest reading, down 104.5 points or 0.2%, a cue for the opening tone in the Indian stock market today.

In Europe, DAX last closed at 25,528, down 68.5 points or 0.27%. FTSE last closed at 10,752.88, up 19.88 points or 0.19%, while CAC last closed at 7,921.68, up 83.19 points or 1.06%. These mixed readings remain part of the backdrop for today's market.

Crude oil and gold check for stock market today

Brent crude was at USD 110.38 per barrel in the latest reading, up USD 1.56 or 1.43%, while WTI crude was at USD 98.24 per barrel, up USD 1.09 or 1.12%. For an importing economy, a higher crude bill can raise import costs in general terms, making crude a relevant watch point for share market today.

Comex gold futures were at USD 4,130.1 per ounce, down USD 19.9 or 0.48%, in the latest reading. Gold remains a gauge of safe-haven demand, and its direction is relevant for the market today alongside crude oil.

Nifty 50 trade guide: key levels for stock market today

For stock market today, Nifty 50's calculated pivot is 22,861, with first and second supports at 22,601 and 22,390. First and second resistances are 23,072 and 23,332. The index closed in the lower part of its previous-session range, at a 34.3% range position. A move above first resistance would shift attention to second resistance, while a move below first support would shift attention to second support.

Sensex outlook

Sensex has a calculated pivot at 73,874, first support at 73,065 and second support at 72,421. Its first and second resistances are 74,518 and 75,327. The index closed at a 33.1% range position, and for share market today these are reference levels around the opening response.

Bank Nifty outlook

Nifty Bank's calculated pivot is 55,180, with supports at 54,493 and 54,009 and resistances at 55,664 and 56,351. It closed at a 23.9% range position after touching 54,696.45. For the market today, a recovery above first resistance or a break below first support would direct focus to the next calculated reference level.

F&O expiry watch

Sensex expiry falls on Thursday, 22 October 2026. This makes Sensex derivatives activity a concrete point to track for today's market, particularly around its pivot of 73,874 and first support of 73,065.

Stocks to watch in the stock market today

Wipro Ltd.: The previous session's top Nifty 50 gainer rose 3.86% to 189.17, with a range from 183.72 to 189.75.

Infosys Ltd.: The previous session's top Nifty 50 gainer gained 3.3% to 1,168, trading between 1,147.95 and 1,170.9.

Bajaj Finance Ltd.: The previous session's top Nifty 50 loser fell 3.27% to 926, with a range from 918.7 to 968.8.

Zomato Ltd.: The previous session's top Nifty 50 loser declined 2.45% to 312.35, moving between 305.5 and 324.55.

ICICI Bank Ltd.: Among the highest-turnover Nifty 50 stocks, it rose 0.29% to 1,385 and traded between 1,383 and 1,409.7.

Reliance Industries Ltd.: Among the highest-turnover Nifty 50 stocks, it gained 0.58% to 1,209, with a range from 1,199.3 to 1,234.3.

What traders should track today

• Gift Nifty at 22,654 versus the Nifty 50 previous close of 22,811.35.
• Nifty 50 first support at 22,601 and first resistance at 23,072.
• Brent crude at USD 110.38 per barrel and Comex gold futures at USD 4,130.1 per ounce.
• Whether IT leadership persists after its 3.09% sector gain, and whether Finance weakness continues after a 2.27% fall.
• Sensex expiry and the index's calculated pivot at 73,874.

Univest Insights

Stock market today opens with a negative Gift Nifty indication despite positive US closing data. The previous session's weak breadth, lower financial indices and the lower-range closes in Nifty 50, Sensex and Nifty Bank keep early price action important.

IT was the clear positive sector group, while Retailing, Finance, Automobile & Ancillaries and Iron & Steel lagged. For traders and investors, the key signal to watch is whether Nifty 50 holds 22,601 or responds above 23,072 after the opening indication.

Published on 22 October 2026 at 8:30 AM IST. Index figures are from the previous session (Wednesday, 21 October 2026); global cues, crude oil and gold are pre-market readings.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the stock market today opening signal?

Gift Nifty was at 22,654 in the latest reading, down 74.5 points or 0.33%. It was 157.35 points, or 0.69%, below the Nifty 50's previous close of 22,811.35.

What are the key Nifty 50 levels for stock market today?

Nifty 50 has a calculated pivot at 22,861, first support at 22,601 and second support at 22,390. Its first and second resistances are 23,072 and 23,332.

How did Sensex and Nifty 50 close in the previous session?

Sensex closed at 73,709.69, down 143.21 points or 0.19%. Nifty 50 closed at 22,811.35, down 77.6 points or 0.34%.

What does Gift Nifty indicate versus the Nifty 50 close?

Gift Nifty at 22,654 was below the Nifty 50 previous close of 22,811.35 by 157.35 points. The difference was 0.69% versus the Nifty 50's previous close.

Which crude oil and gold readings are relevant?

Brent crude was at USD 110.38 per barrel and WTI crude was at USD 98.24 per barrel in the latest readings. Comex gold futures were at USD 4,130.1 per ounce, down 0.48%.

Which expiry is scheduled for Thursday, 22 October 2026?

Sensex expiry is scheduled for Thursday, 22 October 2026. Sensex has a calculated pivot at 73,874, with first support at 73,065 and first resistance at 74,518.

Disclaimer

Investments in securities markets are subject to market risks. Read all related documents carefully before investing. This pre-market guide is for informational and educational purposes only. Support, resistance and pivot levels are mathematical reference points calculated from the previous session and are not forecasts. Commodity prices are international reference quotes in US dollars and are not Indian exchange prices. Stocks mentioned are based on the previous session's price data and are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold any security.