Market Update: Sensex Falls 173 Points In Afternoon Trade, Nifty Below 22,700, VIX Jumps 4%

Last Updated:October 14, 2026, 2:12 PM IST

Gains in information technology, fast-moving consumer goods and oil and gas shares provide some support, while rising volatility reflects cautious investor sentiment.

Stock Market Today.

Indian equity benchmarks remained under pressure in afternoon trade on Wednesday, October 14, as losses in banking, financial services, pharmaceutical and auto stocks weighed on the market. Gains in information technology (IT), fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and oil and gas shares provided some support, while rising volatility reflected cautious investor sentiment.

The BSE Sensex was trading at 72,860.96, down 172.82 points or 0.24%, at 2:01 pm. The index had opened at 73,049.76 and touched an intraday high of 73,195.26 before falling to a low of 72,578.75.

The NSE Nifty 50 was down 69.05 points, or 0.30%, at 22,652.90, compared with its previous close of 22,721.95. The index opened at 22,715.75 and moved between an intraday high of 22,757.95 and a low of 22,558.95.

Market volatility increased during the session, with India VIX, the volatility gauge, rising 4.07% to 14.70.

IT stocks continued to outperform the broader market, helping limit the benchmark indices’ losses. The Nifty IT index rose 1.21%. The Nifty FMCG index advanced 1.05%, while the Nifty Oil & Gas index climbed 1.32%. The Nifty Chemicals index gained 0.94%, and the Nifty Media index rose 0.55%.

Among other gainers, the Nifty Consumer Durables index advanced 0.53%, while the Nifty PSU Bank index edged up 0.20%.

However, losses in financial services and healthcare stocks remained a major drag on the market. The Nifty Financial Services 25/50 index declined 1.06%, while the Nifty Financial Services index fell 0.96%.

The Nifty Financial Services ex-Bank index dropped 1.30%, and the Nifty Healthcare and Nifty Pharma indices fell 1.24% and 1.34%, respectively. The Nifty Auto index declined 0.53%, while the Nifty Metal index lost 0.49%.

IT heavyweights were among the top performers on the Sensex. Infosys surged 2.66%, while Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) gained 1.78%. Reliance Industries advanced 1.58%, and Hindustan Unilever rose 1.31%.

Tech Mahindra climbed 0.98%, while NTPC gained 0.82%. Other gainers included UltraTech Cement, HCL Technologies, Bharat Electronics and ITC.

On the losing side, Bajaj Finance declined 1.74%, while Mahindra & Mahindra fell 1.57%. Eternal lost 1.45%, Larsen & Toubro slipped 1.36%, and ICICI Bank declined 1.25%.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries fell 1.91%, while InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo) dropped 2%. Adani Ports, Titan, Trent and HDFC Bank also traded lower.

The broader market displayed a mixed trend, with several midcap and smallcap indices outperforming the frontline benchmarks. The Nifty Midcap 100 gained 0.16%, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 rose 0.10%.

Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said, “Rising crude oil prices amid escalating Middle East tensions remain a significant concern. WTI crude has moved towards the $95-per-barrel region, keeping inflationary and external-balance risks elevated. Continued uncertainty surrounding regional energy supplies could limit the sustainability of the domestic market recovery.”

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Why did Indian equity benchmarks trade under pressure during the afternoon session on October 14, 2026?

Indian equity benchmarks remained under pressure during the afternoon trade on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, due to losses in banking, financial services, pharmaceutical, and auto stocks. Meanwhile, rising volatility and concerns over climbing crude oil prices fueled by Middle East tensions added to the cautious investor sentiment.

How did major IT stocks and benchmark indices perform on October 14, 2026?

The BSE Sensex traded down 172.82 points at 72,860.96, and the NSE Nifty 50 dropped 69.05 points to 22,652.90 during the afternoon session. However, IT stocks and sector gainers like Infosys and TCS outperformed the broader market, helping limit steeper benchmark losses.

What external economic factors are currently posing concerns for the domestic stock market recovery?

Rising crude oil prices moving toward the $95-per-barrel region amid escalating Middle East tensions remain a major concern. This upward pressure elevates inflationary risks and external-balance worries, which could limit the sustainability of the domestic market recovery.

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