Stock market prediction for Monday Oct 26: Sensex, Nifty levels, top stocks to watch - Will bulls dance again?

Nifty Slips As Geopolitical Risks Weigh

The Nifty 50 ended Friday 0.39% lower at 22,600 points, capping a week in which the index shed close to 2.36% and snapped a two-week winning run. The BSE Sensex closed 0.17% down at 73,123.83. Banking and midcap counters fared worse, with Nifty Bank losing 1.10% and Nifty Midcap Select falling nearly 2.20% on Friday. Year-to-date losses for the Nifty now stand at about 13.56%, a pace that points to the index's weakest annual showing in more than ten years. Analysts attributed the pressure to geopolitical tensions and sharp swings in Brent crude prices.

Technical Levels In Focus

Market technicians see immediate support for the Nifty near 22,300, with a decisive breach possibly dragging the index towards the 22,000 psychological mark. On the upside, the 22,850–22,900 band, which coincides with the 21-day exponential moving average, is seen as a stiff hurdle. One analyst described the stance as "sell on rise" while the index stays below that zone. Another noted that the Nifty has retraced 80% of its prior six-session gain and that holding above last week's low of 22,372 could keep trade range-bound between 22,370 and 22,850. A slip below that low may open the way to the month's low of 22,180, while 23,175 remains the major resistance.

Earnings And Listings To Watch

Infosys reported a Q2FY27 net profit of ₹7,823 crore, up 6.23% from ₹7,364 crore a year earlier, and its shares closed marginally higher at ₹1,154.50. Kotak Mahindra Bank posted a 26% rise in consolidated net profit for the September quarter at ₹5,645 crore, though the stock ended 1.70% lower at ₹430.10. Reliance Industries stays in the spotlight amid the Jio Platforms IPO, whose subscription closed on Friday and whose allotment is expected to be finalised on Monday. Ather Energy, Tata Consumer Products, ITC Hotels, Dalmia Bharat, Bank of Maharashtra and APL Apollo Tubes are among companies scheduled to report Q2FY27 results on Monday.

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