Quick Answer: On Monday, October 5, 2026, the Sensex and Nifty snapped an eight-week losing streak — the longest weekly decline in 25 years. The Sensex rose 453 points (+0.63%) to 72,362.98 and the Nifty gained 122 points (+0.55%) to 22,544.50 in morning trade, led by banking stocks, softer US jobs data, and easing crude prices. Eight weeks. That is how long Indian equities had been falling, week after week, before Monday morning. The losing streak that began in early August became the longest weekly decline in 25 years — and then, on October 5, 2026, it broke. The Sensex jumped 453.28 points (+0.63%) to 72,362.98 and the Nifty 50 added 122.55 points (+0.55%) to 22,544.50 in morning trade, with banks leading a broad relief rally. One morning does not make a trend. But the snap of a 25-year record deserves an explanation — and a clear-eyed look at what could decide the rest of the week.

The numbers this morning

The rebound started at the opening bell. The Nifty opened at 22,532.40 against Thursday's close of 22,421.95 (markets were shut on Friday for a public holiday) and was trading at 22,544.50 by 9:25 AM. The Sensex opened at 72,340.95 versus a previous close of 71,909.70 and climbed to 72,362.98. Market breadth turned decisively positive: on the NSE, 2,065 stocks advanced against 821 declines. The leadership told the story of the day. Bajaj Finance jumped 3.36% to ₹980.20 to lead Nifty gainers, followed by Shriram Finance (+2.21%), ITC (+2.03%), NTPC (+1.73%), and Coal India (+1.67%). The Nifty PSU Bank index gained over 2%, and both the Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 rose more than 0.8% each — broader markets outperforming, a classic relief-rally signature. Healthcare and pharma were the exceptions, slipping into the red.

How bad the 8 weeks actually were

Context matters. Last week alone, the Nifty fell 3.1% to close at 22,421.95 — its lowest since April — while the Sensex declined 2.7% to 71,909.70. The damage was driven by a brutal combination: record foreign-investor selling, Brent crude above $100 a barrel, a sharp rise in US bond yields, and a rupee that weakened past 96 to the dollar. On Thursday, foreign portfolio investors sold ₹94.84 billion of Indian stocks — their sixth straight session of selling — even as domestic institutions bought ₹100.42 billion, cushioning the fall.

5 reasons the rebound came today

1. Softer US jobs data cooled Fed-hike fears. Weaker-than-expected American employment numbers pushed the probability of a US Federal Reserve rate hike below 25%, reviving risk appetite across emerging markets. When the Fed outlook softens, money flows back toward markets like India. 2. Crude oil eased. Brent slipped about 0.6% to $101.6 a barrel as higher Middle East exports and coordinated stock releases by G7 nations eased near-term supply fears. For an oil-importing economy, every dollar off crude is relief for inflation, the trade deficit, and corporate margins. 3. HDFC Bank's Q2 update reassured. India's largest private lender reported provisional second-quarter numbers showing advances up 16.3% and deposits up 18.8% year-on-year — solid growth that drew buyers back into banking stocks, the market's heaviest sector. 4. Accenture's strong results lifted sentiment. The IT major's better-than-expected fourth-quarter FY26 results and upbeat guidance were read as a positive signal for Indian IT demand, even though Infosys itself slipped 1.48% in early trade. 5. Leadership clarity at HDFC Bank. The bank named Anup Bagchi — currently MD & CEO of ICICI Prudential Life — as its next MD & CEO for a three-year term, cleared by the RBI, taking charge on October 27. He will be the first external candidate to lead HDFC Bank. Markets like certainty; a clean, RBI-approved succession provided it.

The HDFC Bank CEO change, explained simply

Why does one appointment move a market? Because HDFC Bank is the single heaviest stock in Indian indices — when it moves, the Nifty moves. Bagchi's appointment ends months of succession speculation after Sashidhar Jagdishan. An external CEO at India's most valuable private bank is genuinely historic, and the RBI's quick clearance removed the overhang in one stroke. Whether the choice proves inspired will take quarters to judge — but the uncertainty discount is gone for now.

IPO action: a debut, a discount, and a flatline

It was a busy day for new listings. Orient Green made a blockbuster debut, surging 51% over its issue price. At the other end, Acevector — the parent of Snapdeal — listed at a 15% discount, a reminder that not every IPO is a celebration. Runwal listed flat, and German Greens slipped 4%. The spread tells the real story of 2026's IPO market: selective, not euphoric.

3 things to watch this week

1. The RBI decision on Wednesday, October 7. The Monetary Policy Committee's meeting began today, with the Governor announcing the decision at 10:00 AM on Wednesday. The repo rate stands at 5.25% after four straight holds. A Reuters poll found nearly 60% of economists expect a 25-basis-point hike to 5.50% — which would be the first rate increase since February 2023. A hike, a hold, or even the tone of the statement could swing rate-sensitive stocks hard. 2. Q2 results season begins. With HDFC Bank's update setting an early positive tone and Accenture's numbers supporting IT, the market will now parse every large-cap result for confirmation that earnings can grow into current valuations. 3. Foreign flows and crude. The structural pressure behind the 8-week fall — FPI selling (₹94.84 billion on Thursday alone) and $100+ crude — has eased, not vanished. A sustained recovery needs foreign outflows to slow and oil to stay contained. Watch both daily.

What this means if you invest for the long term

A single green Monday after eight red weeks changes nothing about your financial plan — and that is the point. Bear phases are when SIP investors accumulate units at lower prices; the investors who stayed invested through this 25-year-record losing streak bought every dip automatically. One-day rallies are not buy signals and one-day falls are not sell signals. The only question worth asking today: is your asset allocation still right for your goals? If yes, the market's mood this week is noise.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Your move this week

This week, ignore the noise and do one useful thing: check when your next SIP date falls and confirm it is active — bear phases are when SIPs do their heaviest lifting. Then note Wednesday 10:00 AM (RBI decision) in your calendar; whatever the outcome, observe how your portfolio reacts before drawing conclusions.

Check Your SIPs
Sources: Hindu BusinessLine, Oct 5, 2026 — morning trade numbers; Reuters, Oct 5, 2026 — 25-year streak, Fed odds, Brent, FPI/DII flows, Bagchi appointment; Economic Times, Oct 5, 2026 — breadth and sector moves; goodreturns, Oct 3, 2026 — last week's closes; Financial Express live blog, Oct 5, 2026 — IPO listings. Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. Please consult a SEBI-registered investment adviser for personalized guidance. Investments are subject to market risk.