FINAL TRADE: Sensex down 248 pts; Nifty settles at 19,624.7

Stock market today: Domestic equity indices settled lower for the second consecutive day on Thursday, October 19, amid broad-based selling. Market sentiments were also hurt by escalating tensions in the Middle East, which triggered volatility in oil prices and a selloff in global stocks.

At close, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 247.78 points, or 0.38 per cent, at 65,629.24, and the NSE Nifty was down 46.4 points, or 0.24 per cent, at 19,624.7.

In the broader market, the Nifty Mid Cap 100 ended lower, whereas the Small Cap 100 settled in positive territory.

On the sectoral front, Nifty Bank also ended lower by 0.31 per cent at 43,754.5.

"The prevailing Israel-Palestine conflict and the hardening of the US and Iran's positions in this war-like situation have dampened investor confidence. This is reflecting in the stock markets, and if the global situation does not improve, markets will continue to slide further," said Mahendra Luniya, Chairman, Vighnaharta Gold Limited.

Thirty-three stocks in the Nifty basket finished the day below the flatline, with Wipro, Tech Mahindra, NTPC, Sun Pharma, and UPL being the worst hit, with losses to the tune of 1.22 to over 3 per cent. Conversely, Bajaj Auto, LTIMindtree, Hero MotoCorp, Nestle and UltraTech Cement were the top gainers, rising between 2.86-6.55 per cent for the day.

Wipro, NTPC, and Tech Mahindra were the top stocks that dragged the 30-scrip index.

BUZZING STOCKS 

Astral shares were down over 6 per cent after posting a tad lower-than-expected results in the September quarter.

MMTC shares touched the lower circuit of 10 per cent a day after Zee Business' report on the Farzi bull run.

Wipro shares were down 3 per cent after posting less-than-expected results.

Bandhan Bank shares were down nearly 3 per cent after registering below-than-estimated Q2 numbers on all parameters.

Oracle Financial Service Software shares were down over 3 per cent after posting weak results.

Conversely, Bajaj Auto stock was up over 6 per cent post-Q2 results; it also recorded a new high during the session.

LTIMindtree was up over 5 per cent at close post-Q2 results.

Nestle India shares ended over 3 per cent higher post-results.

Catch the latest stock market updates here. For all other news related to business, politics, tech, sports and auto, visit Zeebiz.com.