Top stocks to watch, Oct. 19 -- The Indian stock market is expected to open higher on Monday, October 19, as indicated by GIFT Nifty. The index was trading around 23,174.5, up nearly 80 points or 0.35% from the previous close of Nifty futures, signalling a positive start for domestic benchmark indices.

On Friday, Indian equities ended higher for the second consecutive session, with the Sensex rising over 400 points and the Nifty 50 moving back above the 23,100 mark. Information technology stocks led the gains, climbing more than 3% amid sustained buying interest driven by corporate earnings.

The Sensex closed at 74,729.27, advancing 413.66 points or 0.56% from its previous close of 74,315.61. The Nifty 50 settled at 23,146.15, gaining 1...