The Sensex opened almost flat at 20,033 - up two points - but soon slipped to lower levels as the day progressed owing to weak cues from the global markets. A heavy bout of selling in the late noon deals saw the index plunge to a low of 19,177 - down 856 points from the day's open.The Sensex finally ended (provisional) with a loss of 747 points at 19,284.
