The Sensex fell 264.55 or 2.9 per cent to 8,965.20. The index declined 1.4 per cent this week. The S&P CNX Nifty Index on the National Stock Exchange fell 73.60 or 2.6 per cent to 2,714.40.
The BSE 200 Index slid 2.4 per cent to 1,055.85. The Sensex fall was led by software exporters, after it was reported that Infosys Technologies would freeze hiring next year.