Sentiments turned bearish on the eve of the release of key economic data points, leading to a barometer index of the Indian equity markets closing 204 points down provisionally on Monday.
The barometer 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) receded by 204 points or 0.72 percent (at 3.30 p.m.).
The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also ended the day's trade in the red. It declined by 59 points provisionally or 0.69 percent at 8,505.70 points.
The S&P BSE Sensex, which opened at 28,250.78 points, provisionally closed at 28,032 points -- down 204.39 points or 0.72 percent from the previous day's close at 28,236.39 points.
The Sensex touched a high of 28,417.59 points and a low of 28,017.85 points in the intra-day trade.