Sensex ends down 345pts at 17,747

The Sensex opened marginally (28 points) higher at 18,120, and touched a high of 18,129 in early deals.

The index soon slipped into negative zone on weak global markets. Persistent weakness saw the index slip deeper into red , and dropped to a low of 17,684 - down 445 points from the day's high.

Some recovery towards the end saw the Sensex finally end (provisional) with a loss of 345 points at 17,747.