Sensex ends down 79pts at 15,666

The Sensex opened 36 points lower at 15,755, but aggressive buying in Reliance, TCS and Larsen & Toubro saw the index rally to a high of 15,954 - up almost 200 points from the day's open in noon deals.

The index, however, could not hold gains as weakness in banking and telecom stocks dragged the index into negative zone in late noon trades. The index slipped to 15,655 - down almost 300 points.

The Sensex finally ended (provisional) with a loss of 124 points at 15,666.

The NSE Nifty dropped 23 points to end (provisional) at 4,724.