Sensex ends down 96pts at 15,699

Mirroring weakness in the global markets, the Sensex opened with a negative gap of 83 points at 15,712. The index tried to recover but could only manage to touch a high of 15,771 - still 24 points short of yesterday's close.

A heavy bout of selling in noon trades saw the index tumble to a low of 15,573 - down 222 points from yesterday's close. Fresh buying towards the end saw the index cut losses and eventually settle at 15,699 - down 96 points.