The Sensex snapped a 11-session climb to settle 1.39 per cent (67.24 points) lower at 4,782.03, off an intra-day high of 4,900.92.
Steel, automobile and bank stocks, which were at the forefront of the recent rally, fell the most as investors took an opportunity to cash out.
According to data released by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), foreign institutional investors (FIIs) bought Indian shares for a net $96.1 million on Monday, taking their net purchases in October alone to $654 million.
FIIs have invested a net $3.65 billion into the Indian bourses in 2003 (till Monday). This is nearly five times their total inflows last year.
Rajat K Jain, chief investment officer at Principal AMC, told Business Standard,