The benchmark Nifty witnessed sustained profit-booking in frontline shares of FMCG, Energy, IT and Banking counters to finish below the crucial 7,500- level to 7,486.15, losing 45.65 points.
Profit-booking in key bluechips after recent gains drifted the key index to end lower amid mixed Asian cues due to caution ahead of European Central Bank (ECB) policy meet, underpinned by volatility crude oil prices.
The broader mid-cap and small-cap company shares also traded negative, while modest buying witnessed in Metal and Pharma segments.
Elsewhere, Asian markets ended mixed as investors digested another round of Chinese economic data and a surprise interest rate cut by the New Zealand central bank, while European shares were trading lower before a European Central Bank (ECB) meeting later which is expected to unveil more stimulus measures.
The 50-share broader index opened higher at 7,545.35 and hovered in a range of 7,547.10 and 7,447.40, before closing at 7,486.15, showing a loss of 45.65 points, or 0.61 per cent.
Major losers were Infy (3.05 per cent), BHEL (3.02 per cent), Reliance (2.88 per cent), Bank of Baroda (2.69 per cent), GAIL (2.26 per cent), SBIN (1.58 per cent) and ITC (1.19 per cent).
Notable gainers were Hindalco (3.33 per cent), Cairn (2.82 per cent), HDFC (2.17 per cent), Asian Paint (2.12 per cent) and Maruti (1.42 per cent).
Of the total 1,606 stocks traded, 881 ended lower, 659 finished higher, while 66 ruled steady.
Turnover in cash segment decline to Rs 17,181.83 crore from Rs 18,248.94 crore yesterday. A total of 8,502.35 lakh shares changed hands in 69,10,590 trades.
The market capitalisation of NSE stood at Rs 90,07,488 crore.
