A benchmark index for Indian equities markets on Wednesday closed 173 points lower and again below the 18,000-mark.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) which opened at 17,976.36 points, closed at 17,838.55 points (provisional), down 173.42 points or 0.96 per cent from its previous close at 18,011.97 points.
The Sensex had slipped below the 18,000-level on Monday for the first time in about two months. The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also shut shop in the red at 5,349.4 points, down 0.84 per cent. Broader markets edged lower with the BSE midcap index closing 0.57 per cent down and the BSE smallcap index 0.64 per cent lower.