By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for Indian equities Friday closed 153 points lower, even as state-run oil companies gained after the government announced the deregulation of fuel prices.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,705.11 points, closed at 17,576.74 points, 153.5 points or 0.87 percent down from its previous close at 17,730.24 points.
At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the broader 50-share S&P CNX Nifty shut shop at 5,266.7 points, down 1.01 percent from its previous close at 5,320.6 points.
Broader markets too ended in losses with the BSE midcap index ending 0.73 percent lower and the BSE smallcap index 0.58 percent down.