The benchmark index Sensex tumbled over 400 points led by heavy selling by funds across board and negative European markets. Banks, realty and power stocks face the brunt ahead of inflation data. Nifty fell below 4,300 mark.

BSE Midcap and Smallcap index shed 2.04% and 1.83% respectively.

Indian equities opened on a weak note followed by weak global cues and profit booking in frontliners. The 30-share index, BSE Sensex belled the day at 14,646.98, down 31.25 points from the previous day`s close.

European markets opened weak on concerns high oil prices would impact economy and spike inflation. FTSE 100 was down 0.60%, CAC 40 fell 1.29%  and DAX declined 0.76%.

Asian stocks witnessed negative trend on Thursday, led by financial companies, on concern that credit losses will widen further and corporate profit will suffer due to slowing economic growth.

The Sensex ended the day with a hefty loss of 434.50 points, or 2.96% at 14,243.73 after touching a high of 14,646.98 and a low of 14,201.18. The broad-based NSE Nifty declined 132.15 points, or 2.99% at 4,283.85 after hitting a high of 4,418.55 and a low of 4,271.30.

Major gainer in the 30-share index was Ranbaxy Laboratories (1.53%).

On the other hand, State Bank Of India(7.10%), HDFC Bank (5.82%), NTPC (5.68%), DLF (5.55%), Reliance Energy (5.45%), and ICICI Bank (5.19%) were the biggest losers in the Sensex.

Overall market breadth was sharply negative. Out of the total 2,713 stocks traded at BSE, 733 advanced, 1,914 declined, while 66 remained unchanged.

	Indices Trend
		Sensex		Nifty
Period	Value	% Change	Value	% Change
1 Week	15,093.12	(5.63)	4,529.05	(5.41)
1 Month	13,850.04	2.84	4,159.50	2.99
3 Months	16,907.11	(15.75)	5,025.45	(14.76)
6 Months	17,349.07	(17.90)	5,110.75	(16.18)
1 Year	14,424.87	(1.26)	4,190.15	2.24