Sensex ends below 9,000-mark, down 339pts

The Sensex opened with a significant negative gap of 9,084 - down 207 points - on the back of negative cues from the US markets. The index languished in the negative zone throughout the day amid some volatility.

At first, the index recovered partially and touched a high of 9,169, only to fall back sharply lower to 8,872. The Sensex finally ended with a loss of 339 points at 8,952.