Sensex ends down 120pts at 17,480

The index, however, could not hold gains and slipped into the negative zone. The index dropped to a low of 17,457 - down 279 points from the day's high in late noon deals. The Sensex finally ended (provisional) with a loss of 120 points at 17,480.

The NSE Nifty slipped 35 points and settled (provisional) at 5,193.