Sensex loses 326 points; bank stocks fall

A benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed Wednesday's trade down 326 points or 1.28 percent as bank and oil and gas stocks declined.

The markets were cautious amidst weak global cues as a result of the worsening security situation in Iraq with crude oil prices scaling up to a nine-month high.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 25,565.19 points, closed trade at 25,194.99 points (provisional), down 326.20 points or 1.28 percent from the previous day's close at 25,521.19 point.

The Sensex touched a high of 25,609.28 points and a low of 25,114.30 points during the intra-day trade.

The S&P BSE bank index was down 214.70 points, oil and gas index moved lower by 212.91 points, metal slipped 176.93 points, capital goods index fell 172.10 points, automobile index was lower by 157.28 points and consumer durables index lost 155.50 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also in the negative territory, down 73.50 points or 0.96 percent at 7,558.20 points.