Global equities were largely in the red as weak factory output data from China, Europe and the United States stoked fears of a slowing global growth.
Subdued domestic macro fundamentals with GDP growth slowing in the June quarter and easing Indian manufacturing PMI also cast a long shadow over sentiment.
Market was expected to react positively after the government yesterday decided not to retrospectively levy Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) on capital gains made by Foreign Institutional Investors.
However, the rally was short-lived as fears that China-led global slowdown will hit emerging economies including India stifled new bets.
The BSE Sensex, which resumed higher at 25,891.95 advanced further to the day's high of 25,939.37.
However, on emergence of profit-booking it slipped into the negative zone and hit a low of 25,395.09 before settling 242.88 points or 0.95 per cent down at 25,453.56 -- its lowest close since August 8, 2014 when it closed at 25,329.14.
BHEL was the worst Sensex performer by tumbling 5.10 per cent, followed by M&M 3.56 per cent.
Other losers included ONGC (3.55 pc), SBI (3.55 pc), Coal India (3.07 pc), NTPC (2.95 pc), HDFC (2.81 pc), Axis Bank (2.77 pc), HUL (2.55 pc), ICICI Bank (2.36 pc), Cipla (1.99 pc), Bajaj Auto (1.97 pc) and L&T (1.89 pc).
Among BSE sectoral indices, power suffered the most by losing (2.43 pc), followed by PSU (2.37 pc), bankex (1.81 pc), capital goods (1.69 pc), auto (1.37 pc) and metal (1.34 pc).
Meanwhile, foreign investors sold shares worth Rs 675.32 crore yesterday, as per provisional data.
