Sensex ends below 21,000; heavyweights drag

Sensex was down 278 points at 20,862 and the Nifty gave off 86 points to close at 6,215

Markets slipped for the second consecutive day as profit booking emerged in blue chips. At the close the Sensex was down 278 points at 20,862 and the Nifty gave off 86 points to close well below the 6,300 mark at 6,215 (provisional).