The Sensex ended with a loss of 75.93 points, or 0.38 per cent to 19,666.59. The gauge touched the day's high of 19,824.06.
Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty lost 30.20 points, or 0.50 per cent, to 5,971.50, after rising to 6,020.10.
Brokers said bucking a firming global trend, the investor fraternity indulged in reducing their positions before the quarterly earning season starting with Infosys on Friday.
They said the market moved between gains and losses after a drop in software exporting companies, countering a rise in auto and healthcare sectors.
Today Nifty pared all its gains of yesterday
