Sensex plunges in late trade, closes 345 points lower

MUMBAI - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets Friday plunged sharply in late selling, ending trade 345 points lower.

The BSE 30-share benchmark index, which opened on a positive note at 19,982.75 points, closed at 19,585.55 points (provisional), down 345.09 points or 1.73 percent, compared to its previous close at 19,930.64 points.

At the National Stock Exchange (NSE), the 50-share S&P CNX Nifty closed at 5,880.5 points, down 1.97 percent.

Broader markets closed in the red too, with the BSE midcap index closing 2.08 percent lower while the BSE smallcap index ended 2.21 percent dlown.