Sensex ends lower by 74 points

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex on Friday closed down by 74 points with FIIs, worried about lingering Euro zone debt crisis, resorting to further selling.

The 30-share index, which tumbled 332 points intra-day, recovered most of the day’s losses but failed to end in the positive terrain. It settled the day at 16,445.61, down of 74.07 points from its last close.

The National Stock Exchange index too Nifty fell by 16.45 to 4,931.15.

The market commenced extremely weak following a free fall in the US Dow Jones Average overnight and resultant poor show by Asian bourses.

Marketmen said sentiment turned bearish as rising US jobless claims, coupled with Euro crisis, prompted investors to shift their assets to safer bets.

Stocks in power, realty and capital goods suffered losses.

In the 30-BSE index component, 19 stocks closed with losses while 11 gained.