Sensex closes 277 points down in choppy trade

Indian equities markets closed lower on Monday with a benchmark index falling 277.16 points. Realty, banking and telecom stocks were among the worst losers. 

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,347.76 points, closed at 17,096.68, down 277.16 points or 1.60 percent. 

Top losers included Hindalco, Jindal Steel, DLF, BHEL and Infosys. 

Among the top gainers were Sun Pharma, ONGC, RIL, NTPC and HDFC. 

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also ended lower at 5,200.60, down 90.25 points or 1.71 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were quiet too with the BSE 500 index closing 1.70 percent down. The BSE midcap index closed 1.67 percent lower, while the BSE small cap index ended 1.54 percent down.