Mumbai, Feb 23 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Wednesday closed 112 points lower as selling intensified in the last hour of trade.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,233.77 points, closed at 18,183.63 points (provisional), down 112.53 points or 0.62 percent from its previous close at 18,296.16 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange shut shop 0.6 percent lower at 5,436.3 points.

Broader markets too ended in a slump with the BSE midcap index closing 0.62 percent down and the BSE small cap index ending 0.32 percent lower.