Mumbai, April 18 : A key benchmark index of Indian equities markets closed 299 points lower Monday.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 19,389.74 points, closed at 19,090.69 points (provisional), down 299.09 points or 1.54 percent from its previous close at 19,386.82 points.

It had risen to an intra-day high of 19,649.22 points in early trade.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange too ended in the negative, at 5,743.45 points, down 1.39 percent.

Broader markets were in the red as well with the BSE midcap index closing 1.3 percent down and the BSE small cap index down 0.76 percent. (IANS)