Indian markets closed negative on Tuesday on weak Asian cues. Slow down in Chinese international trade remained key factor that dampened investors' sentiment on the day.

While the BSE Sensex closed 67.51 points or 0.37 per cent lower at 18,219.99, Nifty at the National Stock Exchange ended 24.10 points or 0.44 per cent down at 5462.05 amid strong profit booking. Interestingly, today's correction came right after the indices on Monday touched their highest in 30 month.

As per experts, cautious trading by funds considering the fact that the US Fed will meet on Wednesday for discussing its monetary policy remained yet another reason for such a show at the market place on Tuesday.

Though auto, realty and consumer goods stocks finished the day with gains, IT, Pharma, metals and Consumer Durables weighed heavy with their losses. Blue chip IT companies like Wipro, Infosys and TCS lost 2.12 per cent, 1.41 per cent and 1.56 per cent respectively.

Tata Motors remained the day's highlight after the automaker announced a first quarter net profit of Rs. 1,989 crore as compared to a loss of Rs. 328 crore for the same period in the previous year.