The Sensex closed 200.85 points lower, or 0.27 per cent, at 73,828.91, while the Nifty ended down by 73.30 points, or 0.33 per cent, at 22,397.20. Both the BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices fell by 0.7 per cent each.

The trends on Gift Nifty also indicate a positive start for the Indian benchmark index. The Gift Nifty was trading around 22,567 level, a premium of nearly 37 points from the Nifty futures’ previous close.

Even though domestic macros improved with the cooling-off of inflation further, Indian equities currently are reeling under the global distress.