The downward trend continued in the stock markets on Tuesday with the benchmark Sensex closing below 15,000 points level by losing nearly 177 points as selling pressure in heavyweight stocks mainly in banking, realty and metal sectors showed no signs of lessening.

Smart rally in capital goods, banks and realty counters helped the Indian benchmark Sensex to extend its overnight gains by 224 points at 10:30 hours.

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex gained for the second straight day on Thursday on continuing buying support in heavyweight stocks, particularly Reliance Industries.

After the meltdown on Monday, the benchmark Sensex dropped another 338 points, stretching the downward trend for the fourth day in a row, with banking stocks sliding on reports of ICICI Bank reporting a market to market loss of 264.34 million dollar.

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex today plummeted by 523 points, its biggest loss in the last two weeks with software and metal stocks falling on reports of contraction in US service industry.

The benchmark Sensex on Monday tumbled by 769 points on fears foreign investment will slow down in the wake of rising inflation in the US that will limit interest rate cuts.

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex went up by 122 points in early trade on sustained buying by funds in heavy-weight stocks, despite weak global trend.

Tracking firm global trend, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex opened 247 points higher in early trade on emergence of buying by funds in heavy-weight stocks.

Stock market barometer BSE Sensex today registered its biggest one-day gain of 893.58 points to settle at the third-highest level ever on buying by investors in bank counters and blue chips such as Reliance Industries.

Stock market benchmark Sensex fell 385 points on Monday on profit booking by funds in heavy weight scrips of banking, capital goods and refinery sectors, the 30-share index touched the day's low of 19,502.45 and a high of 20,009.35 points.

Indian stock markets touched record highs this week as foreign investors pour massive funds into one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. But as Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, there are concerns that the sharp rise in the markets could lead to volatility.

The benchmark Sensex and Nifty touched their historic highs during the week under review notwithstanding, the market moved southwards on SEBI's proposal to restrict foreign fund inflows in equity markets, snapping 8-week unprecedented bull run.