After remaining subdued till mid-noon deals, the Sensex, on an unabated selling pressure across-the-board towards the closing hours slipped to a low of 4,839.

The Sensex finally ended 79 points lower at 4,852. The Nifty, too, remained weak through the session, but slipped sharply by the closing bell to finish with a loss of 26 points at 1,543.

Reliance came under sharp correction towards the closing hours, and shed nearly 2% (Rs 8) to Rs 481. While ITC closed down a per cent (Rs 7) at Rs 876, HLL also slipped from higher levels, and ended down a rupee at Rs 194.

SBI had a firm outing till mid-noon deals, but faltered towards the end to finish 2% lower (Rs 10) at Rs 487. BHEL remained weak through the session, and dropped nearly 4% (Rs 17) to Rs 440. HPCL, too, lost ground since opening trades, and declined 4% (Rs 14) to Rs 325. MTNL lost 3% (Rs 4) to Rs 116.

Infosys traded off-gains through the session, but slipped heavily towards the closing bell to finish with a loss of 3% (Rs 129) at Rs 4,608. While HCL Tech lost 2% (Rs 4) to Rs 202, Satyam, too, ended in the red at Rs 305 - down Rs 4.

Hindalco, however, in a lacklustre market, remained firm on sustained buying support, and ended 2% higher (Rs 26) at Rs 1,119. Tisco dropped 3% (Rs 12) to Rs 344.

Auto, cement and pharma stocks, too, joined the sellers list and ended with sharp losses.