The Sensex opened marginally (17 points) higher at 14,552, and advanced to a high of 14,591 in morning trades.

However, profit taking at higher levels capped the upmove and the index slipped into the negative zone. The index, thereafter, exhibited lacklustre movement for major part of the trading day.

The selling intensified in mid-noon trades and the index tumbled to a low of 14,234 - down 357 points from the day's high.

The Sensex finally ended with a significant loss of 279 points at 14,256.