The benchmark Sensex fell by over 178 points in early trade on the Bombay Stock Exchange today following heavy profit selling by funds.
The 30-share index which was on record making spree and about to touch the 19,000 points mark, plunged by 178.39 points at 18,635.68 in the first five minutes of trade on heavy selling as funds felt that the market rally was overdrawn.
Similarly, the wide-based National Stocks Exchange's Nifty fell by 58.25 points at 5,466.60 on increased selling in blue-chip stocks led by power and banking segments.
The market sentiment also turned bearish following a fall in global stock market.
