The BSE benchmark Sensex dipped below the 18,000-points mark after two months at mid-session today, due to brisk selling by funds in heavy-weight stocks, led by banking and metal sectors.

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex, which opened in a negative zone, rolled down further by 353.43 points to 17,972.66 at 1330 hours, a level last seen on March 22.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index, Nifty, lost 112.10 points to 5,374.25 at the same time.

Selling pressure gathered momentum, on concerns over inflation and rising interest rates, amid worsening signs of the Europe’s debt crisis.

The banking sector index suffered the most by 2.81 per cent to 11,817.30, while metal index dropped by 2.60 per cent to 14,728.54.

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