Sensex plunges over 216 points, ends below 32,000-mark

Mumbai: Stock market closed down for the third session on Wednesday as the Sensex plunged by over 216 points to end below the 32,000-mark.

Tension flared up between the US and North Korea over the the latter's ballistic missile programme, which cast a shadow on domestic stocks here.

Healthcare, auto and financial stocks lagged.

Selling pressure also gathered momentum following muted June quarter earnings by some companies, they added.

The Sensex recovered partially before settling down 216.35 points, or 0.68 percent, at 31,797.84 -- its lowest closing since July 18.

The gauge has now lost 527.57 points in three sessions.

The NSE Nifty also remained under pressure and was down 70.50 points, or 0.71 percent, to close at 9,908.05. Intra- day, it cracked below the 9,900-mark to touch 9,893.05.

Overseas, Asian stocks ended lower and European shares were down in their early deals.