Sensex closes 223 points down

In similar fashion,the wide-based National Stock Exchange8217;s Nifty touched the day8217;s low of 4,806.70,ended with a loss of 63.80 points at 4,941.75.

Stocks,currency and bonds also fell as investors shied away from riskier emerging market assets over losses stemming from Dubai Worlds attempt to reschedule its USD 59 billion debt.

The rupee and bonds retreated,with the currency joining stocks in posting its biggest drop in more than three months,brokers said,and added the US dollar rebounded to edge over the rupee over Rs 47 was a magic change.

In the 30-share Sensex,25 closed with heavy losses while five were higher on investment buying. These were Bharti Airtel,Grasim,Hero Honda,Reliance Infra and Tata Steel.