Mumbai, July 1 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities markets Friday closed 85 points lower on profit booking.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 18,974.96 points, closed at 18,760.58 points (provisional), down 85.29 points or 0.45 percent from its previous close at 18,845.87 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also closed in the red at 5,624.85 points, down 0.4 percent.

Broader markets too fell, with the BSE midcap index ending 0.67 percent lower and the BSE smallcap index closing 0.87 percent down.