Mumbai, Dec 5 (IANS) A benchmark index for Indian equities Monday pared most of its intra-day losses and closed on a dull note.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened at 16,812.3 points, closed at 16,818.62 points (provisional), 28.21 points or 0.17 percent down from its previous close at 16,846.83 points.

It had slipped over 155 points in morning trade to an intra-day low of 16,691.21 points.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also ended lower at 5,043.55 points, down 0.13 percent or 6.6 points from its previous close.

The Sensex and the Nifty had rallied over 7 percent in the previous week.

Broader markets also closed lacklustre with the BSE 500 index edging 0.05 percent down.