The benchmark Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex on Thursday dipped below the 24,000-mark after more than 20 months, shedding 100 points to 23,962.21. The drop was attributed to persistent selling in Asian shares, following a fresh dip in oil prices, reported PTI. The broader National Stock Exchange Nifty index also sank below the 7,300-mark.

Shares of Maruti Suzuki were the worst-hit, down 4.11%, followed by Dr Reddy’s at 3.86%. Other losers included Tata Motors, Coal India, Sun Pharma and Hindustan Unilever. Private lender Axis Bank climbed the most at 5.21%, after the company reported a 15% growth in its December quarter net profit. Wipro, Infosys, State Bank of India, Tata Steel and ICICI Bank were among the other winners.

The Indian Rupee also extended its losses by seven paise to close above the 68-mark. It ended the day at a 29-month low of 68.02 to the US dollar on sustained demand for the American currency from importers and banks, amid fall in equities. Persistent foreign capital outflows also affected the market sentiment, a foreign exchange dealer said. The rupee has lost 37 paise in two days.