Mumbai:The BSE Sensex provisionally closed 2.2 percent lower on Tuesday, as global risk appetite waned on concerns over Ireland' debt and fears of further monetary tightening in China. The 30-share BSE index provisionally ended down 2.16 percent, or 438.78 points, lower at 19,870.91 points, with 29 components losing. The 50-share NSE index provisionally closed down 2.2 percent at 5,987 points. Markets @ 12.40 PM The BSE benchmark Sensex fell below the psychological 20,000 points level today on frenzied profit -booking amid a weak trend in Asia, which also pushed the NSE's broad-based Nifty index below the magic 6,000-marker. While the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex fell by 457.19 points to 19,852.50, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty was down by 144.20 points at 5,977.40 at mid-session on speculation that central banks worldwide might raise borrowing costs to cool down inflation, constricting the availability of cash for equity investment. After a weak opening, selling pressure gathered momentum as leading Asian stock indices, led by Hong Kong and Japan, nosedived on concerns over the deepening Irish debt crisis. The regional index for Asian markets fell for the third straight session today on speculation that governments will take further steps to cool down inflation, coupled with a decline in raw material prices. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped by 0.2 per cent to 131.41 in Tokyo, with about five stocks falling for every three that climbed. Markets @ 12.00 PM Frenzied profit-booking sparked by a weak trend in Asia saw the BSE benchmark Sensex fall below the crucial 20,000 points level today, while the NSE's broad-based Nifty index also sunk beneath the magic 6,000 marker as metal and IT stocks took a beating. While the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex fell by 417.93 points to 19,991.76, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty was down by 132.95 points at 5,988.65 at 1200 hours. After a weak opening, selling pressure gathered momentum after leading Asian stock indices, led by Hong Kong and Japan, nosedived on concerns over the deepening Irish debt crisis. The regional index for Asian markets fell for the third straight session today on speculation that governments will take further steps to cool down inflation, coupled with a decline in raw material prices. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped by 0.2 percent to 131.41 in Tokyo, with about five stocks falling for every three that climbed. Markets @ 09.00 AM The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex fell by almost 64 points in opening trade today amid profit-booking and a mixed trend in the Asian region. The 30-share barometer, which had gained 152.80 points in yesterday's volatile session, fell by 63.92 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 20,245.77 points at the start of trade, with realty, capital goods, banking and technology sector stocks leading the fall. Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index also declined by 21.35 points, or 0.35 per cent, to an early-low of 6,199.25. Brokers said a fresh bout of selling by funds and retailers after the previous session's gains, coupled with a mixed trend on other Asian bourses, weighed heavily on the trading sentiment. In other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was trading lower by 0.39 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei was up by 0.60 percent in early trade today. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.08 points higher in yesterday's trade.