MUMBAI: The BSE Sensex fluctuated wildly as investors grappled with fine-print of Narendra Modi government's maiden Budget and finally ended 72 points down at nearly two-week low of 25,372.75.

Sensex closed lower as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's pledge to narrow the fiscal deficit and open up sectors such as insurance and defence were offset by disappointment over the lack of major reforms.

The BSE index's third straight day of losses were also a result of late profit-taking that wiped out mid-session gains.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced steps to strengthen investor confidence, improve fiscal situation and boost growth in the Union Budget 2014-15.

After rising to 25,920.46 points, the Sensex succumbed to profit-booking at the fag-end to touch the day's low of 25,117.00, before settling 72.06 points down, or 0.28 per cent, at 25,372.75.

Intra-day, the index swung over 800 points as investors resorted to alternative bouts of buying and selling.

Today's close is the lowest since 25,099.92 (June 27).

The broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty shed 17.25 points, or 0.23 per cent, to close at 7,567.75. It had dipped below the 7,500 mark to touch day's low of 7,479.05. Intra-day, it climbed to 7,731.05 during a volatile session.