Sensex settles 54 pts lower

The benchmark Sensex skid from its record closing high as participants took the opportunity to book profits in recent high-flying stocks. The Sensex settled 53.73 points lower at 40,248. The BSE index went on to hit a high of 40,466, before slipping to a day’s low of 40,053. The broader Nifty slipped 24.10 points to close at 11,917.20.