The benchmark Sensex fell for the first time in five days to end about 186 points lower on Thursday on broad-based selling after global markets slipped amid downbeat Chinese manufacturing data and fears of more US stimulus cuts.

After gaining nearly 530 points in the past four sessions, the Sensex dropped 186.33 points, or 0.90 per cent, to 20,536.64 as recent gainers in the banking, metal and oil & gas packs ended in the red.

The 50-scrip NSE index Nifty dropped 61.30 points, or one per cent, to end at 6,091.45. In the past four days, it had gained over 150 points.

Global stocks witnessed a volatile session after HSBC and Markit Economics said their index of Chinese manufacturing fell to 48.3 from January’s final figure of 49.5.

A number below 50 indicates contraction.

The Chinese data spooked investors who were nervous after minutes of the US Fed’s January gathering released on Wednesday showed several policy makers were in favour of stimulus cuts.