Erasing its’ early gains, the B S E benchmark Sensex nosedived by 145 points at the midsession on Thursday, on emergence of profit-booking on reports of a rise in food inflation.

Food inflation for the week ended 27th November, rose to 8.69 per cent from 8.60 per cent in the previous week.

The Sensex, which had opened 74.61 points up, fell by 145.17 points to 19,551.31 at 1210 hours amidst the decline in consumer durable and realty sector stocks.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 43.70 points to 5,860.00 level at the same time.

However, oil sector stocks remained buoyant on expectations of a hike in fuel prices, and cushioned the bourses’ fall to some extent.