The 30-share Sensex opened on a firm note following overnight gains in the US stock markets as a series of mixed reports about US retail sales and employment data during August made investors more optimistic about the chances of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Though the Sensex gained 248.39 points or 1.62% in the last one week, it, however, closed in the negative on Friday as fresh selling emerged when the European markets dipped. The Sensex closed at 15,590.42 points, down by 25.89 points or 0.17%. On the other hand, the broader Nifty too closed in the red, down by 9.10 points or 0.28% to end the day at 4,505.75 points. Meanwhile, wholesale price index was reported at 3.79% in the 12 months upto 25 August, lower than the previous week?s 3.94%, due to a decline in some food prices.