A benchmark index for Indian equities markets closed 56 points lower on Wednesday in choppy trade ahead of April futures and options expiry on Thursday and after rating agency Standard & Poor’s cut India’s growth outlook from stable to negative. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the positive at 17,225.54 points, closed at 17,151.29 points, down 0.33 per cent or 56 points. The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also ended the day 0.40 per cent down at 5,202 points.