Mumbai, Aug 8 (Reporter) Erasing Wednesday's gains, the BSE Sensex on Thursday tumbled down 581.79 pts to settle at 78,886.22 on profit booking by local operators. The National Stock Exchange (NSE) slipped 180.50 pts at 24.117. Jumping over 800 pts on Wednesday, the BSE Sensex opened on a weak note at 79,420.49, declining 48 pts. During the day it plummeted 670 pts at 78,798.94, day low, before closing at 78,886.22, slumping 581.79 pts from its previous close. Meanwhile, it was moved up 158 pts at 79,626.92, a day high. The equity market was under pressure as selling was witnessed in Metal, IT, Technology, and Oil and Gas stocks. Metal fell by 2.07 pc followed by IT by 1.98 pc, Technology by 1.55 pc and Oil and Gas by 1.52 pc. RBI today kept its key rates unchanged for the ninth consecutive time in its bi-monthly RBI policy which was announced on Thursday. The Mid cap eased 0.47 pc and Small cap by 0.20 pc. In 30 scrips, 25 advanced while 5 declined. The losers were Asian Paints by 3.56 pc to Rs 2990.30, Infosys by 2.91 pc to Rs 1739.90, JSW Steel by 2.56 pc to Rs 884, Ultrasemco by 2.49 pc to Rs 11258.85 and Powergrid by 2.43 pc to Rs 343.55. The gainers were Tata Motors by 1.72 pc to Rs 1040.55, HDFC Bank by 0.99 pc to Rs 1641, Bharti Airtel by 0.56 pc to Rs 1449.75 and IndusInd Bank by 0.27 pc to Rs 1348.50...////...