The domestic stock markets posted significant losses for the third straight session, to end below the 24,000-mark, but the rupee managed to close with small gains. Showing extended weakness, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange slumped 262 points, or 1.1 percent, to a 21-month closing low of 23,759. The Nifty at the National Stock Exchange dropped 83 points, to 7,216. Banking stocks were big losers. But the rupee appreciated 5 paise, to 67.85 against the dollar. The rupee rose on dollar selling by banks and exporters, amid dollar weakness in the overseas markets. And recovering from yesterday's almost 8 percent fall, Brent crude oil futures rose 52 cents, to 30.84 dollars a barrel, while U.S. crude climbed to 28.39 dollars a barrel.