Mumbai: The BSE benchmark Sensex fell nearly 72 points to slip below the 8,900-mark in early trade today owing to increased selling in various counters by participants in recent gainers.
Besides, mixed global cues also influenced investors sentiment, pulling the 30-share barometer down by 71.80 points or 0.24% at 28,854.56 in early trade.
The index had lost 51.66 points in the previous session.
Sectoral indices led by IT, teck, bankex, consumer durables and power were trading in the negative zone, falling up to 3.06%.
The NSE Nifty was trading down by 21.05 points or 0.23% at 8,896.90.
Brokers said increased selling by investors to book profits at prevailing higher levels and mixed global cues dampened sentiments here.
Shares of state-owned ONGC was trading higher by 3.22% at Rs 253 despite the company yesterday reported a 21% drop in June quarter net profit as oil prices slumped and its output fell.
In Asia, Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.24 per cent, while Shanghai Composite Index was quoting 0.15% lower in early trade today. However, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was up 0.35%.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.06% lower in yesterday’s trade.