The BSE benchmark Sensex on Thursday fell by over 52 points in early trade as funds and retail investors booked profits after recent gains, amid a weak trend in other Asian markets.
The 30-share barometer declined by 52.92 points, or 0.27 per cent, to 19,451.26. The index had gained 217.46 points in the previous two sessions.
Stocks of auto, FMCG, consumer durables, capital goods and power sectors were major losers due to profit-booking.
Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 19.25 points, or 0.32 per cent, to 5,910.95.
Brokers said selling, mostly with the intention of booking profits, by funds after two sessions of gains amid weakening trend on other Asian bourses after US stocks tumbled on the back of weak employment and manufacturing data, mainly influenced the trading sentiment here.
In the Asian region, Japan’s Nikkei Index was down 0.57 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index shed 0.26 per cent in early trade.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.94 per cent lower in yesterday’s trade.
