The BSE benchmark Sensex fell by over 81.43 points in the opening trade today on emergence of profit—booking at higher levels amid weakening Asian trend.
The 30—share index, which had lost 109.62 points in the previous session, fell by 81.43 points, or 0.43 per cent, to 18,600.88 in first five minutes of trading.
Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange Nifty Index shed 26.20 points, or 0.46 per cent, to 5,758.05.
Brokers said investors indulged in profit—booking following upsurge in the past few seasons.
They said, the sentiments further dampened on weakening Asian trend.
The Asian markets were down as risk sentiment was dented by lacklustre earnings from leading US companies, and a bigger—than—expected fall in exports from Japan, a key driver of the world’s third—biggest economy.
Meanwhile, in the Asian region, Japan’s Nikkei was down by 0.81 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index up 0.07 per cent.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.52 per cent lower in Friday’s trade.
