Sensex down 142 points in early trade

The benchmark S&P BSE Sensex declined by over 142 points in early trade on Monday as funds and retail investors indulged in reducing positions ahead of the current account deficit data amid a weak trend in global markets. The 30-share index, which had lost 166.58 points in the previous session, fell by another 142.04 points, or 0.72 per cent, to 19,585.23. Stocks of banking, realty, metal and oil and gas sectors led the fall. Similarly, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 38.40 points, or 0.66 per cent, to 5,794.80.

Brokers said sustained selling by participants ahead of the June quarter current account deficit data to be released later today and a weak trend in Asian markets on concerns over a US budgetary impasse, dampened the trading sentiments here. Among other Asian markets, Japan’s Nikkei was down 2 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng shed 1.12 per cent in early trade. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.46 per cent down in Friday’s trade.