The BSE Sensex opened sharply higher at 24,804.64 and moved in a range 24,909.22 to 24,514.72 before quoting 24,631.61 at 1115 hours, down 50.42 points or 0.20 per cent.
The 50-share Nifty also moved down by 26.20 points or 0.35 per cent to 7,484.10 at 1115 hours.
Major losers were, TCS (2.65 pc) followed by Adani Ports (2.20 pc), Larsen (1.88 pc), Lupin (1.18 pc), ICICI Bank (1.58 pc) and Axis Bank (1.50 pc) and Wipro (1.31 pc).
Meanwhile, Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) sold shares worth Rs 540.99 crs yesterday, as per provisional data.
In overseas markets, Asian shares rallied, after Chinese data trade data beat expectations, offering a rare hope for the global economy.
US stocks ended higher yesterday, led by gains in technology and healthcare, while oil market continues to dominate investor sentiment.