The benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 20 points in early trade today on sustained selling by funds, ahead of the industrial output data for January, amid a weak trend in the global markets.
The 30-share index declined by 20.59 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 21,805.83 with metals, auto, PSUs, banking and oil & gas sectoral indices leading the fall. The index had lost 108.41 points in the previous session.
The National Stock Exchange Nifty moved down by 5.65 points, or 0.09 per cent, to 6,506.25.
Brokers said besides profit-booking by speculators after the recent rally, a cautious approach adopted by funds ahead of industrial production (IIP) data for January to be released later in the day, contributed to the decline.
Besides, a weakening trend in the global markets dampened the trading sentiments here, they said.
Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 1.13 per cent while Japan's Nikkei fell 2.17 per cent in early trade today.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.41 per cent lower on profit-booking in yesterday's trade.
