Extending yesterday's losses, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 139 points in early trade today due to continued foreign capital outflows and persistent selling by investors amid muted corporate earnings.
Besides, weakness in the rupee which fell to a fresh three-month low of 63.43 against the dollar, negatively impacted investor sentiments.
The 30-share index was trading down by 139.29 points, or 0.50 per cent, at 27,595.73 with weakness in stocks of consumer durables, realty, capital goods, banking and power sectors, causing the decline.
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On similar lines, the National Stock Exchange Nifty dropped 50.35 points, or 0.60 per cent, at 8,347.95.
Cairn India shares plunged 2.34 per cent to Rs 208.60 after the company yesterday reported its biggest loss of Rs 241 crore in the fourth quarter ended March 31.
Brokers said continued capital outflows by foreign funds on persistent concerns of foreign investors on tax claims despite the government's clarification, muted earnings and forecast of a below-normal monsoon, mainly dampened the sentiments.
A weak trend at other Asian markets too triggered selling on the domestic bourses, they said.
Meanwhile, Infosys' shares fell 0.08 per cent to Rs 2,120.95 ahead of its Q4 earnings to be released later today.
Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 0.33 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei shed 0.80 per cent in early trade today.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.11 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.