Sensex down 75 pts on profit-booking, weak economic data

After three sessions of gains, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell by over 75 points in early trade today on emergence of profit-booking by participants amid disappointing economic data.

The 30-share index, which had rallied 712.49 points in the previous three sessions, dropped by 75.64 points, or 0.26 per cent to 29,383.50, with metal, PSU, auto, FMCG, power and banking sector stocks leading the fall.

Also, the National Stock Exchange index Nifty moved down by 30.40 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 8,926.10.

Brokers said besides profit-booking by investors, disappointing economic data with growth in eight core industries slowing to 13-month low of 1.8% in January dampened trading sentiments.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was up by 0.03 per cent while Japan's Nikkei shed 0.21 per cent in early trade today.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.86 per cent higher in yesterday's trade.