Sensex down 86 pts in early trade

Snapping its three-session rising streak, the BSE benchmark Sensex today fell over 86 points in early trade on selling by funds and retailers amid a weak trend in the global markets.

The 30-share barometer fell by 86.44 points, or 0.39 per cent, to 21,746.42 with stocks of banking, PSUs, capital goods, power, oil and gas and realty sectors leading the fall. The index had gained 58.25 points in the previous three sessions.

Similarly, the wide-based National Stock Exchange index, Nifty dipped below 6,500 level by falling 26.15 points, or 0.40 per cent, to 6,497.90.

Brokers said the sentiment turned weak on funds selling amid profit-booking by retail investors in line with falling trend on the other Asian markets after the US Federal Reserve hinted that the central bank could hike interest rates earlier than expected.

In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei was down by 0.52 per cent, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.87 per cent in early trade.

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.70 per cent lower in yesterday's trade.