Sensex in red, realty, banking under selling

Mumbai, March 26 (IANS) Indian equities markets were trading in the red Monday noon with realty, banking and power stocks under selling pressure amid weak cues from other Asian bourses.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,377.59 points, was ruling at 17,128.92 points around 12.20 p.m., down 232.82 points or 1.34 percent compared to its previous close at 17,361.74 points.

The Sensex had closed lower Friday, logging its fifth consecutive weekly loss.

The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also was trading lower at 5,214.55 points, down 63.65 points or 1.21 percent from its previous close.

Broader markets were quiet too with the BSE 500 index trading 1.19 percent down. The BSE midcap index was ruling 0.92 percent lower, while the BSE small cap index were trading 0.86 percent down.

The market breadth was negative with 839 stocks advancing, 1,705 on the decline and 111 remaining unchanged.

Asian markets were sombre as traders considered the chances of a global economic slowdown. Data from China and Europe last week had pointed to a slump in their respective economies.

The Japanese Nikkei index closed flat at 10,018.24 points.

Hong Kong's index was also ruling on a quiet note at 20,651.72 points, while the Chinese Shanghai Composite index was trading 0.36 percent lower at 2,340.99 points.

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