By IANS,
Mumbai : A benchmark index for Indian equities markets fell further Monday, with traders taking cues from the negativity at other Asian bourses.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the BSE, which opened lower at 16,297.03 points, was ruling around noon at 16,179.31 points, down 192.2 points or 1.17 percent from its previous close at 16,371.51 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the red, 54.7 points or 1.12 percent lower at 4,851.1 points.
Both benchmarks had lost about 5 percent last week as the European debt crisis continued to plague Indian investors.
Broader markets were also ruling lower with the BSE midcap index down 1.05 percent. The BSE midcap index was trading 0.81 percent lower, while the BSE smallcap index fell 0.46 percent.
The market breadth at the BSE was negative with 982 stocks advancing and 1,523 scrips declining. Another 119 remained unchanged.
Among gainers on the Sensex were: Maruti Suzuki, Coal India, Jaiprakash Associates and Sun Pharma while the losers included BHEL, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto and RIL.
Asian markets were ruling lower as investors remained unconvinced over an early resolution to the European debt crisis indicating doubts over the ability of political leaders in the zone.
The Japanese Nikkei closed 0.32 percent down at 8,348.27 points, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was ruling 1.27 percent lower at 18,256.03 points.
The Chinese Shanghai composite index