Mumbai :The benchmark BSE Sensex fell over 93 points to slip below the 27,000-mark in early trade today as participants cut down bets in view of the October series expiry in the derivatives segment amid weak Asian cues.
The 30-share barometer fell 93.42 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 26,946.34 after opening in positive zone. The gauge had lost 431.03 points in the previous three sessions.
Losses in FMCG, banking, power, PSU, IT, capital goods and oil&gas stocks dragged the Sensex down.
Also, the NSE Nifty declined 23.65 points, or 0.28 per cent, to 8,147.55.
Brokers said squaring-up of positions by participants with today being the last trading session of the October derivatives expiry dampened sentiment.
A weak trend at other Asian bourses after the Federal Reserve hinted at a possible US interest rate hike in December also hit sentiment.
Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was down 0.39 per cent, Japan’s Nikkei fell 0.14 per cent, while Shanghai Composite shed 0.09 per cent in early trade today.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.13 per cent higher in yesterday’s trade.
The rupee depreciated by 27 paise to 65.20 against the dollar in early trade today on strong month-end demand for the US currency from importers.
Forex dealers said dollar strengthening against other currencies overseas after the US Federal Reserve signalled it may raise interest rates in December weighed on rupee sentiment. Stock markets opening with losses too put pressure on the domestic unit.
The rupee had recovered by 4 paise to close at 64.93 per dollar yesterday at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market.
Meanwhile, the benchmark Sensex fell 93.42 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 26,946.34 in early trade.
PTI