A benchmark index for Indian equities markets on Wednesday slipped further around noon as selling intensified in realty and IT stocks.
The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) which opened at 17,976.36 points, was ruling at 17,851.87 points, down 160.1 points or 0.89 per cent from its previous close at 18,011.97 points.
The 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was also trading in the red at 5,351.2 points, down 0.81 per cent. Broader markets too were ruling weak with the BSE midcap index 0.54 percent down and the BSE smallcap index trading 0.43 per cent lower. Realty, IT, capital goods and telecom stocks were among major losers at this time, while consumer durables scrips rose.
The market breadth was negative with 972 stocks advancing, 1,470 on the decline and 119 unchanged. Among gainers on the Sensex were Jindal Steel, Tata Motors and HDFC Bank, while major losers included DLF, TCS, L&T and Reliance Communications.
Asian markets were in the red with concerns of a slowing Chinese economy continuing to weigh on the region's bourses. The Nikkei of the Japanese stock exchange closed 0.57 per cent down at 9,422.88 points, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was ruling 0.83 per cent down at 22,543.01 points. The Shanghai Composite index of the Chinese markets was trading 0.73 per cent lower at 2,746.9 points, 0.73 per cent down.