The benchmark BSE Sensex today retreated from record high by losing over 149 points in early trade as participants booked profits ahead of the industrial output data for February, amid a weak trend in the global markets.
Stocks of realty, banking, metal and capital goods sectors led the fall. The 30-share index, which had touched a new life-time intra-day high of 22,792.49 in yesterday's trade, slipped by 149.30 points, or 0.66%, to 22,566.03. It had rallied nearly 372 points in the past two sessions.
The National Stock Exchange Nifty moved down by 41.00 points, or 0.60%, to 6,755.40.
It breached 6800 level for the first time to touch a new high of 6,819.05 in yesterday's trade. Brokers said besides profit-booking by speculators after the recent rally, a cautious approach adopted by funds ahead of industrial production (IIP) data for February to be released later in the day contributed to the decline.
Besides, a weakening trend in the other Asian markets following overnight losses on the US bourses on concerns about the valuations of high-flying technology companies dampened the trading sentiments here, they said. Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng was down 0.36% while Japan's Nikkei fell 2.88% in early trade today.
The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.62% lower in yesterday's trade.