BSE Sensex opens down over 300 points amid weakness in global markets

The benchmark BSE Sensex opened over 300 points lower on Thursday morning amid weakness in global markets. Markets have been shedding value since the first trading session of the year on the back of growing worries about the health of the global economy and the Chinese economy. 

The 30-share Sensex opened over 300 points lower, however, at 0937 hours, it recovered slightly but was still largely below the red line. BSE Sensex was at 24,614.89, down 239.22 points or 0.96% lower. 

In China, the main stock exchanges -- Shanghai and Shenzhen -- were trading down over 1%. However, the downside was capped by better-than-expected December trade data released by the country on Wednesday.

All the indices including, S&P BSE 100, S&P BSE 200, S&P BSE MidCap, S&P BSE SmallCap were all trading over 1% down in early trade.