Sensex dives further, down over 76 points

Continuing its losing streak for the sixth straight session, the benchmark BSE Sensex fell another 76 points in early trade on Tuesday on sustained selling by funds and retail investors coupled with weakening global markets.

The 30-share index was trading down 76.59 points, or 0.28%, at 26,446.50, with stocks of realty, healthcare, consumer durables, FMCG, metal, power and oil &gas leading the fall.

 The gauge had lost 1,325.90 points in the previous five straight sessions.

On similar lines, the NSE Nifty shed 27.85 points, or 0.34%, at 8,016.30.

Brokers said sustained selling by participants on prevailing drought fears and a weak trend in global markets amid concerns of an early interest rate hike by the US Fed after Friday's strong jobs report mainly dampened mood.

Among other Asian markets, Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.19% and Japan's Nikkei shed 0.80% in early trade. 

The US Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 0.46% lower in yesterday's trade.