Sensex down 171 points tracking Asian cues

Falling for the third straight session, the benchmark BSE Sensex plunged over 201 points in early trade on Friday, while the National Stock Exchange (NSE) Nifty dipped below the crucial 7,800-mark on sustained selling by funds and retail investors amid weak global cues.

However, at 1101 hours, the 30-shares index had recovered slightly and was trading at 25,717.64, still down 168.98 or 0.65% from previous day's close. 

Sectoral indices like IT, FMCG, banking and realty stocks lead the fall with losses of up to 1.09%.The Sensex had lost 282.79 points in the previous two sessions. 

On similar lines, the NSE Nifty had dropped below 7,800-mark by falling 76.45 points, or 1.23%, to 7,787.70 in early trade. However, at 1101 hours, it recovered to trade at 7,800-level -- it was trading at 7,800.15, down 64 points of 0.81% from previous day's close. 

Brokers said persistent selling by participants following hefty losses across Asia and other global markets, as an anticipated revision of the European Central Bank's stimulus programme fell short of expectations, mainly dampened the sentiments.

Furthermore, depreciating rupee against the dollar also negatively impacted sentiment, they said.

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In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei moved down by 1.92% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng fell 1.23% in early trade on Friday. Shanghai Composite Index (SSCOM) shed 0.74%. The US Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 1.42% in Thursday's trade.