Sensex opens 44 points down on profit-booking, thin Asian trade

The benchmark BSE Sensex fell by over 44 points in early trade due to profit-booking by investors after recent gains amid weak Asian cues.

The 30-share barometer declined by 44.41 points or 0.18% to 24,572.56 with indices, IT, teck, consumer durable, healthcare and realty stocks, leading the fall.

The index had gained 393.65 points in the last two sessions.

Also, the NSE Nifty was trading lower by 7.30 points or 0.10% at 7,481.80.

Brokers said apart from profit-booking in recent gainers, a weak trend in other Asian bourses, mainly influenced the sentiment.

In the Asian region, Japan's Nikkei shed 0.17% in early trade, while China's Shanghai Composite index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng remained closed for public holiday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.29% lower in Friday's trade. 

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended 1.29% lower in Friday's trade.