Sensex opens down 49 points; healthcare, IT decline

The benchmark BSE Sensex fell 49 points in early trade, weighed down by losses in healthcare, IT and consumer durables, amid a weak trend in Asian markets.

The 30-share index fell 48.84 points, or 0.19%, to 24,917.56.

The gauge had lost 371.16 points in the previous session.

On similar lines, NSE Nifty edged lower by 13 points, or 0.17%, to 7,602.10.

Brokers said profit-booking in recent gainers and a weak movement at other Asian markets as investors awaited a speech by US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen later in the day, triggered selling.

Elsewhere in Asia, Japan's Nikkei was down 0.58% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng shed 0.36% in morning trade. The Shanghai Composite Index was trading 1.14% lower.

The US Dow Jones, however, ended 0.11% higher in Monday's trade.